Lake Kussharo
Lake Caldera lake in eastern Hokkaido with hot springs
Lake Kussharo in eastern Hokkaido occupies a volcanic caldera and supports hot‑spring resorts, canoeing and rim trails that provide broad views over the lake.
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Lake Kussharo is a volcanic caldera lake in eastern Hokkaido, Japan, located within Akan Mashu National Park. It is one of Hokkaido’s largest caldera lakes and contains a wooded island near its centre.
A prominent feature is the central island Nakanoshima, which is visible from many shoreline viewpoints; boat operators run short cruises to the island in warmer months. Lakeshore roads and viewpoints on surrounding ridges provide wide views of the water and surrounding volcanic landscape.
The lake occupies a volcanic caldera formed by past eruptions; the present basin and island are products of those volcanic events. The area has been used and visited for recreation and hot-spring tourism associated with nearby towns for more than a century.
Lake Kussharo sits in eastern Hokkaido near the town of Teshikaga and other lakes within Akan Mashu National Park. The lake lies inland from the Pacific coast amid forested highlands of the island of Hokkaido.
- Geology: A caldera lake formed by volcanic activity and located inside Akan Mashu National Park, offering clear views across the volcanic basin.
- Viewpoint: A popular vantage is the slopes of Mount Mokoto which overlook the lake and the central island.
What to See #
- Nakanoshima: A forested island occupying the lake's centre that is accessible by boat and visible from several lakeshore viewpoints.
How to Get to Lake Kussharo #
By car: From Kushiro city, it is about a 1.5-2 hour drive west on National Route 240/243 to the Teshikaga/Kawayu area; follow signs for Akan-Mashu National Park. By public transit: take an express train or bus to Kushiro or Abashiri and transfer to local Akan Bus lines toward Teshikaga; from Teshikaga stations the lakeshore is a short taxi ride or 20-40 minutes by local buses.
Tips for Visiting Lake Kussharo #
- Arrive before sunrise to watch the steam rising from the geothermal shores at Sunayu (the sandy hot-springs) - the light makes the mist look luminous.
- Drive the Lakeshore Road (Route 243) and stop at multiple viewpoints; the view toward Mount Mokoto from the south shore is the most expansive.
- Bring a towel and coin: at Sunayu visitors can dig their own makeshift hot pool in the sand when the tide is low - local custom, not a formal facility.
Best Time to Visit Lake Kussharo #
Best visited late spring to autumn for hiking and onsen; winter offers dramatic snowscapes but limited services.
Weather & Climate near Lake Kussharo #
Lake Kussharo's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -10°C to 22°C. Abundant rainfall (1060 mm/year), wettest in September.
January
January is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of -3°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 22°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (128 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (154 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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