Guide to Lake Shikotsu

The northern reaches of Japan harbor a natural wonder where volcanic peaks circle waters of extraordinary clarity. Lake Shikotsu, part of Hokkaido’s Shikotsu-Toya National Park, claims the titles of Japan’s second-deepest lake and its northernmost unfrozen body of water. While Mount Tarumae and Mount Eniwa stand guard over its shores, geothermal activities keep the lake’s waters flowing year-round, creating a unique ecosystem that attracts nature enthusiasts from all over Japan and around the world.

From New Chitose Airport, the Hokkaido Chuo Bus line operates regular services to Lake Shikotsu from international and domestic terminals. The journey takes around 55 minutes and offers a convenient option for travelers arriving by air. Buses run throughout the day, but it's worth checking in advance as services can be limited during off-peak season.

For those coming from Sapporo, a rental car provides the most straightforward access to the lake. The drive from central Sapporo takes about an hour along well-maintained roads. While public transportation options exist, they often require multiple transfers and can be time-consuming, making driving the recommended choice for visitors coming from Hokkaido’s capital.

Lake Shikotsu’s main hot spring town, Shikotsuko Onsen, clusters along the lake’s eastern shore, with most amenities within walking distance. A network of walking trails connects the town’s hotels, restaurants, and the Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center. To explore beyond the town, rental cars offer the most freedom, especially for reaching hiking trailheads and viewpoints around the lake. During the summer months, bicycle rentals provide a pleasant way to explore the lakeside roads, while sightseeing boats offer a fresh perspective from the water, including underwater tour boats and a swan-like pedal boat!

Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center

The Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center is an excellent starting point, offering interactive exhibits about the lake’s volcanic formation and extraordinary ecosystem. Its observation area provides some of the best views across the water towards the surrounding mountains.

Mount Tarumae

For nature lovers, Mount Tarumae presents an accessible hiking challenge. This active volcano features a trail that takes about an hour to reach the seventh station, and another 50 minutes from there to the summit. The summit offers panoramic views of the lake and neighboring mountain ranges.

Water activities

Water activities define summer at Lake Shikotsu. The lake’s exceptional clarity, with visibility extending 82 feet deep (25 meters), makes it a premier destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. Canoe and kayak rentals allow for peaceful exploration, while glass-bottom boat tours offer a dry alternative for observing the lake’s underwater features.

Lake Shikotsu is renowned for its fresh and flavorful cuisine that reflects its pristine mountain and lake environment. The area’s standout specialty is Princess Salmon or himemasu in Japanese, also known as chipp in the Ainu language. This delicacy is prized for its delicate flavor and firm texture, and local restaurants serve it in various forms, from sashimi to grilled and even fried. Prepared with simple seasonings, these dishes highlight the rich, umami taste of the fish and are sure to delight your taste buds!

Winter showcases the lake’s unique character as one of Japan’s few lakes that never freezes. Despite winter temperatures that regularly drop well below freezing, geothermal activity keeps the lake’s waters in constant motion. This rare phenomenon creates spectacular scenes where mist rises from the dark water surface while snow blankets the surrounding mountains.

The Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, held throughout the month of February, transforms the lake into an illuminated wonderland. Local artists create towering ice sculptures using water pumped directly from the lake, which freezes from the cold air into crystal-clear formations. As night falls, these sculptures come alive with multi-colored illuminations reflecting off the ice and the lake’s surface.

Lake Toya

Lake Toya, another volcanic caldera lake, lies just two hours west by car, offering additional hot springs and dramatic landscapes.

Tomakomai

The port city of Tomakomai, an hour to the south, draws visitors with fresh seafood markets. 

Noboribetsu

It is also worth stopping by Noboribetsu, a geothermal area known for its steaming fumaroles, sulfurous streams, and natural hot springs.

Lake Shikotsu Marukoma Onsen Ryokan

Just 60 minutes by bus from New Chitose Airport, Lake Shikotsu Marukoma Onsen Ryokan is an historic ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) that occupies a privileged spot where natural hot springs emerge directly from Lake Shikotsu’s shore. The property’s famous lakeside outdoor bath sits so close to the water’s edge that it seems to merge with the lake itself.

The ryokan preserves traditional Japanese hospitality with elegant Japanese and Japanese-western rooms featuring tatami floors and soft bedding. Each space offers stunning lake views that change with the season. The kitchen crafts elaborate kaiseki courses at mealtimes featuring local specialties like fresh Lake Shikotsu fish and seasonal Hokkaido vegetables.

Shikotsuko Onsen Lakeside Villa Suimeikaku

A seven-minute walk from Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center, Shikotsuko Onsen Lakeside Villa Suimeikaku combines convenience with lakeside serenity. This modern hotel welcomes guests with a striking lobby overlooking the water and Mount Tarumae beyond.

Thoughtfully designed rooms cater to every preference, from western-style spaces with plush beds to traditional Japanese rooms with tatami floors. The highlight of any stay is the private open-air natural hot spring bath, where guests can soak in the area’s mineral-rich waters while overlooking the lake, all with complete privacy. The hotel’s in-house restaurant serves an authentic Japanese breakfast and a French-inspired dinner, enjoyed in a sophisticated setting overlooking Lake Shikotsu.

Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizu no Uta

Bringing a new philosophy centered around the healing power of water to Lake Shikotsu’s shores, Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizu no Uta is a bastion of contemporary luxury within this volcanic landscape. Located right on the lake, this sleek property serves as an ideal base for both summer and winter activities.

Modern Japanese and western-style rooms feature clean lines and large windows. Upgrade options include suites with private hot springs and open-air hot spring baths; however, guests can also access the resort's extensive spa complex, which features impressive indoor and outdoor hot springs.

When it comes to dinner, guests can choose between an expansive buffet featuring many of Hokkaido’s most popular dishes or an intimate restaurant serving an exquisitely curated menu under warm lights.

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