Introduction

Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost island. Spread across its eastern side, East Hokkaido holds quiet, spectacular scenery that many travelers have yet to discover. At its heart lies the town of Teshikaga.

Cradled by the magnificent nature of Akan-Mashu National Park(one of the national parks designated by the Japanese government to protect the natural environment), this town is dotted with Lake Kussharo, Japan's largest caldera lake (0:00); Lake Mashu, famed for its mysterious scenery; Mt. Io, where volcanic steam rises; and steam-wreathed Kawayu Onsen. Here, lakes, volcanoes, and hot springs come together in a single journey.

Standing on the shore of Lake Kussharo in Teshikaga is the Kussharo Prince Hotel. (0:20)

Photo: The full view of the Kussharo Prince Hotel standing on the shore of Lake Kussharo, an all-lake-view resort hotel

Every Western-style room faces the lake, and the hotel offers Kussharo Onsen hot-spring water welling up from 1,000 m underground, a buffet showcasing Hokkaido ingredients, and experiences unique to the area, such as morning canoe tours and sea-of-clouds tours.

For this article, we spoke with Kitazawa-san, who welcomes guests at the hotel every day, to share ways of enjoying the area that only someone working on-site would know. By the time you finish reading, you'll have a clear picture of a stay that may well make you want to choose the Kussharo Prince Hotel as your base for exploring East Hokkaido.

Why Does Staying Inside a National Park Make a Trip to Kussharo So Special?

Lake Kussharo is Japan's largest caldera lake, roughly 57 km in circumference and about 79.5 square kilometers in area. A caldera lake forms when rainwater and groundwater collect in the basin left after a major volcanic eruption causes the area around a summit to collapse. Scattered around the lake are sightseeing spots such as "Sunayu," where you can dig a little into the sand to enjoy a natural foot bath; the "Wakoto Peninsula," cloaked in old-growth forest; and "Tsubetsu Pass," known for its sea of clouds. There are also plenty of experiences whose appeal shifts with the time of day, from canoeing at the headwaters of the Kushiro River to sea-of-clouds tours.

Photo: Lake Kussharo, Japan's largest caldera lake, boasting a circumference of about 57 km

When enjoying Kussharo this way, your choice of lodging has a big impact on how satisfying the trip feels. As the only hotel on the lake shore within the caldera, the Kussharo Prince Hotel draws the quiet of Akan-Mashu National Park right into its rooms. Kussharo Prince Hotel is a resort hotel that serves both as a base for sightseeing and as a place where the stay itself becomes the point.

What Makes Its Location Beside Lake Kussharo and Akan-Mashu National Park So Special?

The Kussharo Prince Hotel stands right on the lakeshore. A Lakeside Garden spreads across the grounds, with the surface of Lake Kussharo visible just beyond it and a range of mountains lining the far shore.

Photo: The Lakeside Garden on the grounds of the Kussharo Prince Hotel

Set between lake and forest, with no major shopping areas nearby, the sky fills with glittering stars after dark. Sleeping inside a national park, waking, and heading out to the lake again in a setting where hardly a man-made structure intrudes on the view is something few places in Japan can offer.

Teshikaga sits within easy reach of three national parks: Akan-Mashu, Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, and Shiretoko National Park, making it a convenient base for touring East Hokkaido. Repeat visitors from around Hokkaido often say things like, "The scenery never gets old no matter how many times I come," and "It makes me want to visit in a different season and a different time of day each time."

Why Does a Stay That Lets You Savor "the Luxury of Nothing" Leave Such an Impression in Kussharo?

Many long-stay guests at the Kussharo Prince Hotel talk about "the comfort of doing nothing." Even without packing your schedule with sightseeing spots, you can gaze at the lake, soak in the hot spring, stroll through the garden, then return to your room to read. The setting is built for exactly this kind of stay.

