Something like a Scandinavian Lake District, this picturesque artificial lake was designed as a water-based Shumarinai-ko Prefectural Natural Park in 1974, consists a lot of bays, islands and peninsulas. The best way to experience the lake is to pack camping gear, rent a boat, fishing and spend a silent night.
PRACTICAL TIPS
Location 40km west of Nayoro, 80km north of Fukagawa
Area 13,767-hectare
Tourist Information Shumarinai Tourist Information Office (朱鞠内湖観光案内所): Tel 0165-38-2101 / Inside Shumarinai-kohan Camp-jo management office / 8am-5pm / en.shumarinai.jp
ORIENTATION
Shumarinai-ko (朱鞠内湖) was created in 1943 by the building of Uryu Dai-ichi Dam (雨竜第一ダム) when Japan had entered into a wartime, along with many sacrifices.
Fishing is available from 1 May to 10 December (trout season: dawn-dusk), and from 1 January to 10 April (ice fishing season: 6am-4pm). You can borrow fishing rods and purchase a fishing ticket (¥1100) at the fisheries cooperative.
Note that the road to the another artificial lake Utsunai-ko (宇津内湖) is currently closed.
01 LAKE CRUISE
Shumarinai Sightseeing Cruise
朱鞠内観光汽船 / 8am-5pm Jun-Sep / ¥1000
From June to September, you can hop aboard 35-minute scenic cruise on the lake. There are also motorboats (¥4000 up to four people) and lowing boats (¥600 per 30min, ¥1000 per hour: up to three people).
02 SLEEPING & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Lake Shumarinai World Center
シュマリナイ湖ワールドセンター / Tel 0165-38-2029 / Lake House Shumarinai / en.shumarinai.jp
This NPO offers private fishing tours on the lake by boat (from ¥35,000 up to two people) from July to September, as well as irregular package tours (ice fishing, snowmobiling and lodging) in winter. They are the sole agent for the accommodation Lake House Shumarinai (レークハウスしゅまりない).
03 CAMPING
Shumarinai-kohan Camp-jo
朱鞠内湖畔キャンプ場 / Tel 0165-38-2101 / Early May-late Oct / Check-in by 5pm / No Wi-Fi
On the peaceful shore of Shumarinai-ko, there are three seasonal campsites and year-round cabins, with showers and washing machines. Tent (from ¥1500 per night), sleeping bag and blanket rentals are available.
SHUMARINAI-KO MAP
GETTING THERE
Shumarinai (朱鞠内) is served by infrequent JR buses from Fukagawa Station (7 daily / 73min) on the JR Hakodate Line required a change at Horokanai (幌加内), as well as Nayoro Station (4 daily / 2hrs) on the JR Soya Line. Japan or Hokkaido rail passes are available.
From June to August, two buses between Nayoro and Horokanai continuing to Kohan (湖畔) stop on the shore of Shumarinai-ko.
If you travel to Shumarinai-ko by bus between October and May, get off the bus at Mitsumata (三股: three-forked road) stop, from where it is about a 1.5km walk to the shore.
More info www.jrhokkaidobus.com.
Home › Destinations › Northern Hokkaido › Nayoro Basin › Shumarinai-ko
