Introduction

The eastern shore of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, presents a landscape that shifts dramatically as you travel, giving a continuously-changing atmosphere to your journey.
The Mizu-no-Kamuy Area[Untouched Hokkaido] (0:54), connecting the national parks at Kushiro Shitsugen and the Akan and Mashu Lakes, is a special region where visitors can experience majestic natural beauty and serene lakes, offering stunning landscapes and quiet tranquility.
You can take in vast marshlands, be soothed by the still waters, and experience both the volcanic terrain and Ainu culture that have each had a hand in shaping this land.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

If it's your first visit, it is recommended to plan on at least two or three days to comfortably see what the area has to offer. For traveling without a car, basing your trip in Kushiro, Lake Akan Onsen, or Kawayu Onsen and exploring from there can make it easier to get around.

In this article, we will introduce the Mizu-no-Kamuy Area, along with its key sights, suggested routes, and seasonal attractions.

The Mizu-no-Kamuy Area: A Connected Journey Through Eastern Hokkaido

Kushiro Wetlands, Lake Akan, and Lake Mashu: For those familiar with the region, just hearing these names is enough to conjure images of Hokkaido's vast, untamed landscapes.
The Mizu-no-Kamuy Area brings these three regions together, offering a single travel experience encompassing nature, Ainu culture, hot springs, and local cuisine across eastern Hokkaido.

"Kamuy" means "god" or "spirit" in the language of the Ainu, who are indigenous to Hokkaido. For the Ainu, spirits are believed to inhabit all elements of the natural world, including mountains, rivers, and animals. Water itself has been held to be sacred since ancient times, with rivers, lakes and wetlands all existing in harmony with spirits. Thus Mizu-no-Kamuy, the area of the water spirits, is a name that perfectly reflects the essence of this land.

The sense of harmony and interconnection is a fascinating aspect of Mizu-no-Kamuy. The wetlands, lakes, volcanic terrain and cultural sites are not isolated, separate points, but form a continuous, cohesive journey.
Travel through this area reveals how these separate elements shape and flow into one another like the water for which the region is named, making for a deeper, more holistic experience than can be had by simply visiting individual points of interest. This sense of a "journey to encounter the Kamuy of Water" is the underlying philosophy behind the Mizu-no-Kamuy area.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

Who the Mizu-no-Kamuy Area is for: A Journey to Slow Down and Take It In

The Mizu-no-Kamuy Area is especially suited to travelers who want more than just a checklist of scenic views.
Its a place to settle into, from soaking in the beautiful nature and Ainu culture, to literally soaking in the hot springs and enjoying the varied local food. For travelers drawn to wide-open skies, clear air, and a silence that makes you stop and listen, this journey is sure to leave a lasting impression.
It is a rewarding destination not just for repeat visitors, but also for anyone looking to experience a different side of Hokkaido.

Travel here is less about covering distance and more about lingering.
After visiting Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, the lasting impression, more so than the mere vastness of the wetlands, but the time spent in a landscape where the sky and earth seem to connect.
At Lake Akan, a walk along the lakeshore or time spent in Akanko Ainu Kotan has a cultural dimension that goes beyond the scenery.
At Lake Mashu, the lake takes on an entirely different aspect depending on the weather, with a crystal-clear beauty on sunny days, and an otherworldly atmosphere when wrapped in fog.
Because the atmosphere is so inconstant, both from place to place and even in the same area seen twice in different circumstances, simply moving through the region is enough to convey a natural sense of depth.

Although it is possible to see it in a packed one day or one-night-two-day, allowing yourself at least two full days makes for a far more relaxed and rewarding experience, especially if it is your first time.

Exploring Kushiro: Wetlands, Wildlife, and Wide-Open Skies

There is a natural logic to beginning any journey through the Mizu-no-Kamuy Area at the Kushiro Shitsugen Wetlands.

