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Lake Shikotsu

Lake Shikotsu (Shikotsuko) in Shikotsu-Toya National Park is a huge lake of about 40 km circumference and is said to be the most beautiful lake in Japan. It's also known as a non-freezing lake in the northernmost part of Japan. There are 1,000-meter-high mountains like Fuppushi-dake, Eniwa-dake, Tarumae-san around and you can enjoy Hokkaido's natural beauty. We recommend staying for one night in Shikotsu-ko Onsen by the lake and have enough time to stroll around Shikotsu-ko.

(Source: 気ままないい旅ネット第四部)

One of the most clear water lakes in Japan and Shikotsu-ko blue

Shikotsu-ko has almost as a high clarity as Lake Mashu in Hokkaido (the best clarity in Japan) or Lake Baikal in Russia (the best clarity in the world). You can enjoy the scenic beauty of a beautiful lake surface and the mountains around. This is a caldera lake with maximum depth of 363 m which is the second deepest in Japan. So it is also popular for its unique deep blue surface color. This beautiful sight is honored as "Shikotsu-ko blue."

(Source: seAsOw / PIXTA(ピクスタ) )

Shikotsu-ko tourist ship

The most popular activity in Shikotsu-ko is cruising on the Shikotsu-ko tourist ship. Let's look around Shikotsu-ko in 30 minutes on a ship with an underwater observation room. You will realize it's so clear that you can see the rare lake bottom with columnar cracks.

(Source: まるみのあっちこっち巡り)

Enjoy the lake by a kayak, canoe, or boat

If you want to enjoy the lake more directly, experience it on a kayak, canoe, or boat. The body of your boat makes a shadow on the lake bottom and your boat seems to float on the water. This scenic beauty proves how clear the water here is. You can rent them at guide houses by the lake and its a good season for boating from May to November.

(Source: 良いことは、広める)

Shikotsu-ko visitor center

Shikotsu-ko visitor center will be the hub for a Shikotsu-ko tour. There're an information corner introducing the National Park, displaying information to learn about the natural environment around Shikotsu-ko, and a lounge to enjoy reading with a lake view.

(Source: 一人旅の軌跡)

Shikotsu-ko Onsen

Shikotsu-ko Onsen is in the lakeside of Shikotsu-ko. This hot spring town has all kinds of accommodations such as auberge, Japanese-style inn, resort hotel, and resort facility with reasonable prices. The hot water in Shikotsu-ko Onsen is thick and soft. As it has the effect to soften your skin, it is really popular among women.

(Source: まんまるblogの食べて遊んでパワーアップ)

Shikotsu-ko's specialty Himemasu (Graying fish) food

Shikotsu-ko's specialty is Himemasu (Graying fish) dishes. Himemasu were released in 1894 and has been farmed in Shikotsu-ko. It is a kind of trout or salmon and has the right degree of sweetness. So our recommendations are simple grilled fish, sashimi, and sushi. Accommodations and restaurants in the lakeside offer Himemasu dishes.

(Source: T&A cooking)

A great winter event in Shikotsu-ko

Hyoto festival is held in the lakeside of Shikotsu-ko from late January to late February every year. A lot of ice objects made of lake water of Shikotsu-ko are displayed. The objects are lit up at night and it's a fantastical world. Kids can also enjoy big ice sliders and fireworks show.

(Source: やぁやぁ。)

Address
Shikotsu-ko, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido
Contact No.
+81-123-25-2404
+81-123-25-2404
Access
44 min by bus to Shikotsu-ko station on Hokkaido Central Bus (from Chitose station on JR Line) After get off at Shikotsu-ko station, 5-min walk to boarding point of sightseeing ship
Opening Hours / Holidays
Official Website
Time Required
Admission fee

(Source: 気ままないい旅ネット第四部)

One of the most clear water lakes in Japan and Shikotsu-ko blue

Shikotsu-ko has almost as a high clarity as Lake Mashu in Hokkaido (the best clarity in Japan) or Lake Baikal in Russia (the best clarity in the world). You can enjoy the scenic beauty of a beautiful lake surface and the mountains around. This is a caldera lake with maximum depth of 363 m which is the second deepest in Japan. So it is also popular for its unique deep blue surface color. This beautiful sight is honored as "Shikotsu-ko blue."

(Source: seAsOw / PIXTA(ピクスタ) )

Shikotsu-ko tourist ship

The most popular activity in Shikotsu-ko is cruising on the Shikotsu-ko tourist ship. Let's look around Shikotsu-ko in 30 minutes on a ship with an underwater observation room. You will realize it's so clear that you can see the rare lake bottom with columnar cracks.

(Source: まるみのあっちこっち巡り)

Enjoy the lake by a kayak, canoe, or boat

If you want to enjoy the lake more directly, experience it on a kayak, canoe, or boat. The body of your boat makes a shadow on the lake bottom and your boat seems to float on the water. This scenic beauty proves how clear the water here is. You can rent them at guide houses by the lake and its a good season for boating from May to November.

(Source: 良いことは、広める)

Shikotsu-ko visitor center

Shikotsu-ko visitor center will be the hub for a Shikotsu-ko tour. There're an information corner introducing the National Park, displaying information to learn about the natural environment around Shikotsu-ko, and a lounge to enjoy reading with a lake view.

(Source: 一人旅の軌跡)

Shikotsu-ko Onsen

Shikotsu-ko Onsen is in the lakeside of Shikotsu-ko. This hot spring town has all kinds of accommodations such as auberge, Japanese-style inn, resort hotel, and resort facility with reasonable prices. The hot water in Shikotsu-ko Onsen is thick and soft. As it has the effect to soften your skin, it is really popular among women.

(Source: まんまるblogの食べて遊んでパワーアップ)

Shikotsu-ko's specialty Himemasu (Graying fish) food

Shikotsu-ko's specialty is Himemasu (Graying fish) dishes. Himemasu were released in 1894 and has been farmed in Shikotsu-ko. It is a kind of trout or salmon and has the right degree of sweetness. So our recommendations are simple grilled fish, sashimi, and sushi. Accommodations and restaurants in the lakeside offer Himemasu dishes.

(Source: T&A cooking)

A great winter event in Shikotsu-ko

Hyoto festival is held in the lakeside of Shikotsu-ko from late January to late February every year. A lot of ice objects made of lake water of Shikotsu-ko are displayed. The objects are lit up at night and it's a fantastical world. Kids can also enjoy big ice sliders and fireworks show.

(Source: やぁやぁ。)