Lake Shikotsu
From World travel guide
Lake Shikotsu (支笏湖 Shikotsu-ko) is a volcanic caldera lake in the central part of Hokkaido, Japan.
Contents |
Understand
44 kilometers in diameter, Lake Shikotsu is famed for the clarity of its water. Along with nearby Lake Toya, it forms a part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Surrounded by hills, the dominant feature is Mount Fuppushidake (風不死岳), an Ainu name cleverly written in kanji as "Wind-never-dies Peak". The main town is Shikotsu Kohan (支笏湖畔), on the eastern side of the lake.
Get in
By plane
Sapporo's New Chitose Airport (CTS) is quite close to Shikotsu and there are direct buses to Shikotsu Kohan (55 minutes, ¥920).
By bus
Buses connect Shikotsu Kohan to Chitose, Sapporo and other major destinations in the vicinity..
Get around
As in much of Hokkaido, buses are infrequent, so your own wheels or hitchhiking are the best ways to get around. Motorized boats are, thankfully, not allowed on the lake.
See
- Moss Canyon (苔の洞門 Koke no dōmon). On the south side of the lake, these are in fact two canyons, both several hundred meters long, densely carpeted with thick, green moss. Free entry and well worth a visit.
Do
In season, you can rent swan boats for paddling out on the lake. Fishing is also popular.
Being a volcanic lake, there are a number of hot springs in the vicinity. Both hot springs below also offer lodging.
- Itō Onsen (いとう温泉). Tel. 0123-25-2620, [1]. Located on the northern side of the lake, 3 km west from the main road towards Sapporo. Notably primarily for a pleasant outdoor rotenburo with great views of the lake; it's a little strange to stand by the lakeshore completely naked, but hey, you're just a flyspeck if seen from the other side. Entry ¥700, 10 AM to 4 PM only.
- Kyūkamura Shikotsu Onsen (休暇村支笏湖温泉). [2]. A somewhat clinical hot spring resort not far from Shikotsu Kohan. Perhaps a tad overpriced at ¥700 for a dip.
Buy
Eat & Drink
Shikotsu Kohan has the usual array of Japanese restaurants. There are some basic stalls near the Morappu Camping grounds as well.
Sleep
Budget
- Morappu Camping (モーラップキャンプ場). A basic lakeside campsite popular with fishermen, with toilets, rental equipment and some food stalls nearby. ¥500 per person.
- Shikotsu Youth Hostel. Tel. 0123-25-2311, [3]. Largish youth hostel in Shikotsu Kohan featuring its own hot springs, beds ¥3045 per night for HI members.
Midrange
- Lapland (ラップランド Rappurando). Tel. 0123-25-2239, [4]. A quirky but pleasant log house minshuku, 10 minutes south of Shikotsu Kohan. A night with two meals and a trip to the nearby onsen is just ¥4900.
Contact
There is a small tourist information office in Shikotsu Kohan near the bus station.