Stretching across the land north of Kushiro city, Kushiro Shitsugen National Park is Japan's largest wetland and a site of international significance, designated under the Ramsar Convention for the protection of the world's most important wetland ecosystems. But its true scale becomes apparent the moment you first step out onto one of the observation decks and take in what lies before you.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

The wetlands extend toward the horizon, while the Kushiro River (0:25) winds below in broad, unhurried curves. Almost nothing man-made enters your field of vision. This kind of stillness and sense of space is genuinely difficult to find elsewhere, and the sensation of having arrived somewhere distinctive, singular, and unmistakably unique to eastern Hokkaido, is inescapable.

The Kushiro River itself runs a stretch of 154 km, beginning at Lake Kussharo in Akan-Mashu National Park. The clear water flows out from the lake's southern shore, quietly flowing through old-growth forest before reaching the wetlands. If you visit Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo later in your trip, that connection becomes clear: the river first seen meandering through the marshlands has its origins in the lakes you encounter upstream. It adds a sense of continuity to the journey, linking the region together and clarifying the landscape into an interconnected whole.

Things to Do in Kushiro Shitsugen National Park

Observation Decks
Hosooka Observatory, Sarubo Observatory, Kottaro Wetland Observatory, and Kushiro Marsh Observatory (7:25) each offer different perspectives over the wetlands. The scenery shifts dramatically with the weather and time of day, so it's worth visiting more than one.
A guided tour of Hokuto Observatory can be seen from (7:25) in the video.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

Canoeing on the Kushiro River
Canoeing is one of the best ways to experience Kushiro, with two distinct routes offering very different landscapes.

・Kushiro River Headwaters Canoe Tour (3:32)
Starting near Lake Kussharo, this route follows the narrow upper reaches of the Kushiro River through dense, first-growth forest. The water is clear, the current gentle, and at times the trees arch overhead to form a tunnel of green. It is a quiet, more enclosed experience, less about wide views and focusing more on immersion in a pristine natural habitat. The sense of adventure and the wonder of being deep in untouched nature makes this a different experience from the lower reaches. This is recommended for those who want to "venture into old-growth forest with crystal-clear streams."

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

・Kushiro Wetland Canoe Tour (6:54)
Further downstream, the river widens as it flows through Kushiro Shitsugen National Park. The river is wide and the current is gentle, so even beginners can paddle comfortably.
Moving at water level through the reeds, you may spot wildlife such as red-crowned cranes or kingfishers along the banks. Being on the river in such an open, expansive landscape gives an immersive feeling of becoming part of the wetland ecosystem that is hard to find elsewhere. Guided tours offer explanations and context on the ecosystem, wildlife and plant life, adding greater depth to the scenery before you.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

Boardwalk Walks
The walking trail next to Kushiro Marsh Observatory has the Satellite Observatory at its midpoint, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kushiro Shitsugen Wetland.
The boardwalks around Onnenai Visitor Center are also popular routes that allow visitors to walk through the wetland itself. You can take your time enjoying the sensation of the peatland underfoot—peat is a layer formed over many years by accumulated plant matter—and the world of wetland plants spreading around you.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

Red-Crowned Crane Watching
Kushiro Shitsugen National Park is known worldwide as a habitat for the red-crowned crane. The red-crowned crane is designated as a Special Natural Monument of Japan, one of the most important natural monuments protected by the Japanese government under law. Once on the brink of extinction, it has recovered in numbers through conservation efforts and is now a symbolic wild animal of Japan.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

The Kushiro and Nemuro regions are Japan's largest breeding area for red-crowned cranes. Their elegant appearance as they live in wetlands and farmland deeply moves visitors to this region.
In winter especially, you can see red-crowned cranes dancing against snowy scenery, creating an unforgettable sight. From winter to early spring, you may also see courtship dances, in which males and females face each other, spread their wings, and leap into the air. These precious moments allow you to feel the mystery of life up close.
Well-known observation spots include the Akan International Crane Center, where cranes gather through feeding, and the Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary, where wild red-crowned cranes can be observed in a more natural state.
The best season for red-crowned crane watching is from mid-December to February. During this period, dozens to more than one hundred cranes may gather for wintering, and their vivid white and red forms against the snowfield create a winter view unique to Kushiro.

After first taking in the scale and richness of eastern Hokkaido's nature at Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, continuing on to Lake Akan and Lake Mashu creates a smooth and meaningful flow for the entire journey.