In fact, thanks to the comfort of the rooms, the quality of the hot spring, and above all the view of Lake Kussharo, which never grows tiresome even over a long stay, many guests from outside Hokkaido enjoy long stays of around ten nights. Guests describe it less as ‘travel’ and more as ‘living in Kussharo for a while.’

Rather than racing from one attraction to the next, you settle into one place at a relaxed pace and take in the air of the region. For anyone seeking that kind of unhurried travel, the Kussharo Prince Hotel makes an ideal base.

Because it lies within a national park, development is restricted, so there are no flashy tourist facilities around. That very "nothingness" turns out to be the greatest luxury of all.

All Rooms Face the Lake—What Kind of Time Can You Share with Lake Kussharo?

Its expression changes with the season and the weather, but morning on Lake Kussharo shifts color little by little from the hours when the light is still soft. Open the curtains, and on some mornings mist drifts across the water; as the sky brightens, the mountains on the far shore and the look of the lake's surface slowly transform. Being able to watch that change from inside your room is a pleasure unique to a room facing Lake Kussharo. (0:26)

Photo: Lake Kussharo surrounded by nature and the exterior of the Kussharo Prince Hotel on its shore

When you return from sightseeing during the day, a completely different scene awaits. Around midday, Lake Kussharo catches the sun from directly overhead and its surface glitters blue. After 4 p.m., the lowering western sun begins to dye the water gold, and between 5 and 6 p.m. the lake's color drifts from gold to deep indigo.

After 8 p.m., once the sun has fully set, it's the stars' turn. Switch off the room lights and open the curtains, and a sky brimming with stars spreads out before you. With so few artificial lights nearby, even the Milky Way is clearly visible.

What sets the Kussharo Prince Hotel's rooms apart is that they face Lake Kussharo, letting you feel the lakeside nature up close throughout your stay. Whichever room you choose, open the curtains in the morning and there is Lake Kussharo; come back at midday and there is Lake Kussharo; and there it is again before you climb into bed at night. Because the lake is visible from every room, the sense of being connected to it lasts your entire stay.

What Makes Rooms Overlooking Lake Kussharo, Japan's Largest Caldera Lake, So Special?

The guest rooms are Western-style and fitted with large windows. Below the windows are wooden louvers (slatted vents), so on fine days you can open up and let the lakeside air into the room.

From May into June, the breeze off the lake is pleasantly cool; in July and August a refreshing wind passes through the room. By September, a touch of cooler air mixes in, and you can feel the change of seasons on your skin. As a rough guide, temperatures in the East Hokkaido area run about 5–13°C in spring (April–May), about 15–21°C in summer (June–August), and about 6–18°C in autumn (September–October). Even in summer it is cooler than Honshu, Japan's main island, so it's wise to bring long sleeves or a light layer.

Room types are wide-ranging: Twin Rooms, Lake View rooms, Family Rooms, Superior Double Rooms with a jet bath, Corner Triple Rooms, and Heartful Rooms designed with wheelchair users in mind.

Photo: A Western-style twin room with a large window overlooking Lake Kussharo

The top-floor Lake View rooms in particular are designed so that nothing blocks the view, letting you take in the lake to the fullest. The lineup suits all kinds of trips, from solo travel to family and group journeys.

Wi-Fi is available in the rooms and the lobby, so international travelers can stay with peace of mind. Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out at 11:00, letting you savor Lake Kussharo in the morning before you set off.

Why Do Guests Want to Stay Longer, Gazing at Lake Kussharo?

There's a reason so many guests stay multiple nights: the appeal of an extended stay gradually becomes apparent. On your first day, you’re struck by the sheer scale of Lake Kussharo.

Photo: The view of Lake Kussharo and the Kussharo Prince Hotel that never grows tiresome even over consecutive nights

On the second, you begin to settle into its quiet rhythms, with its fresh morning and shifting breeze.

By the third, you notice details you might otherwise have missed, such as the changing angle of the light, the shifting of the clouds, and even the changing patterns of the stars overhead. It looks like the same view, yet it differs a little each day. Enjoying these subtle changes is the real reward of an extended visit.

