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Lake Kussharo & Lake Mashu: One-Day Itinerary

ByYuuka

In Akan Mashu National Park, Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo sit next to each other and make a perfect one-day trip destination for nature lovers!

As a Hokkaido local, I enjoyed many weekend trips to this area as I grew up. So I can guarantee that this area is family-friendly and fun for kids as well.

I’ll walk you through my favorite route to visit beautiful lakes, hot springs, and a volcano in just one day, by car.

Let’s dive in!

One-Day Trip to Akan Mashu National Park

Lake Kussharo Panorama View: Bihoro Pass

Our first stop is Bihoro Pass lookout, where you can enjoya beautiful panorama view of Lake Kussharo.

If you arrive here before sunrise during the summer months, you might get lucky enough to see the sea of clouds over the lake (50% chance depending on the weather).

Panoramic summer view of Lake Kussharo from a grassy hill with trees and forests in the foreground and a calm blue lake surrounded by rolling mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

From its large, free parking area, you’ll walk uphill to the view spot on paved stairs for about 5 mins. The view at the top is just breathtaking, looking over the lake.

There is also a public bathroom, a restaurant, a cafe, and a souvenir shop. Don’t forget to try some local snacks sold here. My favorite is potato mochi!

Information

  • Open 24 hours
  • Admission free
  • Access: 30 mins from Bihoro and Memambetsu Airport, one hour from Kitami and Abashiri by car.
  • Google Maps
Breathtaking sunrise view from Bihoro Pass, with a sea of clouds over Lake Kussharo, orange and pink light on the horizon, and silhouetted mountain ridges surrounding the lake.

Wakoto Peninsula

With a 20-min dive from Bihoro Pass, now you’ll reach the lakeside of Lake Kussharo. Wakoto Peninsula is a small peninsula sticking into the lake.

There you can take a stroll around the peninsula for about one hour and 2.5 km, stopping at outdoor natural hot springs, a shrine, and a beautiful lakeside. Check out this map for the route.

Information

  • Open 24 hours
  • Admission free
  • Free parking available
  • Google Maps

Lunch at AuAuverge SORA

Bright, modern restaurant interior with large windows offering views of green fields, trees, and distant mountains near Lake Kussharo, with neatly set tables and blue chairs.
Photo Source: SoRa

Auberge SoRa is my favorite lunch spot in the area, which is just 5 mins away from Wakoto Peninsula.

It’s a cozy log house restaurant located right next to Lake Kussharo. They serve French-style lunch courses prepared with fresh local ingredients with a beautiful view of the open field.

They also provide accommodation as an auberge — 2 suite rooms of 4 or 6 people capacity. I’ve stayed here once with my family, and it was an amazing stay.

The staff showed us great care and hospitality. The room was spacious and nicely furnished. I loved the morning walk to the lakeside. Highly recommended!

Information

Onsen Hopping!

The Lake Kussharo area is home to a number of natural onsens (hot springs), thanks to its geographical advantage being in a volcanic zone.

Here are my three recommendations for you to enjoy unique onsen experiences near Lake Kussharo. You can pick one or two depending on your schedule, or try all of them, if you are a big onsen lover!

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Sanko Onsen

Wooden exterior of Sanko Onsen building nestled among trees near Lake Kussharo, with a sign over the entrance and a bicycle parked outside on the grassy path.

Sanko Onsen is an authentic natural onsen inn, run by a friendly couple. Surrounded by a forest, the outdoor onsen is tranquil and just relaxing.

While it’s primarily an inn for accommodation, the owner opens the outdoor bath for drop-in visitors.

The water here keeps flowing in directly from the source. It is 100% natural spring water of mild alkali, which is said to be good for sore muscles, arthritis, back pain, and shoulder pain.

Traditional outdoor hot spring bath at Sanko Onsen, surrounded by trees and wooden walls, with steaming water and a rustic, natural atmosphere.

I love the hidden atmosphere of this place in the woods. The house has a cozy, nostalgic interior, which will make you feel like you just time leaped to the Japanese old days.

Information

  • 10 am – 6 pm, closed on Wednesdays
  • 400 JPY
  • Google Maps

Kotan Onsen

This is going to be a very unique onsen experience. Kotan Onsen is an open-air onsen on the lakeside of Lake Kussharo.

Lakeside hot spring bath at Kotan Onsen, with a bamboo fence and sign in the foreground, large rocks in the bath, and Lake Kussharo and mountain views beyond.

It’s a free public facility managed by a local community. No reception. It’s just an outdoor bathtub, without a divider for males and females.

This might sound wild, but the view from the view is amazing, as it’s literally on the lakeside and it would feel like you’re in the lake.

Natural open-air hot spring bath with large rocks on the shore of Lake Kussharo, reflecting the cloudy sky and distant mountains in the background.

If you are going to take a dip here, make sure to bring a towel or a swimsuit to cover yourself (it’s allowed in this onsen).

From November to April, lots of swans fly here to escape a severe winter in Russia. You’ll even see them from the onsen!