You can watch the Kushiro area from (6:18) in the video.

What Are the Highlights of Lake Akan? The Appeal of a Stay-Based Area Where Marimo, Akanko Ainu Kotan, and Lake Akan Onsen Come Together

If Kushiro Shitsugen National Park is a place where you feel endless openness, Lake Akan is an area where lake scenery, culture, and hot springs overlap—an area best enjoyed by staying for a while.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

Lake Akan is widely known as the habitat of marimo, a type of algae that grows into spherical shapes and is designated as a Special Natural Monument of Japan.
Taking a sightseeing boat across the lake to Churui Island and seeing real marimo up close at the Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center is a memorable experience for both children and adults. The sight of round green spheres gently floating in the water has a strangely calming charm.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

Yet the appeal of Lake Akan cannot be explained by the fame of marimo alone. The quiet time that flows along the lakeshore, moments of encountering Ainu culture, and the relaxing atmosphere unique to a hot spring area all come together, making this a place that remains deeply in your travel memories.

Akanko Ainu Kotan: A Place to Encounter Ainu Culture

In one corner of the Lake Akan Onsen town is Akanko Ainu Kotan. "Kotan" is an Ainu word meaning "settlement" or "village," and Akanko Ainu Kotan is known as a place where Ainu culture is passed down to the present day. It is not merely a tourist facility. One of its major characteristics is that Ainu people still live there today, continuing their culture through daily life. Within the area are shops selling crafts such as wood carvings and embroidery, restaurants where visitors can taste Ainu cuisine, and facilities introducing traditional dance and culture. As you walk through the kotan, you can come into contact with Ainu history and culture.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

At the Akanko Ainu Theater "Ikor," visitors can watch live performances of traditional Ainu dance. It is one of the cultural experiences that represents Lake Akan and is well worth visiting. The powerful yet delicate dancing and music have an impact that slowly reaches deep into the heart. These performances are also registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, offering a chance to encounter the essence of Ainu culture that can only be felt here.

At craft shops within the kotan, you can see traditional Ainu handwork such as wood carving and embroidery up close.
Wood carvings include ornaments with motifs connected to nature, such as bears and owls, as well as trays, small boxes, and other items used in daily life. They have a strength within their simplicity. Embroidery is often applied to clothing, bags, and small cloth items. The distinctive patterns using curved lines are beautiful and leave a strong impression at first sight.
Some of these patterns are believed to carry meanings of protection or warding off evil, revealing a depth that cannot be seen by viewing them only as designs.
Once you learn the meanings and techniques behind each piece, souvenirs from your trip will feel even more special.

Activities Around Lake Akan: Going One Step Deeper into Nature
The Lake Akan area is also a place for rich nature experiences that go beyond lakeside walks.

The lakeside walking trail is a path maintained along the shore, where you can walk while feeling the changing expressions of Lake Akan up close.
As you walk through scenery where forest trees and the lake surface appear alternately, a quiet time flows, separate from the bustle of the hot spring town. The route is easy to walk, so it can be enjoyed casually even during a short break. Along the way, taking a sightseeing boat on Lake Akan to a spot where you can observe the Special Natural Monument marimo is also an experience not to be missed. The sight of spherical marimo resting in the water is a unique natural formation that can be seen only at Lake Akan.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

Along the lakeside course, there is also an area dotted with "bokke"—mud volcanoes created by geothermal activity that causes mud to bubble up from underground. The sight of mud bubbling up from the earth makes you feel that the ground is still alive. Walking through the Bokke Forest, where steam drifts through primeval woodland, is an experience unique to the lakeside trail, allowing you to feel the geothermal energy of this hot spring area with all five senses.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

On the Akan Fishing Tour (1:45), you can enjoy fishing in Lake Akan and nearby rivers nurtured by the rich water system. Spending time with fish unique to eastern Hokkaido, such as white-spotted char and rainbow trout, offers a vivid sense of being embraced by nature. Tours with local guides who help you find the best fishing spots can be enjoyed by a wide range of visitors, from beginners to experienced anglers.

