Lake Shikotsu

Lake Shikotsu is located in the southwestern part of Hokkaido, with a lake shoreline of 40 km (25 miles). It is a crater lake formed by a volcanic eruption more than 40,000 years ago. The average water depth of Lake Shikotsu is 265 meters (866 feet), and the maximum water depth is 363 meters (1,191 feet), making it the second deepest lake in Japan, after Lake Tazawa in Akita. Because the water depth is enough to form convection, it will not freeze even in winter, so it is called “The Northernmost Non-freezing Lake in Japan.” The north side of the lake is Mount Eniwa, and the south side is Mount Fuppushi and Mount Tarumae. If you have enough time, you can travel to these mountains to enjoy the unique volcanic scenery.

Lake Shikotsu

The water quality of Lake Shikotsu ranks among the best in Japan, with underwater visibility up to 20 meters (65 feet). The clear water glows blue in the sun, and many wild birds live on the lakeshore, making it a popular eco-tourism spot in Hokkaido.

What to See & Do in Lake Shikotsu

1. Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival

The Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is one of the most representative winter festivals in Hokkaido. Locals get water from Lake Shikotsu and spray it with high-pressure water jets to create works of art, which are then sprayed with paint to create modern artworks. At night, the place is illuminated by colorful lights, presenting a different world from the daytime. In addition to the breathtaking ice sculptures, there are also ice slides, ice skating rinks, and other venues for children to play. During the festival, there will be fireworks, Taiko performances, and other activities from 6:30 p.m. every Saturday, Sunday, and on statutory holidays.

Ticket: 500 yen
Opening time: January 28 - February 23, 10:00-20:00 
*Lighting time: 16:30-20:00

2. Marukoma Hot Spring Hotel

Marukoma Hot Spring Hotel, founded in 1915, is a medium-sized hot spring hotel famous for its secret high-quality hot spring and combines modernity and tradition. It is adjacent to Lake Shikotsu and embraced by the entire lake. Looking out from any room of the hotel, you can see the scenery of Lake Shikotsu and even have the illusion that you can touch the lake water just stretching out your hand. Marukoma Onsen Hotel provides exquisite and delicious food and offers a luxurious service, which is to take guests on a private yacht to cruise the lake in the early morning. 

Reference price: 20,000 yen per person per night

3. Camp by Lakeside

There are two well-equipped camping sites on the south and west sides of the lake, namely the Morappu Camping Site and the Shikotsu-Lakeside Bifue Campground. Camping here allows you to enjoy the amazing sunrise and sunset of Lake Shikotsu, the quietness of the lake at night, and the sounds of nature. Cooking and fishing by the lake are also good options.

Fee for Morappu Camping Site: Adults: 1,300 yen; Children aged 6-12: 700 yen; Children below 6: 500 yen
Fee for Shikotsu-Lakeside Bifue Campground: Adults: 2,000 yen; Children aged 4-6: 400 yen; Children below 4: Free of charge

4. Enjoy Water Activities

Boats on Lake Shikotsu

The following water activities at Lake Shikotsu are not to be missed:

●Stand-up Paddleboard: The vast expanse of Lake Shikotsu is perfect for this exciting activity, which costs around 8,000 to 10,000 yen.

●Kayak tour: Rowing on the clear lake is the most comfortable experience, where you can enjoy the different beauty of the lake. It takes about an hour and a half, and the price per person is about 10,000 yen.

●Diving or snorkeling: The lake is so clear, so this is a good place to go snorkeling or diving. The price is around 15,000 to 20,000 yen.

Tip: The above projects are very popular; please make reservations in advance.

5. Watching Birds

The surrounding ecological environment of Lake Shikotsu is rich and diverse, providing suitable habitats for more than 100 bird species. It is one of the largest bird observation sites in Hokkaido. If you want to find the best bird-watching location, you can go to the hiking area on the east side of Lake Shikotsu.

Best Time to Visit Lake Shikotsu

The best time to enjoy Lake Shikotsu is in the summer and February. In summer, the weather is cool and you can see the starry sky when camping at night; in February, the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is held.

How to Get to Lake Shikotsu

1. From Chitose:

First, you need to take a flight or train to Chitose, then transfer to a bus or taxi to Lake Shikotsu.

By bus:
From New Chitose Airport, take the Hokkaido Chuo Bus bound for Lake Shikotsu for about 55 minutes.
From Chitose Station, take the Hokkaido Chuo Bus bound for Lake Shikotsu for about 45 minutes.

By taxi:
It takes 50 minutes and 40 minutes by taxi from New Chitose Airport and Chitose Station to Lake Shikotsu, respectively.

2. From Sapporo:

From the north exit of Sapporo Station, take the bus bound for Lake Shikotsu for about an hour and a half. Please note that this bus only runs from November to April.

Nearby Attractions

Lake Shikotsu is part of Shikotsu-Tōya National Park. If you are not in a hurry, do not miss other famous tourist attractions in this vast park. It takes about one and a half hours to drive from Lake Shikotsu to Noboribetsu Hell Valley and an hour to Lake Toya.

Admission Fee: Free admission

Opening Time: All day