Information

Sunayu

砂湯1.jpg

This place is the easiest to drop by among the three onsens I introduce here. Here, you can just bathe your feet (called Ashiyu, meaning foot bath).

The name of Sunayu means sand hot spring in Japanese. Why? Because if you a dig a hole in the sand here, warm spring water flows up from the ground! This is due to the underground volcanic heat in this area.

Yuuka, the author of My Eastern Hokkaido, sitting on a wooden ledge dipping her feet into a lakeside foot bath, with small boats tied to a dock on Lake Kussharo surrounded by forested mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

You can also dip your feet on the lakeside foot bath, without getting your hands sandy. Either way, this is a very fun activity for young kids, which I loved when I was little!

Information

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Mount Io

With a quick 15-min drive from Sunayu, Mount Io is a must-see spot in this region.

Wide shot of Mount Io’s rugged volcanic terrain with rocks, patches of lingering snow, and white steam plumes rising into the sky.

Mount Io is an active volcano, where you can observe geothermal activities up close. You will see steam coming out from many volcanic vents, which is pretty cool!

As much as I enjoy walking around this volcano, I love steamed eggs sold there. Yes, you heard me right. Eggs!

They are locally grown eggs, steamed with a hot spring water from Kawayu Onsen near Mount Io. The spring water adds a slight saltiness and a scent of sulfur to eggs, which makes the unique flavor that locals love.

Close-up view of Mount Io’s steaming geothermal vents with vivid yellow sulfur deposits against rocky terrain, with steam rising into the air.

This has been my favorite snack on a road trip since I was a child. You can have them at the rest house MOKMOK Base. The rest house has a cafe and a small museum about Mount Io.

💡Pro tip: Keep the parking ticket until the Lake Mashu Observatory. You can park there for free with this ticket.

Information

  • Open 24 hours, MOKMOK Base: 8:30 am – 5 am
  • Admission free
  • Parking: 500 JPY from May to October (free from November to April)
  • Google Maps

Lake Mashu

A 30-minute drive away from Mount Io, Lake Mashu is known as the clearest lake in Japan. While it’s not possible to go to its lakeside as the lake is surrounded by tall cliffs, you can enjoy the view of this magical blue lake from the observatory.

Panoramic view of Lake Mashu’s deep blue water surrounded by lush green forested cliffs and mountains, with a small island visible in the lake.

But this beauty is a bit shy. The lake has a nickname “Foggy Mahsu”, since it often gets hidden by fog. So make sure to check the weather before going there. If it’s sunny, you’ll be amazed by the view.

A tourist facility at the observatory, Lake Mashu Kamuy Terrace has a cafe, a lounge and an information center (open from 8:30 am to 5 am).

Information

  • Observatory’s opening hours: 24 hours
  • Admission free
  • Google Maps

FAQ

    Where should I stay near Lake Kussharo & Lake Mashu?

    Here are my recommendations. Alternatively, you can also stay in Akan and explore the cozy onsen town with another lake the next day.
    Kussharo Prince Hotel
    ⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 👀 Beautiful View
    A long-established hotel with a lake-viewing onsen.
    Kawayu Kanko Hotel
    ⭐3 stars, ♨️Hot Spring
    A local hotel known for its high-quality natural hot spring, serving local cuisine dining.
    Pension Polaris
    ⭐2 stars, 🍴Local Ingredients, 🧡Amazing Hospitality
    A cozy lodge-style accommodation near Lake Mashu, offering a beautiful stargazing location.
    Tsuruga Besso Hinanoza
    ⭐4 stars, 🛁Private Hot Spring, 🍷Fine Dining
    All 25 rooms come with a private hot spring with a beautiful lake view.
    Akan Yuku no Sato
    ⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 👀 Beautiful View
    A long-established hotel run by a local company, having been listed in Michelin Guide Hokkaido.
    The Forest Akan Tsuruga Resort
    ⭐4 stars, 🍴Great Buffet, ♨️Hot Spring
    A cozy lake-side onsen hotel offering delicious buffet meals with various options.

    Where should I go after Lake Mashu & Lake Kussharo?

    There are many options. From the Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo area, you can reach Akan and Abashiri with an hour’s drive, or Shiretoko, Kitami and Kushiro in 1.5 hours.

    Can I swim in Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo?

    Any access to the lake, including swimming, is not allowed in Lake Mashu.
    For Lake Kussharo, it’s possible to swim around Sunayu as the water there is warmer.

    Your next steps

    If you want ideas on how to plan your whole trip, my 5-day Eastern Hokkaido trip, 7-day road trip, and 2-week road trip across Hokkaido can help you.

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    Yuuka is a Hokkaido local and the author of My Eastern Hokkaido since 2019. Growing up in rural Eastern Hokkaido, Japan, she has explored the beautiful island for 20+ years. Yuuka loves sharing her travel tips and favorite hidden gems with travelers, and has helped hundreds of people plan their perfect itineraries over the years.

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