About 30 minutes by car from Lake Akan is Onneto, a mystical lake also known as "Goshikinuma," or the Five-Colored Marsh, because its surface changes color moment by moment against the backdrop of Mt. Meakan and Akan Fuji. Onneto Cycling (1:53), enjoyed along the lakeshore, is a refreshing experience that lets you ride through vast nature with the wind against your face. As you pedal slowly along a route surrounded by greenery, you can fully enjoy the changing colors of the lake and the silence of the forest.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

Rising close to Onneto is Mt. Meakan. This 1,499-meter mountain is popular for Mt. Meakan hiking (2:13), which takes visitors from the trailhead to the summit. If walking the 12 km lakeside walking trail, the round trip to the summit of Mt. Meakan varies depending on physical strength and walking pace, but it is safest to allow around seven hours. From the summit, you can see the powerful scenery of the active crater and the spectacular views of Lake Akan and Onneto spread out below at the same time. The panoramic view of volcanic landforms, lakes, and forest is something that can only be encountered here. When hiking, be sure to prepare proper equipment and check the weather in advance.

Spending a Blissful Moment at Lake Akan Onsen

Along the shore of Lake Akan is Lake Akan Onsen, where hot spring inns line the lakeside. Onsen refers to Japan's unique bathing culture using natural hot water heated by geothermal energy. At this hot spring area close to the lake, you can gaze at waterside scenery while soaking in the bath. A calm travel atmosphere flows here, different from the sense of openness felt at Kushiro Shitsugen Wetland.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

The walkable hot spring town is lined with souvenir shops and restaurants. Simply strolling while feeling the lakeside air allows you to experience the gentle charm unique to this place. In addition to spots where you can enjoy footbaths—outdoor facilities where you warm your feet in hot spring water (5:40)—there are also hand baths, said to have originated at Lake Akan Onsen, where you can warm your hands and casually feel the comfort of the hot springs while walking around. Please note that many hot spring facilities may refuse entry to guests with tattoos. Be sure to check with each facility in advance.

At dusk, the color of Lake Akan's surface changes softly. At night, you can warm your body in the hot springs, and in the morning, quietly gaze at the lake wrapped in morning mist. By spending time together with the lake as it changes expression throughout the day, the appeal of Lake Akan will remain even more deeply in your heart.

If you are traveling through the Mizu-no-Kamuy Area, Lake Akan is an area where you should definitely consider staying overnight.
The beauty of nature, the comfort unique to a hot spring area, and the environment where visitors can encounter Ainu culture all come together, greatly enhancing the satisfaction of the journey.

You can watch the Akan area from (1:08) in the video.

What Are the Highlights of Lake Mashu? Introducing the Sea of Clouds, Observation Decks, Teshikaga, and Kawayu Onsen

As you leave Lake Akan and head toward Lake Mashu, the atmosphere of the journey gradually changes. The scenery outside the car window slowly deepens in forest color, signs of people fade away, and a greater stillness settles into the clear air.
Then, the moment you stand at the observation deck, the dignified blue surface of Lake Mashu appears before your eyes. This scenery has a quiet power that leaves you at a loss for words, different from showy beauty.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

Lake Mashu is a caldera lake located at an elevation of around 350 to 400 meters. It was formed by volcanic activity about 7,000 years ago. A caldera lake is a lake created when rainwater or groundwater collects in a depression formed after the summit area of a volcano collapses due to a major eruption (1:17). Lake Mashu is surrounded by an outer rim of mountains, and almost no large rivers flow into it or out of it. Because it is an environment that is not easily affected from outside, Lake Mashu's high transparency and clear blue surface have been preserved.
Thanks to this terrain, which limits external influence, Lake Mashu has long been known as one of the clearest lakes in the world. In 1931, a transparency of 41.6 meters was recorded, known as a world record for lake transparency. Its perfectly clear water creates the striking blue known as 'Mashu Blue.'

