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.
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 Viewpoint: Bihoro Pass
- Wakoto Peninsula
- Lunch at Auberge SoRa
- Onsen hopping: Sanko Onsen, Kotan Onsen, Sunayu
- Mount Io
- Lake Mashu Viewpoint
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Lake Kussharo Panorama View: Bihoro Pass
Our first stop is Bihoro Pass lookout, where you can enjoy a 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).
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.
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
Lunch at AuAuverge SORA
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!
Photo Source: SoRa
INFORMATION
Restaurant hours: 11 am - 2 pm for lunch, 6 pm - 10 pm for dinner
Reservation required
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!
Sanko Onsen
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.
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.
This is going to be a very unique onsen experience. Kotan Onsen is an open-air onsen on the lakeside of Lake Kussharo.
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.
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
Open 24 hours
Admission free
Sunayu
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.
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
Open 24 hours
Admission free
Mount Io
With a quick 15-min drive from Sunayu, Mount Io is a must-see spot in this region.
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.
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)
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.
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
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.
Where to stay near Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu
- Kussharo Prince Hotel
⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 👀 Beautiful View
A long-established hotel with 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.
Where to stay in Akan
- 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.
THAT’S ALL!
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