One repeat long-stay guest told us, "The lake wears a different face every morning, so I never tire of it. Some mornings are misty, others perfectly clear. And on rainy days, just watching the ripples spread across the water is enough to make the hours slip by."

Simply having Lake Kussharo spread out before you the moment you rise from bed changes how the day begins. Rooms where doing nothing never feels tedious are surprisingly rare. The guest rooms at the Kussharo Prince Hotel are spaces made for long stays and unhurried travel.

Around Lake Kussharo, What Differences in Scenery Await from Place to Place?

Lake Kussharo isn't a lake you take in from a single spot and call it done. Its north, south, east, and west shores each have spots with a different character, and just a short drive from the hotel brings you to an entirely different Kussharo.

Whether you come to take photographs or simply to relax while taking in the views, there's a way to enjoy it that suits you. This flexibility is part of the charm of this area.

Sunayu: How Can You Enjoy a Hot-Spring Experience Unique to Lake Kussharo and the Sight of Whooper Swans?

About a 30-minute drive from the hotel, Sunayu is one of Lake Kussharo's signature sightseeing spots. True to its name (literally "sand hot water"), dig a little into the lakeside sand and hot-spring water wells up. Scoop down about 20 cm and warm water gently seeps in, an experience that delights children and adults alike.

You can dig out your own foot bath and warm your feet while gazing at the lake. Even on a cold winter's day, soaking your feet while watching the swans makes for a lasting travel memory.

Photo: "Sunayu" on the shore of Lake Kussharo, where hot-spring water wells up when you dig into the sand

In winter (November to March), Whooper Swans can be seen arriving around Lake Kussharo to overwinter. Note, however, that the Kussharo Prince Hotel sets winter closure periods or limited-operation periods that vary by year, so if you plan to stay in winter, you'll need to check the operating status on the official website in advance.
In winter, East Hokkaido often drops below freezing from November to March, to roughly −8°C to −2°C, so it's reassuring to pack proper winter gear such as warm clothing, gloves, and insulated boots. The sight of the swans that have traveled several thousand kilometers from Russia floating on the water is breathtaking. Between 6 and 7 in the early morning, with mist rising off the lake, swans glide gracefully across it: a scene known as one of the defining winter landscapes of East Hokkaido.

Swans are wary, so take care not to get too close, but even from about 20 m away their graceful form is easy to enjoy. In the early-morning stillness, listening to the beat of the swans' wings and the sound of them pushing across the water is a luxury unique to Kussharo.

Photo: Whooper swans arriving to overwinter on Lake Kussharo in winter

The pairing of lake and swans makes an appealing subject for photography lovers and is popular with international travelers as well. Walking the shore while slowly following the swans is a far cry from rushing around famous sights, and a quintessentially Kussharo way to spend your time.

Wakoto Peninsula: How Can You Savor the Quiet Time Created by Forest and Lake Kussharo?

About a three-minute drive from the hotel, the Wakoto Peninsula is a small peninsula jutting into Lake Kussharo. The whole peninsula is covered in old-growth forest, and the Wakoto Peninsula Nature Trail, a loop of about 2.5 km that takes around an hour to walk, is well maintained.

Walk out to the tip of the peninsula and you reach an open spot with a 360-degree view of Lake Kussharo. From here the lake looks less like a lake and more like a calm inland sea. On days with almost no waves, when the surface is as still as a mirror, the boundary between sky and lake blurs and you feel as if you're floating in the sky.

Photo: The Wakoto Peninsula, covered in old-growth forest and jutting into Lake Kussharo

There's something to enjoy in every season: autumn foliage in fall, appealing white blooms of Asian skunk cabbage and rows of cherry trees from spring into summer. From late May to early June, Sargent's cherry (ezoyamazakura) blooms in profusion, tinting the lakeshore pink.

Walking the Wakoto Peninsula Nature Trail: How Do You Feel the Charm of Old-Growth Forest and Lakeshore?