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

The Ainu people called this lake "Kamuito," meaning "Lake of the Gods" in the Ainu language. In the Ainu worldview, where kamuy, or gods, are believed to dwell in all things in nature, Lake Mashu has long been spoken of with awe as a special place. Its dignified stillness beyond human reach, its mystical expression when wrapped in fog, and its breathtakingly clear blue—the name Kamuito seems to express everything about this lake. On a journey through the Mizu-no-Kamuy Area, viewing Lake Mashu after holding its Ainu name in your heart will make it even more deeply memorable.

The appeal of Lake Mashu is not simply that it is blue and beautiful. It is not a place where visitors go down to the lakeshore to play. Rather, it is a place best enjoyed by quietly viewing it from observation decks, taking in not only the beauty of its outline but also the atmosphere surrounding the lake.

Lake Mashu's Fog and Sea of Clouds

Lake Mashu is also known for its frequent fog and has long been familiar to people as "foggy Lake Mashu." The clear, vivid blue of the lake on a sunny day is magnificent, but when fog appears, the entire lake is wrapped in a white veil, deepening its mystical atmosphere. Both sunny days and foggy days reveal different expressions that are characteristic of this lake.

In recent years, Lake Mashu's sea of clouds (3:19) has attracted particular attention. A sea of clouds is a natural phenomenon in which fog or clouds floating at a low elevation look like an ocean when viewed from a higher place. In the early morning, when fog drifts low and conditions are right, a dreamlike view may appear from the observation deck, with Mt. Mashu rising above the sea of clouds. Because this scenery can only be seen when conditions align, the sense of "being lucky if you see it" also becomes part of the joy of the journey.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

Useful Nearby Information for Enjoying Lake Mashu More Deeply

Lake Kussharo
Lake Kussharo is Japan's largest caldera lake. At Sunayu, visitors can enjoy the unique experience of digging in the sand and seeing hot spring water bubble up.
Lake Kussharo is the source of the Kushiro River. The river meanders through primeval forest, passes through Kushiro Shitsugen Wetland, and flows into the Pacific Ocean.
Its total length is 154 km. It is also known as a river without dams or weirs, making it a dream river for canoe enthusiasts.

Kawayu Onsen
Kawayu Onsen is known for its strongly acidic sulfur springs. Its source is acidic hot water heated by underground magma from the active volcano Mt. Io, also known as Atosanupuri. The water that springs from the underground hot spring layer is characterized by its strong acidity and is known as a distinctive hot spring that leaves the skin feeling smooth. For those who want to feel the power of the source up close, a visit to Mt. Io, or Atosanupuri, where white smoke rises into the air, is also recommended. It is popular to combine Kawayu Onsen with Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo as part of an itinerary around the Teshikaga area.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

You can watch Kawayu Onsen from (5:22) in the video.

Atosanupuri / Mt. Io Hiking Tour
Mt. Io, or Atosanupuri (4:13), located right beside Kawayu Onsen, is a powerful active volcano where white smoke constantly rises. Many areas are normally restricted due to volcanic gas and safety management, but by joining a tour accompanied by a local expert guide certified by the Teshikaga Ecomachi Promotion Council, visitors may be specially guided into places that are usually inaccessible to the general public. The sulfur crystals deposited on the ground, along with the sound and heat of fumaroles close by, create a one-of-a-kind experience that cannot be felt through ordinary sightseeing. If you want to safely experience the activity of a volcano, joining a guided tour is recommended.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

Teshikaga Town
Teshikaga Town is the gateway to Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo. It also has many restaurants using local ingredients, including those around Roadside Station Mashu Onsen. A roadside station, or Michi-no-Eki, is a rest facility where travelers can stop during a journey. Depending on the facility, visitors can also enjoy local ingredients, souvenirs, and light meals.

The spectacular scenery stretching before Kushiro Shitsugen Wetland, the history and culture of Lake Akan, and the stillness within the clear air of Lake Mashu—these three places, each with different expressions, make a journey through the Mizu-no-Kamuy Area rich and rewarding.
You can watch the Mashu area from (3:18) in the video.

What Foods Should You Try in the Mizu-no-Kamuy Area? Eastern Hokkaido Cuisine Nurtured by the Blessings of Water and the Local Climate

The appeal of the Mizu-no-Kamuy Area is not limited to scenery, hot springs, and culture. Food unique to this land greatly enhances the satisfaction of the journey.
Around Kushiro Shitsugen Wetland, Lake Akan, and Lake Mashu, the ingredients nurtured by waterside blessings, the cool climate, and the expansive land differ from place to place, and the impression of the flavors also changes depending on where you visit.

