A relaxing moment at Lake Shikotsu

Lake Shikotsu is located in Chitose City, Hokkaido, and is the northernmost unfrozen lake in Japan.
Lake Shikotsu has been recognized many times as the best in Japan in lake water quality surveys conducted by the Ministry of the Environment, and the clear blue color of the lake’s water has earned it the nickname “Lake Shikotsu Blue.A crystal clear lake surrounded by beautiful mountains is a place that soothes the soul.


First, let’s talk about how to get to Lake Shikotsu.

ー　car ー
From Sapporo to Lake Shikotsu, there are two routes: one that takes regular roads and one that uses toll roads.
If you are going by public road, go via National Route 453. As you can see in the diagram above, if you use a toll road, you will have to take a fairly long detour, so you will get there faster if you take a regular road.
However, there is one thing you should be careful of.
If you are coming in winter, the public roads are often curved and icy, so if you are not used to driving on snowy roads, it may be better to use toll roads even if it is a long detour.

By public road, it is approximately 50 km to Lake Shikotsu Onsen. It will take about 1 hour.
If you are coming directly from New Chitose Airport by rental car etc., it is approximately 30 km via National Route 36 and Hokkaido Route 16 . It takes about 35 minutes.

If you are coming from Sapporo on National Route 453, those going to Marukoma Onsen will take Hokkaido Route 730 on the way.
If you are going to Lake Shikotsu Onsen town, you can arrive at National Route 453 along the shore of Lake Shikotsu.

ー　public institutions　ー
If you are going from Sapporo, you can take the Rapid Airport to Chitose and then take a bus from Chitose Station to Lake Shikotsu. The duration is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Rapid Airport trains leave 4-5 times an hour and arrive at Chitose Station in about 30 minutes.
Please note that in winter, the tour may be closed due to snow.
Please check each company’s website for details.

Why not take a short break before heading to Lake Shikotsu?

・Sapporo Art Forest
・Makomanai Takino Cemetery

I will introduce two places.

＜Sapporo Art Forest＞
On the way from Sapporo to Lake Shikotsu, there is a place called “Sapporo Art Forest” in the Minami Ward of Sapporo City, which has a vast grounds displaying domestic and foreign sculptures, as well as art museums, crafts, and other events held throughout the year.
There is also an outdoor stage and an art hall, and the Pacific Music Festival (PMF), an international music festival that brings together young musicians who will lead the future of the music scene, is held here.
They hold various exhibitions and other events, so I often go there as well.
It’s nice to experience art. Your heart will be healed.
Please stop by on your drive.

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＜Makomanai Takino Cemetery＞
There is another facility near the Art Forest called ”Makomanai Takino Cemetery”.
It is located on the road from National Route 453 to Route 341 that goes to Lake Shikotsu, and you can see the Moai statue at the entrance.
When I saw it for the first time, I was surprised to see so many large Moai statues lined up😄

This Moai statue is
The mo'' in the moai meansto live” in the future, and it seems that the moai was built so that the proof of its existence could be handed down to future generations forever.
The large one is 9.5 meters high and weighs 120 tons. Others are said to be 6.5 meters high and weigh 60 tons.
In addition, in the back there is the “HILL OF THE BUDDHA ” with only its head sticking out, which can be said to be the symbol of ”Makomanai Takino Cemetery”, and during the lavender season, the entire area around it is covered in lavender, making it worth seeing.
There are also cafes, so why not take a break from your drive?

After a fun drive with some breaks along the way, we headed to our destination, Lake Shikotsu.
Lake Shikotsu is a huge caldera lake with a circumference of approximately 40 km.
Lake Shikotsu has been ranked number one in Japan in water quality surveys conducted by the Ministry of the Environment.
How about canoeing on the crystal clear lake?

At shallow spots, you can see the emerald green lake surface up close.
You can enjoy various experiences such as nature cruising, diving and snorkeling.
There are also tours that take you around in a kayak with a transparent bottom。
There is no doubt that you will be able to experience the clarity of the water!

I myself have ridden in a friend’s canoe.
I can’t swim, so to be honest, I was a little afraid of the sea and lakes.
However, I decided to take a canoe ride while properly equipped with life jackets and other equipment.
In the midst of magnificent nature, when you look down, you can see beautiful water. I was very impressed.
I’m really glad I rode it.
I rode it many times during camp!
Everyone is welcome to try it out!

From the Morap campsite, you can rent boats such as row boats, canoes, and swan boats, so be sure to try them out.
You can also enjoy camping without bringing anything, and it even comes with hot spring bathing (Kyukamura Lake Shikotsu)!

There are several campgrounds at Lake Shikotsu, but they are always crowded.
Reservations are now required, but when there were no reservations, cars were lined up from early in the morning.
It took quite a while to get in. That’s how popular it is!

Would you like to spend an extraordinary time in nature?
The sunset is also amazing!

Lake Shikotsu can be enjoyed even in winter.
You can also kayak in the natural scenery of snow covered trees, ride on drifting ice, break the ice and enter the lake, and experience Lake Shikotsu completely different from the summer. Yes.
In addition, in the winter, the “Lake Shikotsu Icefall Festival” is held, where objects made of frozen Lake Shikotsu water are lined up and lit up at night, creating a truly magical world.

The average winter temperature at Lake Shikotsu is -2℃ at the highest and -11℃ at the lowest.
Winters in Hokkaido, not just Lake Shikotsu, are quite cold.
I went before wearing light clothes, but it was quite cold.
The top and bottom of ski wear might be just right.
I don’t think you’ll have much fun if it’s cold, so please be sure to take precautions against the cold.
Afterwards, it’s great to soak in the hot springs that will warm your cold body.

Next year, it will be held from January 27th (Saturday) to February 25th (Sunday), 2024.

There are many hotels around Lake Shikotsu. You can also enjoy delicious Hokkaido cuisine!
We will introduce the main hotels.

Lake Shikotsu Daiichihotei Suizantei
This hotel is for guests aged 13 and over.
There are many rooms where you can enjoy an extraordinary experience, such as rooms with hot springs and theaters, rooms with open-air baths in the garden, and rooms with cypress baths separated by glass in the living room.

Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizu no Uta
A resort hotel with the theme of “Beauty, Health, and Healing.”
There is also a gallery lined with sculptors’ works and a lounge with various books placed around the hearth, so you can spend a relaxing time.

Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Bessou Ao no Za
All rooms have the best view of the lake.
Indigo dyeing experience, Ainu traditional costume location photo, Japanese tea making experience where you can experience traditional Japanese culture,
There are also services that allow you to send postcards and letters for free.

Kyukamura Lake Shikotsu
An inn surrounded by nature.
You can try your hand at making an original bird call that makes a sound similar to a bird’s cry, or making an original key chain using deer antlers.
There are also three types of walking courses, and there is also a program where you walk with binoculars in hand while listening to explanations from the staff at the Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center.

Marukoma Onsen
Founded in Taisho 4! This is a long-established inn that has been running for 100 years.
The view of Lake Shikotsu from the hot spring is spectacular.
There is also a Kaiseki cuisine where you can enjoy Lake Shikotsu’s specialty Himemasu over a hearth.

Please relax in the hot springs and enjoy delicious Hokkaido food!

And the autumn leaves at Lake Shikotsu are also beautiful.

Please come and visit Lake Shikotsu, which can be enjoyed all year round!