After a hard day, getting into onsen (温泉: hot springs) around Niseko ski areas or JR train stations. The Niseko Yumeguri Pass (ニセコ湯めぐりパス: from ¥1470) is valid for up to four day-bathing (higaeri nyuyoku) facilities, it sells at the region’s…
Kamishihoro Naitai Kogen Farm
Agricultural town Kamishihoro (上士幌町) is beautifully sited on Northern Tokachi. It is a good base for cycling in the nearby picturesque countryside and highlands, as well as organic cafes. Japan’s largest public farm (1700-hectare) on the highland grassy meadow, Naitai…
Mount Mokoto-yama and Highland Byway
Mokoto-yama (藻琴山: just 1000m) is the highest rim to the north of Kussharo-ko. The mountain is on Kushiro and Okhotsk regions (Teshikaga, Koshimizu, Bihoro and Ozora). After following Prefectural Road 102 from Kawayu Onsen for 16km by your own wheels,…
Lake Mashu and Viewpoints
There are no rivers flowing into or from the caldera lake, Mashu-ko (摩周湖) is up to 211m deep and once the clearest lake in the world. Due to its rugged shores are prohibited to enter, but there are two viewpoints…
Tokachi’s Hidden Marsh Onne-to
Onne-to (オンネトー) is a beautiful cobalt-blue lake at the foot of Meakan-dake surrounded by forest, you can hike a lakeside circumference trail take an hour. There is also a 1.6km-long trail between Nonaka Onsen and Onne-to. A 40-minute return walk…
Lake Akan and Akanko Onsen
In the western part of Akan-Mashu National Park, Akanko Onsen (阿寒湖温泉 area is Eastern Hokkaido’s classic tourist destination that has picturesque lakes, coniferous forest, volcanic mountains, pleasant onsen and the lakeside Ainu kotan (village). The triangle-shaped Akan-ko (阿寒湖: meaning unshakable…
Lake Furen and Shunkunitai Sandbank
The 59-sq-km lagoon Furen-ko (風蓮湖) is the natural highlight of Nemuro, providing sanctuary for 330 species of birds, including sea eagles, whooper swans and tancho (Japanese crane). Furen-ko is surrounded by pine forests, wetlands and dunes. Shunkunitai (春国岱) Located about…