Memories of travel are made more vivid not only by the landscapes you see, but also by the flavors you taste there. In Kushiro, close to the port, seafood has a strong presence. Around Lake Akan, you can encounter the blessings of the lake and the mountains. If you extend your trip toward Teshikaga and Kawayu Onsen, you can enjoy ingredients unique to inland areas and flavors rooted in the region. Even while traveling through the same broad area, the gradual changes in food impressions add greater depth to a journey through the Mizu-no-Kamuy Area.

In this region, as the scenery shifts from wetlands to lakes and hot spring towns, the way you enjoy food naturally changes as well. That is why planning your trip with "what to eat" in mind allows you to experience the appeal of this land in a more three-dimensional way.

Kushiro Area: Seafood and Robatayaki

Kushiro is one of Hokkaido's leading fishing port towns. Fresh seafood such as Pacific saury, shishamo smelt, autumn salmon, and horsehair crab can be found here.
Kattedon at Washo Market—an original seafood rice bowl where you choose your favorite seafood from shops in the market and place it on rice—is one of Kushiro's classic local foods.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

You can watch Washo Market's kattedon from (6:28) in the video.
Kushiro's robatayaki is a traditional Japanese dining style in which fresh ingredients are grilled over charcoal and eaten around an open hearth. It is deeply rooted in local culture. The experience of eating seafood slowly grilled over charcoal in an unpretentious restaurant offers a simple satisfaction different from photogenic tourist cuisine. The robata area near Kushiro Port is one place you will want to visit at night.
You can watch Kushiro's robatayaki from (6:46) in the video.

Lake Akan Area: Lake Blessings and Ainu Food Culture

At Lake Akan, winter wakasagi fishing is one of the popular experiences. Wakasagi, or Japanese smelt, is a type of freshwater fish. Some facilities allow you to eat the fish you catch as freshly fried tempura, offering the luxury of enjoying the lake's blessings directly. Around Akanko Ainu Kotan, more cafes and restaurants are also offering menus where visitors can encounter Ainu food culture. Ainu cuisine using venison, wild vegetables, and other ingredients offers flavors unique to an Ainu region with its own distinct food culture.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

Teshikaga and Mashu Area: Inland Blessings and Local Foods of a Hot Spring Region

Dairy farming is active around Teshikaga, and sweets and soft-serve ice cream made with local milk and dairy products are popular. At Kawayu Onsen, dinners at hot spring inns often feature ingredients from eastern Hokkaido, allowing visitors to experience the rich appeal of inland cuisine.
A well-known local specialty is Teshikaga ramen, characterized by soup made with underground water from Lake Mashu. Mashu soba, loved for its pleasant aroma and clean finish, and butadon pork rice bowls served with a fragrant sauce are also popular, expanding the enjoyment of a journey that does not end with scenery alone.

In recent years, Mashu melon (5:48) and Mashu mango (6:02) have also attracted attention as food topics from eastern Hokkaido. Mashu melon, cultivated using the clear waters of Lake Mashu and a climate that is cool yet blessed with sunlight, is known for its refreshing sweetness and firm flesh, and is also highly popular as a gift item. Production of Mashu mangoes through greenhouse cultivation is also spreading. The unexpectedness of growing a tropical fruit in northern land has made it a topic of interest and a popular travel souvenir. If you see them at places such as Roadside Station Mashu Onsen, be sure to take a look.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

How Can You Enjoy Each Season? Seasonal Highlights of the Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

The Mizu-no-Kamuy Area shows completely different expressions depending on the season. The dramatic change in scenery depending on when you travel is one of the great appeals of this region.

