Day Trips from SapporoEastern Hokkaido: road trips and places to visit
Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo, Lake Akan and the Kushiro Wetland. These are my guides to the area, from a Sapporo local who drove there. (12 articles)
Guides (1)
Road trips (1)
Places (10)
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Bihoro Pass: The Classic View of Lake Kussharo and Its Roadside Station A local's guide to the Bihoro Pass in eastern Hokkaido: the panorama over Lake Kussharo, how it compares with the other viewpoints, the roadside station and its curry bread, how long to stay, and winter road closures. -
Kawayu Kanko Hotel: Acidic Sulfur Baths in Kawayu Onsen A local's review of Kawayu Kanko Hotel in Kawayu Onsen, eastern Hokkaido: the strong, acidic sulfur water, the quiet hot spring town, day bathing, and why it is a good base for Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo. -
Kushiro Wetland Observatories: Hosooka or Kottaro, and How to Get There A local's guide to the two best viewpoints over the Kushiro Wetland: where Hosooka and Kottaro observatories are, how to drive there, which to choose, and the Kottaro closure until January 2027. -
Lake Akan: The Sightseeing Cruise, Marimo and Ainu Kotan A local's guide to Lake Akan in eastern Hokkaido: the sightseeing boat to Churui Island, the marimo moss balls, Akanko Ainu Kotan, and how to fit the lake into a road trip. -
Sunayu on Lake Kussharo: Dig Your Own Hot Spring Foot Bath A local's guide to Sunayu on Lake Kussharo, the beach where hot water wells up through the sand: how to make a foot bath, swans in winter, the campsite and shop, and how to get there. -
Lake Mashu Observatory No. 1: The Classic View, Parking and the Fog A local's guide to Lake Mashu Observatory No. 1 in eastern Hokkaido: the view, the Kamuy Terrace shop, how the three observatories compare, parking and what to do if the lake is in fog. -
Lake Mashu Observatory No. 3: The Quieter View of Mashu Blue A local's guide to Lake Mashu Observatory No. 3: how the view compares with Observatory No. 1 and Ura-Mashu, who it suits, how long to stay, and what to do about the fog. -
Lake Onneto: The Color-Changing Lake Below the Akan Volcanoes A local's guide to Lake Onneto near Lake Akan: why its water changes color, the view of Mt. Meakan and Mt. Akan-Fuji, walking by the lake, how to fit it into a road trip, and what to bring. -
Mt. Io (Iozan): Walking Among the Steaming Vents Near Kawayu Onsen A local's guide to Mt. Io, the active volcano at Kawayu Onsen in eastern Hokkaido: walking up to the steaming sulfur vents, Iozan MOKMOK Base, parking shared with Lake Mashu, and how long to stay. -
Ura-Mashu Observatory: The Quiet Far Side of Lake Mashu A local's guide to Ura-Mashu Observatory on the eastern side of Lake Mashu: how it compares with Observatories No. 1 and No. 3, where it is and how to fit it in, the fog, how long to stay and what to know.