(Written by Masaaki Tanaka)
Table of Contents：
1. Biei Shirogane Blue Pond
2. Lake Akan
3. Shiretoko Goko Lakes
4. Sugatami-no-ike/Sugatami Pond
5. Lake Shikaribetsu
6. Hoheikyo Dam Lake
7. Shinsennuma Marsh
8. Oyunuma/Hot Spring Swamp
9. Onuma Park
10. Lake Abashiri
Why should you come to Hokkaido?
In order to achieve a sustainable and beautiful global environment, it is important for each of us to think about nature itself and take effective action. Then it is necessary to reaffirm the wonders of the Earth, this miraculous planet that nurtures life for this purpose at first!
According to the great Russian writer Tolstoy, one of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between Man and Nature shall not be broken.
Hokkaido, which was formed approximately 10-13 million years ago by the collision of the Eurasian and North American plates and tectonic movements brought about by the Pacific plate from the south, is full of natural attractions and is compact enough that you will never get tired of visiting again and again.
Surrounded by rich seas, Hokkaido is a region abundantly blessed with nature such as varied mountains, volcanoes, rivers, rich forests, spacious wetlands, beautiful lakes and marshes, seacoasts, isolated islands and a diverse range of flora and fauna. Moreover, you can enjoy them all year round.
Hokkaido also has many natural landscapes due to volcanic landforms, with a lot of hot spring resorts located within these areas, and its tourism has developed based on these magnificent landscapes and hot springs.
Hokkaido’s rich and distinctive nature has attracted worldwide attention; for instance, in 2005 Shiretoko was inscribed as a World Natural Heritage site in recognition of its rich ecosystems and biodiversity, both marine and terrestrial.
There are also 13 Ramsar wetlands in Hokkaido. As you may know, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was adopted in 1971 at an international conference in the city of Ramsar, Iran. In addition to protecting them as habitats for water birds, it calls for the conservation and restoration of wetlands in a wide range of areas as important ecosystems that support our daily lives.
The vast island of Hokkaido has more than 50 natural lakes, ponds and marshes. In addition, there are more than 80 artificial lakes.
Caldera lakes, created by huge volcanic eruptions, have deep waters and are highly transparent as there are few rivers flowing into them.
Hokkaido is also home to a rich and diverse range of other unique lakes and marshes, such as coastal lakes, which were created when it was cut off from the sea, and dammed lakes, which were formed when river water was held back.
【Must-go places in Hokkaido!】
< Biei Shirogane Blue Pond >
Biei, where Shirogane Blue Pond is located, is about 150 km northeast of Sapporo and 40 km south of Asahikawa, almost in the middle of Hokkaido.
The landscape of neatly lined fields on a wave-like terrain of hills is known as a patchwork landscape, with the majestic peaks of the Daisetsu Mountains visible beyond the beautiful hills.
There were significant volcanic activities around Mt. Daisetsu which generated large pyroclastic flows that were deposited over large expanses of the area and formed the base of the corrugated hills.
And now by changing what is planted in each plot to rotate crops, the fields form a wonderful patchwork landscape all round.
As the name of Biei Shirogane Blue Pond suggests, the surface of the water appears to glow a clear cobalt blue, hence the popular name ‘blue pond’.
This artificial pond was formed when river water collected in a block weir placed on the Biei River during construction to prevent volcanic mudflows from Mt. Tokachi.
Why was the pooled water blue?
The water in the Blue Pond consists of water from the Biei River and aluminum-containing water from the Shirohige Falls. The components of these two types of water mix together and reflect the sunlight, giving the pond a beautiful blue color!
Why has the Blue Pond become world-famous?
The Blue Pond gradually became famous by word of mouth spread by photographers. Then it became known worldwide when Apple adopted it as its computer wallpaper in 2012.
Nearby are Shikisai-no-oka, with its spectacular flower fields that fill the hills in summer, and Farm Tomita, famous for its lavender, to name but a few of the other attractions.