If you'd like to take in the Wakoto Peninsula a little more deeply, we recommend walking the nature trail at a leisurely pace. Along the way you're greeted by forests of Yezo spruce and Sakhalin fir, lakeside wildflowers, and the soothing chirps and warbles of birdsong. Partway along is the open-air bath of Wakoto Onsen, an outdoor hot-spring bath (free, mixed bathing, swimwear permitted), where you can enjoy the luxury of soaking in a hot spring within the forest.

Photo: The open-air bath of Wakoto Onsen along the Wakoto Peninsula Nature Trail

Reading the interpretive signs as you walk through a forest of delicate wildflowers and trees, home to a variety of wildlife, feels less like sightseeing and more like melting into nature itself.

Along the trail, a sign explains how the Wakoto Peninsula came to be. It is a lava dome formed by volcanic activity around 6,000 years ago and is considered a geologically valuable site within Lake Kussharo. Knowing this background adds a new layer of enjoyment: not just walking, but walking while feeling the history of the land.

As you walk through the forest, you may spot a Hokkaido squirrel leaping from tree to tree or a wild bird perched on a branch. Stop for a moment and listen to the sounds of the forest: the wind stirring the trees, birdsong, waves lapping at the lakeshore. These small sounds layer together to make up the forests around Lake Kussharo.

Photo: A Hokkaido squirrel you can encounter in the old-growth forest of the Wakoto Peninsula

It's a place for sitting quietly with nature, and letting time pass you by without hurry.

Why Is the Panorama of Lake Kussharo Seen from Bihoro Pass So Special?

Bihoro Pass, about a 15-minute drive from the hotel, is a lookout with a sweeping view of Lake Kussharo. Seen from the pass at roughly 525 m above sea level, the lake is a spectacle that looks almost like looking down at a map.

Photo: Bihoro Pass, with a sweeping view of Lake Kussharo from about 525 m above sea level

It's also known as a place where, with a bit of luck, you can encounter a sea of clouds in the early morning. A sea of clouds is a natural phenomenon in which mist or low-lying clouds, viewed from a high vantage point, look like an ocean of cloud. In the early mornings from June to October (especially the morning after a clear day), a sea of clouds can spread over Lake Kussharo. Nakajima Island floating above the clouds with the blue of the lake glimpsed through their gaps makes for a scene you carry with you for a lifetime.

At the pass is the "Michi-no-Eki Gurutto Panorama Bihoro-toge" roadside station, with an observation deck, a restaurant, and a shop. A michi-no-eki, or roadside station, is a rest facility set along major roads throughout Japan, where you can also enjoy local ingredients, souvenirs, and light meals. The restaurant serves ageimo, a Bihoro Pass specialty. It's a simple dish of deep-fried Hokkaido potatoes, crispy on the outside and fluffy within, that warms you after standing in the cold mountain wind.

Photo: The "Michi-no-Eki Gurutto Panorama Bihoro-toge" roadside station overlooking Lake Kussharo

It's a place to feel the sheer scale of the sky spreading above the lake, and a spot worth visiting if you'd like to take some striking photos.

Kussharo Kotan Ainu Folklore Museum: How Can You Learn About the Culture Passed Down Alongside Lake Kussharo?

On the south side of Lake Kussharo, about a 10-minute drive from the hotel, is the Kussharo Kotan Ainu Folklore Museum. Kotan is an Ainu word meaning a settlement or village. The Ainu are an Indigenous people who have lived in Hokkaido and northern Japan since ancient times. The name "Kussharo" itself derives from the Ainu word "kutcharo" (the throat or outlet of a marsh), which shows how deeply this lake has been tied to Ainu life since long ago.

The museum displays traditional Ainu household tools, clothing, and crafts. The dugout canoes and fishing implements are especially interesting. On Lake Kussharo, the Ainu used dugout canoes to catch kokanee (landlocked sockeye salmon) and carp, living on the bounty of the lake.

