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In the northwestern of the Tokachi Plain, Shikaoi (鹿追) is the year-round gateway to Shikaribetsu-ko and the base of geological and agricultural tourism. You can enjoy onsen, fishing, horse riding, canoeing, hot air ballooning and dog sledging.
Sightseeing
If you have a day or two to stay, the mountains around Shikaribetsu-ko, such as Hakuun-zan (白雲山) and Tenbo-zan (天望山), make for nice climbs in the warmer month.
Shikaribetsu-ko
然別湖
1min walk from Shikaribetsu-kohan-onsen bus stop
Daisetsuzan National Park’s only natural lake surrounded by tranquil virgin forest, Shikaribetsu-ko feels isolated and mysterious destination. Winter visitors marvel at its kotan (ice village) with an onsen on the frozen lake. The sightseeing boat (然別湖遊覧船) set off from the Hotel Fusui to make a 40-minute cruise on the lake.
Shikaribetsu-ko Kotan ♨︎
然別湖コタン
1min walk from Shikaribetsu-kohan-onsen bus stop
Only open 60 days each year, this mysterious ice igloo kotan (village) is on the frozen lake Shikaribetsu-ko. The highlight here is a mixed free onsen roten-buro (open-air bath), you can wear swim suit into the bath. Male-only time is from 5pm to 6.30pm, and female-only time is from 6.30pm to 8pm. There is also an ashi-yu (footbath).
Lake Shikaribetsu Nature Center
然別湖ネイチャーセンター
1min walk from Shikaribetsu-kohan-onsen bus stop
With nearly 30 years of experience, this lakeside nature center offers a variety of outdoor tours, such as canoeing, walking and cross-country skiing. They are also organizer of the Shikaribetsuko-Kotan ice igloo festival on the lake in winter.
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Hotels
There is only one onsen hotel on the western shore of Shikaribetsu-ko, but it is worth a night.
Photo: じゃらんnet
Hotel Fusui ♨︎
ホテル風水
1min walk from Shikaribetsu-kohan-onsen bus stop
Set directly on the shore of Shikaribetsu-ko overlooking the lake, this long-running hotel offering pleasant Japanese-style rooms with the finest views. It has a fabulous onsen with open-air baths.
Map
Getting There
BUS
From Obihiro Station, Takushoku Bus 51 runs to Shikaribetsu-kohan-onsen (然別湖畔温泉: 1hr 40min) via Shikaoi-eigyosho (鹿追営業所: 1hr). If you move between Shikaribetsu-ko and JR Shintoku Station, some buses are timed to meet at Shikaoi-eigyosho.
There is no bus service to between Shikaribetsu-kohan-onsen and Nukabira-Gensenkyo (in Kamishihoro).
Information
Shikaoi Tourist Information Center
道の駅しかおい観光案内所
Located at the Michi-no-eki Shikaoi opposite the town hall, this information center provides useful brochures. Local tour company listings are on the tourism association website (in Japanese).
Shikaribetsu-kohan-onsen bus stop
然別湖畔温泉 | 시카리베쓰 호숫가온천
Address：Shikaribetsu-kohan-onsen, Shikaoi-cho, Hokkaido
Distance：55km from Obihiro
Elevation：810m