< Lake Akan >
Lake Akan is located in Akan-Mashu National Park and is a caldera lake, along with Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu. The magnificent landscape of deep forests is a spectacular sight created by the activities of the Kuril Islands volcanic belt.
Lake Akan is home to the famous marimo, a special protected species. Marimo is a type of green algae, spherical in shape, which grows by repeatedly photosynthesizing as it sways and rotates with the waves in the shallows of the lake, changing its position. Lake Akan is the only lake in the world where large spherical marimo grows.
The marimo legends of the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, are also very interesting. Long ago, water chestnuts, which were an important food source for the Ainu people, used to grow in clusters in Lake Akan, but the deity of the lake constantly abused them for being unsightly when they spread all over the lake. The water chestnuts finally became angry and raked together the algae from all over the lake, rounded it into spheres and threw it at the lake deity before moving away themselves. The rounded algae became the marimo we know today.
In winter, frost flowers, a mysterious natural phenomenon that can only be seen in the extremely cold world, can be enjoyed at Lake Akan and elsewhere.
Frost flowers are made up of water vapor evaporating from ice on frozen lakes, which adheres to the ice’s surface protuberances, cooling and condensing into one crystal after another, causing the frost to grow like a beautiful blooming flower. Near ice holes, where hot springs rise from the bottom of the lake, there is also a lot of water vapor, making it easy for frost flowers to form.
< Shiretoko Goko Lakes >
The Shiretoko Goko Lakes are located in Shiretoko, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2005 as mentioned earlier.
Factors that led to Shiretoko being inscribed as a World Natural Heritage Site include the fact that the ecosystem which connects the sea to the land can be seen clearly through the food chain that begins with nutrients carried by the sea ice floes, the fact that the site is home to rare species designated as endangered, and the management system to preserve the site, including the promotion of ecotourism.
In the northern hemisphere, Shiretoko is the southernmost place where seasonal sea ice comes in contact with the shore.
The peculiar reasons for this are that large amounts of fresh water flow from the Amur River into north-east Sakhalin, where the drift ice is born, and the Sea of Okhotsk is a closed sea surrounded by continents and peninsulas, which makes it easier to maintain sea water temperatures once they have dropped. Another major factor is the intense cooling caused by powerful cold air masses blowing from Siberia.
The Shiretoko Goko Lakes are five mysterious lakes nestling in virgin forest with the Shiretoko mountain range in the background. The lakes are home to many wild animals such as brown bears and black woodpeckers, and you can experience the richness of Shiretoko’s nature easily.
There are trails around the shores of the five lakes and you can also enjoy a round trip on elevated boardwalks.
You can enjoy beautiful views of the sea, forests, mountains and lakes all at once there, and it is known as a scenic spot that symbolizes the rich natural beauty of World Natural Heritage Site Shiretoko.
< Sugatami-no-ike/Sugatami Pond >
Daisetsuzan National Park in central Hokkaido is also known as the ‘Roof of Hokkaido’, and Asahidake, the highest mountain in Hokkaido, is its main peak.
These mountainous regions are truly magnificent, with snow-capped peaks remaining even in summer, while abundant alpine vegetation creates flower fields everywhere.
The high latitude of the Daisetsuzan mountain range, with an alpine environment comparable to the 3,000-meter mountains of the Honshu mainland, is also home to the Asiatic pika, which is said have survived the Ice Age. Furthermore, large mammals such as brown bears and Ezo deer, and rare bird species such as black woodpeckers and Blakiston’s fish owl can be seen.
One of the must-sees there is the Sugatami-no-ike in the middle of Asahidake.
Sugatami means a large mirror that reflects the whole body.
As the name suggests, the pond reflects the sight of Asahidake. A good day when the weather is fine and the wind is not blowing is the right time for taking the best pictures!
At an altitude of 1,600 meters, just off the Daisetsuzan Asahidake ropeway, is the Sugatami-no-ike pond, which on a clear, windless day reflects Mt. Asahidake, creating a mysterious atmosphere.
There is a 1.7-kilometer-long walking trail that takes about one hour to complete, allowing you to take your time and enjoy this magnificent natural environment to the fullest.