The beauty of the garments and embroidery bearing Ainu patterns is another highlight. Traditional motifs such as the spiral "moreu" and the thorn-like "aiushi" each carry meanings, from warding off evil to praying for a bountiful catch.

Outside, a traditional dwelling called a "chise" (the Ainu word for "house") has been reconstructed, and you can tour its interior. With its thatched roof, an irori (a traditional sunken hearth set in the floor that serves as both fireplace and cooking spot), and an altar shelf, it lets you experience how the Ainu people lived.

Touching not only the scenery but also the history and culture of the land changes the depth of a trip entirely. Once you know that Lake Kussharo is not merely a "big lake" but "Kutcharo," deeply bound up with people's lives, the way you look at it changes too.

For fiscal 2026, the museum is open from April 10 to November 30. It's open every day during that period, but it's reassuring to check the latest opening status before you head out.

A Location That Lets You Get Moving from Early Morning: How Can You Make the Most of Kussharo's Nature Experiences?

Kussharo's appeal can't be captured by its daytime scenery alone. The early-morning lake, misty dawns, starlit nights: each part of the day offers scenery you can meet only then.

One of the great advantages of staying at the Kussharo Prince Hotel lies in this location that lets you get moving from early in the morning.

The Kushiro River Headwaters and the Lake Kussharo Morning Canoe: What Waterscapes Await?

The Headwaters of the Kushiro River
The Kushiro River's headwaters begin at the southern end of Lake Kussharo. The lake is also the source of the Kushiro River, which runs about 154 km before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. With no large dam on its main stream, the Kushiro is a rare river you can paddle by canoe all the way from source to mouth.

Photo: The Kushiro River, about 154 km long, originating at Lake Kussharo and flowing into the Pacific Ocean

The headwaters canoe tour, descending the roughly 3 km from Lake Kussharo to Midori Bridge, lets you feel how the lake, the forest, and the river connect, and it's popular with international travelers too. As your canoe leaves the lake, the river quickly narrows and the trees press in from both banks.

The current is gentle, so even first-time canoeists can relax and enjoy it. Drifting slowly down a quiet river ringed by forests of Yezo spruce and Sakhalin fir, you feel completely cut off from the bustle of everyday life.

With a little luck, you may encounter wildlife such as Hokkaido sika deer, Ezo red fox, and white-tailed eagles. On guided tours, you'll also learn about the plants and animals and the history of the Kushiro River.

The Lake Kussharo Morning Canoe Tour
The Lake Kussharo Morning Canoe Tour is an experience we especially recommend. You leave the hotel before dawn, while it's still dim, and head to the lakeside canoe station.

Photo: An image of Lake Kussharo and a canoe

Between 5 and 6 a.m., as the sky gradually begins to lighten, you paddle out onto the lake.

With morning mist hanging over the water, you ease the canoe forward until the world narrows to just you and the sound of your paddle. From beyond the mist, the mountains of the far shore slowly emerge, and the eastern sky begins to glow orange.

Before long, the sun peeks over the ridgeline and the lake's surface bursts into gold all at once. Witnessing that moment from out on the water evokes emotions that can’t quite be conveyed by words.

For travelers who want a trip where they take the photos themselves rather than just look at them, it's an unbeatable spot for photography. On the morning lake, the angle of the light shifts moment by moment, showing a different face each time you press the shutter.

The morning canoe takes about 30 minutes, so you can build a day around returning to the hotel for breakfast and then heading out sightseeing again.

Sea of Clouds and Birdwatching: What Can You Meet That Only an East Hokkaido Morning Offers?

Lake Kussharo Sea-of-Clouds Guided Tour at Tsubetsu Pass
About a 90-minute drive from the hotel, Tsubetsu Pass is known as a spectacular sea-of-clouds spot with a sweeping view of Lake Kussharo. When the lake, seen from the pass at roughly 947 m above sea level, is blanketed in a sea of clouds, it looks like an island floating on an ocean of cloud. (0:22)

Photo: The sea of clouds covering Lake Kussharo, seen from Tsubetsu Pass at about 947 m above sea level

Created by the unique combination of the distinctive weather conditions and caldera terrain around Lake Kussharo, the early-morning sea of clouds is a scene you'll remember for a lifetime. It's most likely to form in the early mornings from June to October, especially the morning after a clear day when radiative cooling has occurred.

