Comfortable Travel to Akan Lake: Limited-Time Operation of "Akan Lake Express" Shuttle Bus Connecting Central Hokkaido and Akan Lake
Tsuruga Travel Service has launched the limited-time shuttle bus 'Akan Lake Express,' connecting the central Hokkaido area and Akan Lake from April 7 to September 30, 2026. This service aims to reduce travel burdens and improve access to tourist destinations.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 11, 2026 at 00:28 (5h 28m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 01:01 (216h 33m after Collected)
Tsuruga Travel Service (Location: 4-6-10 Akan Koh Onsen, Akancho, Kushiro City, Hokkaido / President & CEO: Nozomi Onishi) has commenced operation of the 'Akan Lake Express,' a shuttle bus service connecting the central Hokkaido area and Akan Lake, running for a limited time from April 7 to September 30, 2026, operated by Elm Kanko Bus Co., Ltd.
This service aims to reduce the burden of long-distance travel from the central Hokkaido area to the Akan Lake region and improve access to tourist spots. The outbound route departs from Watsuka in Kitahiroshima City, stops at JR Minami Chitose Station and Otofuke Town, and then proceeds to Akan Lake Onsen. The return route, after stopping in Otofuke Town, allows passengers to disembark at New Chitose Airport, providing a convenient means of transport for travelers from outside Hokkaido.
[Details of Akan Lake Express Here](https://tsurugasp.com/tsuruga-travel/transfer_bus/89/)
**Bus Departure and Arrival Locations and Times**
**〈From Watsuka / JR Minami Chitose〉 (Operates Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays)**
Watsuka Elm Parking (10:30 departure) *Park & Ride available*
→ JR Minami Chitose Station (12:00 departure / boarding only)
→ Otofuke Town, Ryusetsu Sweetopia Garden (14:30 departure / boarding only) *Park & Ride available*
→ Akan Lake Onsen (16:30 arrival / disembarking only)
**〈From Akan Lake〉 (Operates Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays)**
Akan Lake Onsen (10:00 departure)
→ Otofuke Town, Ryusetsu Sweetopia Garden (12:00 arrival / disembarking only)
→ New Chitose Airport (14:30 arrival / disembarking only)
→ Watsuka Elm Parking (15:30 arrival / disembarking only)
**Service Overview**
**〈Operation Period〉**
April 7, 2026 (Tuesday) – September 30, 2026 (Wednesday)
**〈Fares〉 (Per person, one way / Tax included)**
**○ Normal Fare**
・Watsuka, Chitose ⇔ Akan Lake Onsen: 7,000 yen
・Otofuke ⇔ Akan Lake Onsen: 3,500 yen
**○ Tsuruga Group Hotel Guest Exclusive Fare**
・Watsuka, Chitose ⇔ Akan Lake Onsen: 3,500 yen
・Otofuke ⇔ Akan Lake Onsen: 2,500 yen
*Adults and children are the same fare (free for children under 2 years old)
*The difference between the normal fare and the guest exclusive fare is covered by the hotel.*
**〈Reservations〉**
Full reservation system (service will be cancelled if there are no reservations) / Accepted up to 5 days prior to use
Minimum number of participants: 1 person
*We may refuse reservations if seats are full.*
**Application and Inquiries**
Please contact each facility of the Tsuruga Group directly.
This service aims to reduce the burden of long-distance travel from the central Hokkaido area to the Akan Lake region and improve access to tourist spots. The outbound route departs from Watsuka in Kitahiroshima City, stops at JR Minami Chitose Station and Otofuke Town, and then proceeds to Akan Lake Onsen. The return route, after stopping in Otofuke Town, allows passengers to disembark at New Chitose Airport, providing a convenient means of transport for travelers from outside Hokkaido.
[Details of Akan Lake Express Here](https://tsurugasp.com/tsuruga-travel/transfer_bus/89/)
**Bus Departure and Arrival Locations and Times**
**〈From Watsuka / JR Minami Chitose〉 (Operates Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays)**
Watsuka Elm Parking (10:30 departure) *Park & Ride available*
→ JR Minami Chitose Station (12:00 departure / boarding only)
→ Otofuke Town, Ryusetsu Sweetopia Garden (14:30 departure / boarding only) *Park & Ride available*
→ Akan Lake Onsen (16:30 arrival / disembarking only)
**〈From Akan Lake〉 (Operates Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays)**
Akan Lake Onsen (10:00 departure)
→ Otofuke Town, Ryusetsu Sweetopia Garden (12:00 arrival / disembarking only)
→ New Chitose Airport (14:30 arrival / disembarking only)
→ Watsuka Elm Parking (15:30 arrival / disembarking only)
**Service Overview**
**〈Operation Period〉**
April 7, 2026 (Tuesday) – September 30, 2026 (Wednesday)
**〈Fares〉 (Per person, one way / Tax included)**
**○ Normal Fare**
・Watsuka, Chitose ⇔ Akan Lake Onsen: 7,000 yen
・Otofuke ⇔ Akan Lake Onsen: 3,500 yen
**○ Tsuruga Group Hotel Guest Exclusive Fare**
・Watsuka, Chitose ⇔ Akan Lake Onsen: 3,500 yen
・Otofuke ⇔ Akan Lake Onsen: 2,500 yen
*Adults and children are the same fare (free for children under 2 years old)
*The difference between the normal fare and the guest exclusive fare is covered by the hotel.*
**〈Reservations〉**
Full reservation system (service will be cancelled if there are no reservations) / Accepted up to 5 days prior to use
Minimum number of participants: 1 person
*We may refuse reservations if seats are full.*
**Application and Inquiries**
Please contact each facility of the Tsuruga Group directly.