Why not experience a piece of the wilderness that the Ainu people have called Kamuimintara, Garden of the Deities, with a sense of familiarity and awe?
< Lake Shikaribetsu >
Lake Shikaribetsu is the only natural lake in Daisetsuzan National Park and the highest one in Hokkaido. You can enjoy a variety of activities, hot springs and camping in the near-unspoilt nature.
It is a volcanic dammed lake with a circumference of 14 km, lying at the foot of Daisetsuzan National Park.
In summer, you can enjoy the view and nature walks. Native coniferous forests of Ezo spruce, Sakhalin fir and other conifers loom over the lake, and freshwater fish such as char live in the lake.
And in winter, you can take pleasure in looking at the igloos and chapel built by stacking blocks of ice in Shikaribetsu Kotan, a village created on the frozen lake, and you can enjoy an open-air bath there as well.
< Hoheikyo Dam Lake >
A 102.5 meter-high, arched concrete dam was completed in 1972 in Minami Ward, Sapporo, for the purpose of flood control and hydropower generation along the Toyohira River. The dam lake is named Lake Jozan. The 2-km distance from the dam entrance to the dam is closed to vehicles, motorbikes and bicycles all year round for environmental protection, so it is necessary to walk or take an electric bus. The area around the dam is a scenic spot surrounded by steep rock slopes and, together with the dam’s dynamic photogenic discharge, it is a spectacular sight. It is a particularly popular autumn foliage viewing spot in Sapporo.
The nearby Jozankei Onsen and Hoheikyou Onsen, a hidden hot spring in Jozankei with a dedicated day-trip bathing facility, are worth a stop.
At Hoheikyo Onsen, large open-air baths with 100% free-flowing hot spring water can be enjoyed in a natural outdoor setting.
Jozankei Onsen, which is situated along the Toyohira River, has long been a popular hot spring resort due to its proximity to the center of Sapporo.
The statues of kappa are often noticed when walking around Jozankei.
Kappa are yokai or monsters that live in the water world in various parts of Japan. Many of them have the appearance of a child, with a dish of water on top of their head and their hair shaped into a short bob. Kappa like sumo wrestling and cucumbers, and although they are mischievous they also express gratitude by helping with rice planting and delivering fish every day.
The reason why the kappa is very familiar as the mascot of Jozankei is derived from the following legend.
The Toyohira River used to flow so fast that timber was sent down from upstream, and many large river fish lived in the depths all around. Once upon a time, a young man was fishing in the river when something pulled him down into the riverbed and he disappeared. One night a year later, the young man appeared in his father’s dream and told him that he was living happily with his kappa wife and child. The young man, who was one of the most beautiful men in Jozankei, must have been attractive to the kappa living here…
Now, why don’t you come and see the kappa around here too?
< Shinsennuma Marsh >
The Niseko area, located at the foot of the Niseko mountain range and Mount Yotei, known as Ezo Fuji, is known as a ski resort with a wealth of hot springs and some of the best powder snow in the world. In summer, rafting and canoeing on the Shiribetsu River, once voted the clearest river in Japan, are very popular.
Shinsennuma Marsh is said to be the most beautiful of the many lakes and marshes in the Niseko area, with fantastic scenery that changes from season to season. There is a wooden path from the car park to the swamp, and it is a popular spot for visitors to enjoy alpine flora while taking a casual 20-minute walk. From the observatory, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Sea of Japan and the mountains of the Shakotan Peninsula, and enjoy the spectacular scenery created by the magnificent nature.
< Oyunuma/Hot Spring Swamp >
Noboribetsu, located in the south-west of Hokkaido, is one of the country’s leading hot spring destinations and is known as the ‘department store of hot springs’, as it boasts a daily flow of 10,000 tons of hot water and has nine different types of hot spring water gushing out.
A promenade has been developed around the source of the hot springs, Hell Valley, and from Hell Valley to Oyunuma, where you can walk around and experience its unique atmosphere.