On the Lake Kussharo sea-of-clouds tour, an expert guide judges the likelihood of the phenomenon and leads you up to the pass at the best timing. The first thing that meets your eyes on arrival is an ocean of cloud stretching as far as you can see. Through gaps in the clouds, the blue surface of Lake Kussharo peeks out, with Nakajima Island floating above the clouds.

Your guide brews morning coffee, so you can savor the golden, glowing sea of clouds with a warm cup in hand. The clouds change shape moment by moment, swirling or parting as the wind moves them. Just watching that transformation, you lose track of time.

Lake Kussharo Stargazing Guided Tour at Tsubetsu Pass
At night, there's also the Lake Kussharo Stargazing Guided Tour at Tsubetsu Pass, where an expert guide introduces a sky full of stars. With almost no artificial light around, Tsubetsu Pass is ideal for stargazing.

Photo: A stargazing guided tour enjoying a sky full of stars at Tsubetsu Pass, where artificial light is scarce

Pointing out constellations with a laser pointer, the guide shares the myths behind them. You can enjoy a different night sky each season: the Milky Way in summer, Orion in winter, the Big Dipper in spring. And the wonder of catching a shooting star is like nothing else.

Wildlife to Find Around Lake Kussharo
In winter, following animal tracks left across the snowfields is a popular experience. From prints in the snow left by Hokkaido sika deer, Ezo red fox, mountain hare, and others, you read which animal headed in which direction. Walking while listening to the guide's explanations, the snowy forest comes to look like a completely different world.

Watching a small wild bird called the shima-enaga (long-tailed tit) is another winter pleasure. About 13 cm long, these tiny birds move in flocks in winter. Watching them peck at berries and flit from branch to branch never gets old.

Photo: The shima-enaga (long-tailed tit), a small wild bird seen around Lake Kussharo in winter

Birdwatching is at its most rewarding in the stillness of early morning. Birdsong, the beat of wings, the crunch of snow underfoot: time spent listening closely to such small sounds lingers as a memory of the trip.

Cycling and Glamping: What Stay-and-Play Time Can You Enjoy in Kussharo?

Lake Kussharo Cycling Tour
Around the hotel are cycling courses for both beginners and the more athletic, including a Kussharo cycling tour that takes in Lake Kussharo and Mt. Mokoto on an electric-assist E-bike. (0:43)

Choose a flat lakeside route and you can ride at a relaxed pace, enjoying the scenery. Between the exhilaration of cutting through the wind, the flowers blooming along the shore, and the mountains across the water, there's a side of Kussharo you can only experience by bicycle.

There's also a course that stops at the Kussharo Kotan Ainu Folklore Museum along the way and returns by motorboat, so you enjoy different scenery on the way out and back. Lake Kussharo seen from a motorboat has a force all its own, quite different from viewing it from land.

In Summer, Enjoy Glamping on the Kussharo Prince Hotel Grounds
In summer (June–September), a glamping facility called Hokkaido Nature Village in Kussharo appears within the Lakeside Garden, where you can enjoy a tent sauna and a barbecue dinner in the garden on the shore of Lake Kussharo. (0:39)

Photo: The glamping facility that appears in the Lakeside Garden for the summer season only

Each glamping site comes with a tent, table, chairs, and a fire pit, so you can enjoy it with no equipment needed. At the barbecue dinner, you grill Hokkaido meat and vegetables over charcoal while gazing at the lake. A meal eaten while watching the sun go down is incomparable.