Spring to Summer (May to August): A Season of Green and Blue, Easy for First-Time Visitors to Explore

Approximate temperatures: May is around 8 to 10°C, while July and August are around 16 to 21°C. Although temperatures vary depending on the area and elevation, summers are cool compared with Honshu, Japan's main island. Long sleeves or a light outer layer will help you stay comfortable.
This is the season when the greenery of Kushiro Shitsugen Wetland deepens, and the rich blue of Lake Akan and Lake Mashu stands out beautifully. Because the daylight hours are long, you can enjoy a full day of activities. Nature-based activities such as Kushiro Wetland canoeing (6:53) and boardwalk walks are especially rewarding during this period. Escaping the summer heat of Honshu and spending time in cool eastern Hokkaido is also a pleasant option. Kushiro often has foggy days, so bringing one extra layer is recommended.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

Autumn (September to October): Autumn Leaves, Clear Air, and a Season You Will Want to Photograph

Approximate temperatures: September is around 13 to 18°C, while October is around 6 to 12°C. Mornings and evenings can be cold, so layered clothing is recommended.
The forests of Akan turn colorful, and the views from Lake Mashu's observation decks become even clearer. The air is clearer than in summer, and there are more days when distant views can be seen. This is also a season when tourist crowds become somewhat calmer, making it a hidden gem period for traveling slowly at your own pace.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

Winter (November to March): Red-Crowned Crane Watching, Snowy Scenery, and a Sacred Season for Hot Springs

Approximate temperatures: From December to February, temperatures are around −9 to −2°C. Cold can be especially severe inland and around Lake Akan, so be sure to prepare full winter gear such as warm outerwear, gloves, and winter boots.
Winter in eastern Hokkaido is crisp and severe, but the scenery created by that cold air is exceptional. Watching red-crowned cranes in snow-covered wetlands is an experience only winter can offer. Ice fishing for wakasagi on Lake Akan and the snowy scenery of Lake Mashu are also highlights. Above all, winter makes hot springs feel even more comforting. At both Lake Akan Onsen and Kawayu Onsen, open-air baths in the snow are exceptional. When you enter a bath in below-freezing air, steam rises thickly from the hot spring, creating a dreamlike world.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

From autumn to winter, especially September to February, Kushiro is also known for its breathtaking sunsets, counted among the "world's three great sunsets." The term "world's three great sunsets" refers to a concept passed down among travelers and writers around the world as places where especially beautiful sunsets can be seen, and Kushiro is counted as one of them.
The setting sun viewed from the Kushiro River area or around Nusamai Bridge (8:09) is a scene that stays in your travel memories for a long time. If you visit the Kushiro area, be sure to include time in your itinerary to look up at the sky at dusk.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

There are few regions where the scenery changes so much from season to season. This is one reason why many people who visit once want to return again.

How Do You Access the Mizu-no-Kamuy Area? Getting Around by Car, Public Transportation, and Bus

What Are the Recommended 1-Night, 2-Day and 2-Night, 3-Day Model Itineraries? Easy Routes for First-Time Visitors

Travel Through the Mizu-no-Kamuy Area, Connecting Kushiro Shitsugen Wetland, Lake Akan, and Lake Mashu

You are captivated by the endless expanse of Kushiro Shitsugen Wetland. At Lake Akan, you encounter the calm time flowing along the lakeshore and the depth of Ainu culture. At Lake Mashu, you stand speechless before a blue lake wrapped in silence. A journey through the Mizu-no-Kamuy Area gently connects each landscape and experience, and before you know it, they become one great travel story.

Image source :Mizu-no-Kamuy Area

The Mizu-no-Kamuy Area, traveled by connecting Kushiro Shitsugen Wetland, Lake Akan, and Lake Mashu, is a destination that leaves memories far deeper than simply visiting tourist spots. For your next trip to Hokkaido, why not choose this area as your destination—a place where you can slowly savor not only beautiful scenery, but also stillness, culture, hot springs, and food?

When planning your trip, bus schedules, sightseeing facility hours, and seasonal operations may change, so checking the latest information on official websites before departure will give you peace of mind. Also, depending on your country or region of residence, a visa may be required to enter Japan. Be sure to check before departure.
[Official Website] https://untouchedhokkaido.jp/en

*This article has been written based on information as of March 2026, under the supervision of the Mizu-no-Kamuy Area.

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