Oyunuma, located north-east of Hell Valley, is the site of a crater created by an explosion on the flank of a volcano called Hiyoriyama, where sulphurous spring water as hot as 130°C gushes out from the bottom of the swamp. It is still as hot as 40-50°C even when it nears the surface.
The steam rising from the murky grey-black surface of the hot spring water, combined with the surrounding landscape of exposed rock faces, is a starkly beautiful sight.
Sulphurous hot spring water also rises from the bottom of the neighbouring smaller swamp Okuno-yu, with a surface temperature of 75-85°C. This also creates a hellish atmosphere.
Nearby, you can also enjoy a natural footbath using hot spring water that flows out of Oyunuma Swamp as a river and is just the right temperature.
< Onuma Park >
This is a quasi-national park on the Oshima Peninsula in south-west Hokkaido. It consists of an active stratovolcano, Komagatake, and its dammed lakes: Onuma, Konuma and Junsai-numa.
Komagatake grew into a large 1,700-meter conical volcano via repeated eruptions around 500,000 years ago. A huge eruption between 50,000 and 30,000 years ago caused a major collapse of the upper third of the mountain body, resulting in a shape close to its present form.
At that time, collapsed mudflows are thought to have choked the rivers at the foot of the area, forming a lake that should be known as Old Onuma. Subsequently, several eruptive activities divided Old Onuma and formed the Onuma, Konuma and Junsai-numa swamps.
A variety of activities can be enjoyed in this park with its spectacular views.
There are nature trails around Onuma; the Island-hopping Trail around the seven islands of Onuma takes about 50 minutes, while the rest of the walk takes less than 25 minutes and can be done easily.
Cycling is also recommended, where you can see Komagatake and Onuma from various angles while riding with the wind ruffling your hair.
You can also enjoy a short trip on the lake by canoe or pleasure boat.
In winter, fishing for wakasagi (fresh-water smelt) is popular, and it is fun to compete to see who can catch the most wakasagi by dropping a fishing line into a hole in the frozen lake. The tasty wakasagi can be prepared as tempura, making the experience twice as enjoyable.
< Lake Abashiri >
Abashiri, the city at the mouth of the Abashiri River which flows into the Sea of Okhotsk, is famous for Abashiri Prison, which was built to use prisoners as forced labor for the development of Hokkaido. The restored prison is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Abashiri.
However, the lakes in Abashiri Quasi-National Park, such as Lake Abashiri, Lake Notoro and Lake Toufutsu, are also major attractions.
Lake Abashiri in particular has long been known as a scenic spot. Located south-west of the city of Abashiri, it is a marine terrace lake with a circumference of 40 km. The Yobito Peninsula, which juts out from the center of the eastern lakeside, has a 7 km-long promenade, ideal for birdwatching and walking.
Lake Abashiri is Hokkaido’s largest producer of wakasagi (fresh-water smelt) and wakasagi roe from Lake Abashiri is shipped all over the country. It is no exaggeration to say that Japanese wakasagi would not be complete without Lake Abashiri’s wakasagi.
Rental rods, fishing devices and baits are available, making it easy to experience wakasagi fishing on the ice. Freshly caught wakasagi can be served as tempura on the spot, so be sure to give it a try.
In Abashiri, you can also enjoy a dynamic view of the ice floes from an icebreaker, which uses the weight of the ship and the pressure of its advance to break up the ice floes.
It goes without saying that Hokkaido offers an abundance of varied nature not found on the continent, but it also combines the mystical culture of indigenous peoples such as the Ainu and Jomon, a wide variety of delicious food, and the largest number of hot springs in Japan, with a wide range of spring waters to soothe tired bodies after varied activities.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
Mark Twain indeed has many good things to say, such as the above. And he also said, “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow!” Now, why don’t you join us on a trip to Hokkaido, in search of new discoveries to broaden your mental horizons?
Incidentally, here at Hokkaido Treasure Island Travel Inc. we can easily customize an itinerary for your tour incorporating the lakes, ponds and swamps, etc. to suit your interests. Please feel free to contact us at any time!
