This article is a research guide based on official information as of 2026-08-12.This is not an accommodation coverage article. Please check the availability of the cat, its physical condition, and the range you can interact with it before making a reservation.
About the photo: it does not show this inn or its resident cats
This illustration does not document the rooms or cats currently in residence.
Illustrative image (not a photograph of Kiki Kuma from Polaris or the guest room) / Photo: Silent Photographer ., Pexels
“Pension Polaris” in Teshikaga Town, Kawakami District, Hokkaido is an inn with 3 rooms where you can enjoy the great nature and starry sky around Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo. On the official website, the cats Kuma and Kiki are introduced to the members who welcome guests as “residents” of the inn.
It is clear in the official information that the cat is present, but there is no mention of the times when the cat can be seen or when it can be visited in the guest room. This site classifies it as C, and does not treat interaction with cats as a reservation benefit.
Kuma-kun and Kiki-chan
Official cat and resident introduction features Kuma-kun, who has a white pattern on his neck that resembles an Asiatic black bear, and Kiki-chan, whose name comes from the Ainu word for “scratch.”Currently, the official top page also maintains SNS posts of the two cats and a link to the cat page.
However, two of them are seniors based on their date of birth. Don’t judge the current customer service based only on old rankings or photos, and prioritize your health and lifestyle. If you would like to meet a pet, it is important to check the current situation before making a reservation, and even if they do show up, do not pick them up or chase them.
There is no official guidance regarding cats coming into the guest room, sitting with you during meals, or touching you at all times. It is appropriate to think of it as an inn where you can quietly share the daily life of the inn and cherish the time you spend together.
Night sky of eastern Hokkaido seen with a starry sky guide
Another main character of Polaris is the starry sky. The owner is qualified as a “starry sky guide,” and if the conditions are right, he will guide you through the wide skies typical of Hokkaido. The appearance of stars changes depending on the weather and moonlight, so the sky is not always full of stars.
There is a possibility of encountering wild animals such as red-crowned cranes and red foxes in the surrounding area. Avoid approaching, feeding, or suddenly stopping on the road, and observe Hokkaido’s nature from a safe distance.
Only 3 guest rooms with 2 meals included
Official Accommodation Information introduces two guest rooms with a bath and toilet of approximately 19 square meters and one guest room with a barrier-free of approximately 24 square meters. This is a small inn with a total of 3 rooms, all of which are twin rooms.
As a general rule, one night and two meals are included, and room meals are not served; meals are taken in the dining hall. The official notes that it may be difficult to accommodate food allergies or vegetarianism, so if you have dietary restrictions, please consult with us before making a reservation.
Check-in is from 16:00 to 18:00.Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m., so your itinerary must not include a late arrival. The maximum consecutive night stay is 3 nights, and as a general rule, you cannot stay inside the inn during the day.
Access and winter precautions
It is about 8 km from JR Mashu Station, about 10 minutes by car, but there is no shuttle service. Advance reservations for taxis are recommended. It is approximately 60km by car from Memanbetsu Airport and Nakashibetsu Airport, and approximately 90km from Kushiro Airport.
In winter, there are sections of the road from the national highway to the inn that are not cleared of snow, so you must follow the official access map. It is important to consider the rental car’s winter equipment and driving experience, and to make a decision not to overdo it during a snowstorm.
Basic information
| Item | Contents |
|---|---|
| Facility Name | Pension Polaris |
| Address | 30-3, Fatsutomouchi Genno 52, Teshikaga-cho, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido 088-3332 (local address: 〒088-3332 北海道川上郡弟子屈町札友内原野52線30-3) |
| Number of guest rooms | 3 rooms |
| Check-in | 16:00-18:00 |
| Checkout | 10:00 |
| Distance with cats | Kiki and Kuma are resident cats at the inn; contact range is unconfirmed |
| Official website | Pension Polaris |
Location and Google Maps
Pension Polaris (ペンションぽらりす)
〒088-3332 北海道川上郡弟子屈町札友内原野52線30-3
Summary
Pension Polaris is an inn in eastern Hokkaido offering magnificent scenery, a starry sky, tranquility with only 3 rooms, and 2 cats. Although conditions for interacting with the cats are not specified, the inn carefully introduces the cats as residents.
It is suitable for a trip where you don’t just want to see cats, but also enjoy the nature of Mashu and Kussharo while gently saying hello to bears and Kiki if you see them.
