The Kussharo Caldera Trail (KCT) opened in October 2024 — a roughly 25km route through the Kussharo caldera area, connecting Tsubetsu, Bihoro, and Ozora. It’s one section of the much larger 410km Hokkaido East Trail running from Kushiro to Rausu, and its official rules are short, direct, and worth reading before you go.
A note from Bear Safety Hokkaido: KCT is newer and less-travelled than Shiretoko’s trails, which cuts both ways — fewer people, but also less-established footing and no fixed bear spray rental counter on site. Plan accordingly.
The basics
- Operated by the Bihoro District Three-Town Wide-Area Tourism Association (KCT’s management office, based in Bihoro)
- Open only during the snow-free season — for 2026, planned dates are June 7 to October 31
- Mandatory user registration by QR code at each trailhead (Mokotoyama, Bihoro Pass north and south, and Tsubetsu Pass Observation Facility) — vehicle drivers also register their plate number
- Cell phone reception drops out in sections of the trail
- Only three shelter points exist along the route: Mokotoyama’s 8th station, the Bihoro Pass rest house, and the Tsubetsu Pass observation facility — plan around them, not around finding help elsewhere
What the official rules say about bears
KCT’s official rules (last checked Aug 2026) state plainly that the trail passes through habitat for brown bears and other potentially dangerous wildlife, and instruct hikers to carry a bear bell and bear spray and stay alert. The same rules note that if a bear considered a risk to trail users appears, KCT’s management can close the trail entirely — so a closure notice is worth taking seriously rather than treating as routine caution.
We didn’t find a bear spray rental counter listed on KCT’s own site. If you need one nearby, see our guide to the Doto Trail Club’s mail-order rental — it covers the same Hokkaido East Trail network KCT is part of.
One practical update: no car-camping at Tsubetsu Pass
As of a June 2026 notice on KCT’s site, sleeping in your car or drinking alcohol at the Tsubetsu Pass Observation Facility is prohibited — the stated reasons are to avoid attracting wildlife and to prevent illegal dumping. If you’re road-tripping around the lookout points rather than staying in town, this is worth knowing before you plan a night there.
This article summarizes rules published by the Kussharo Caldera Trail’s official site as of Aug 2026 and is not affiliated with its management office. Trail status, closures, and rules can change — check the official site directly before your trip.
Related Reading
→ Bear Safety in Hokkaido: Complete Guide for Hikers: https://bearsafetyhokkaido.site/bear-safety-in-hokkaido-complete-guide-for-hikers/ → The Hokkaido East Trail’s Mail-Order Bear Spray and Bear Canister Rental: https://bearsafetyhokkaido.site/the-hokkaido-east-trails-mail-order-bear-spray-and-bear-canister-rental/ → What to Know About Bears Before Hiking the Mashu-Kussharo Trail: https://bearsafetyhokkaido.site/what-to-know-about-bears-before-hiking-the-mashu-kussharo-trail/ → Ura-Mashu Outer Rim & Kami-no-ko-ike Trail: https://bearsafetyhokkaido.site/ura-mashu-outer-rim-kami-no-ko-ike-trail-what-to-know-before-you-hike/ → Source: Kussharo Caldera Trail, official rules page (Japanese): https://kct-hokkaido.jp/4
SEO Title: Kussharo Caldera Trail (KCT): Bear Safety Rules for 2026
Meta Description: What KCT's official rules say about bears, trail closures, and a new car-camping ban at Tsubetsu Pass — before you hike this new Hokkaido East Trail section.
Category: Encounter & Field Knowledge Tags: Kussharo Caldera Trail, KCT, Bihoro, Tsubetsu, Hokkaido East Trail
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