Lake Shikotsu

Shikotsu is a caldera lake of about 360 metres depth, the second deepest in Japan after Tazawa, and that volume of water holds enough heat that the surface has never frozen over in recorded observation despite Hokkaido winters - the lake steams instead. The water is also among the clearest in the country, repeatedly rated top for quality, and on a still day the bottom is visible far out from shore. Three volcanoes stand around it: Eniwa to the north, Fuppushi and Tarumae to the south, the last with a bare lava dome that can be walked up in about an hour from the trailhead. In winter the Hyoto Matsuri, the ice festival, sprays lake water over frames until it builds into blue translucent structures which are lit at night. Canoeing and diving in the clear water are the summer draws.

History

The name comes from the Ainu shikot, "big hollow"; to Japanese ears it sounded like "dead bones", and an attempt to rename the lake engi did not last (Wikipedia, Lake Shikotsu).

The landscape

• A lake that will not freeze - too deep and too warm at depth, steaming in winter.
• Exceptional clarity - among the clearest water in Japan, bottom visible offshore.
• Three volcanoes - Eniwa, Fuppushi and the bare dome of Tarumae.
• The ice festival - structures built from sprayed lake water and lit at night.

When to go

June to October for the water; late January to mid-February for the ice festival. A day.

Practical notes

The shore is largely undeveloped, which means limited food and facilities. Winter access depends on road conditions. Tarumae's trail closes for volcanic activity. Summer weekends fill the small car parks early.

Nearby

Lake Toya is south-west; Sapporo is north.

Key facts