摩周湖は阿寒国立公園の東端に広がる周囲24kmの陥没カルデラ湖。水深は212mもある一方、湖に流れ込む川と流れ出る川は全く無く、摩周岳の中腹に青く透き通った水を湛える風景は神秘的である。険しく危険な断崖に囲まれているため、観光客が湖畔に降り立つことは事実上できず、外輪山に3箇所ある展望台や摩周岳からその眺めるのが一般的である。
この湖の玄関口となるのが弟子屈(てしかが)町中心部の釧網本線摩周駅で、1885年に開かれた歴史を持つ摩周温泉に程近い。近隣の屈斜路湖や川湯温泉と合わせて探勝するのがおすすめだ。
Eastern Hokkaido’s first onsen town founded in 1885, Teshikaga is a convenient location for exploring both Mashu-ko and Kussharo-ko by public transport or taxi. JR Mashu Station is a good gateway of the town center and lake Mashu-ko.
PRACTICAL TIPS
Location 80km north of Kushiro, 40km east of Akan-ko
Population 6900
Highlights Mashu-ko
Tourist Information JR Mashu Station Tourist Information Desk (JR摩周駅観光案内所): Tel 015-482-2642 / Inside JR Mashu Station, 1-7-26 Asahi / 9am-5pm / www.masyuko.or.jp
01 LAKE & SCENIC VIEWPOINTS
Mashu-ko
摩周湖
There are no rivers flowing into or from the caldera lake, Mashu-kois 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 on the western rim for a view over the lake to the picturesque surrounding areas. The lake often covered in a fog from spring to summer, check the weather condition before you go.
Mashu Viewpoint 1 (摩周第一展望台), Known as the Dai-ichi Tenbodai, is the main viewpoint of Mashu-ko. A parking ticket (¥500: late Nov-early Apr) is also available at Io-zan near Kawayu Onsen. Alternatively, a 6.6km footpath (takes about 2hrs) connects JR Biruwa Station (美留和駅) and the Viewpoint 1.
There are two buses daily between JR Mashu Station and Mashu Viewpoint 1 (25min / ¥570).
02 SCENIC FARM
900 Glassy Meadow
900草原 / Q-maru-maru Sogen / 418-66 Tobetsu / 24hrs May-Nov / Restaurant 10am-4pm May-Oct / FREE
Named after the 930-hectare glassy meadow on the scenic hills, the Q-maru-maru Sogen has a good rural view of the town. It is about 6km south of JR Mashu Station, there is a jumbo taxi for Teshikaga Eco-Passport holders from mid June to early October.
03 PUBLIC ONSEN
Izumi-no-yu
泉の湯 / 3-4-30 Izumi / 1-9pm / Closed Tue / ¥200
This simple and rustic municipal onsen bathhouse is a 10-minute walk south of JR Mashu Station. Admission is only ¥200. Bring your own soap and towel.
Guide Map
Directions
Mashu (摩周) can be reached by JR Senmo Line. Trains run from Kushiro (80min) via Shiretoko-Shari, and Abashiri (2hrs) via Kushiro-shitsugen.