After working up a sweat in the tent sauna, cool down in the lake in place of a cold plunge. Whether you want to sway in a hammock on the terrace, or take in the seasonal flowers in the Lakeside Garden, there's everything you need for a fulfilling day even without venturing far.

*The availability of the glamping facility and activities may change depending on the season. Please check the official website for the latest information.

After a Day Spent in Nature, What Awaits at Kussharo Onsen?

From morning onward, you’ll be out exploring, gazing at the lake, walking the forest, paddling a canoe, taking photos, riding a bike, and more. A day in Kussharo uses your body more than you'd expect. What rounds off such a day is Kussharo Onsen, welling up from underground. An onsen is a uniquely Japanese bathing culture in which you soak in natural water warmed by the earth's heat.

Sinking a body tired from a day of sightseeing quietly into the bath, and letting it restore itself, makes your stay even more rewarding. It's precisely because you have both time to take in the scenery and time to rest your body that a trip to Kussharo gains real depth.

What Are the Characteristics of the Kussharo Onsen Spring Water?

The Kussharo Prince Hotel has a spacious communal bath where many people can bathe at once. At Japanese onsen hotels, some properties provide a large public bath, separate from the bathroom in your room, that can accommodate many guests. No swimwear is needed; you use a towel. The Kussharo Onsen water here is a sodium–calcium sulfate/chloride spring (a neutral, hypotonic, high-temperature spring), welling up from 1,000 m underground at a spring temperature of 45.0°C and a flow of as much as 280 liters per minute.

Photo: The open-air bath of Kussharo Onsen, welling up from 1,000 m underground

Rich in salts and carbon dioxide gas, it's expected to help retain moisture, support the skin's metabolism, and stimulate the work of the capillaries.

As general onsen benefits, it's reputed to be effective for promoting health, as well as help relieve a wide range of conditions, including neuralgia, joint pain, fatigue, poor circulation, and muscle stiffness, among others. It's a welcome kind of water for warming the body after sightseeing.

The large bath is open from 14:00 to 24:00, and again from 5:00 to 10:00 the next morning. Once in the afternoon when you return from sightseeing, once more after dinner, and once again after you wake: At Kussharo Prince Hotel, the luxury of bathing in the hot spring several times a day is yours.

Please note that many onsen facilities may decline entry to guests with tattoos. Be sure to check with each facility.

Bathe at 5 in the early morning and you can watch the sky begin to brighten through the rising steam. Greeting the start of the day amid the stillness unique to Kussharo is something truly special.

The Open-Air Bath: How Can You Savor the Forest Air and the Quiet?

The open-air bath has a roof and is designed so you can ease your travel fatigue while looking out over the garden. A dedicated elevator lets you come straight from your room in your yukata and sandals, so after your bath you can head right back to relax in your room.

In the open-air bath, you can rest your body at leisure while feeling the forest air on your skin. At the end of a day spent on the move, sinking into a quiet bath gently wraps the afterglow of your travels.

Soak in the open-air bath at night and look up, and you'll see the stars. Bathing while gazing at a starry sky spread out beyond the steam is a luxury unique to Kussharo. Taking a moment to relax while looking over the garden after your bath is a luxury too.

With a Barrel Sauna, How Does Lakeside Rest Change?

Don't overlook the guests-only private barrel sauna, either. In a reserved barrel sauna set within the Lakeside Garden on the shore of Lake Kussharo, with the lake right before you, you can reach the deeply relaxed state attained by repeating sauna, cold plunge, and open-air cooling (in Japan, this is expressed as "totonou," getting into balance).

Photo: The private barrel sauna set within the Lakeside Garden on the shore of Lake Kussharo

It's available for private use, one unit at a time, from May 7 to October 31. Operating hours are split into two sessions: a morning session from 8:00 to 10:00 and an afternoon session from 15:00 to 17:00.

A barrel sauna is a small sauna shaped like a wooden barrel, suitable for about two to four people. Warmed by a wood stove, the sauna room gradually heats your body from its core.

Photo: The interior of the barrel sauna, which warms your body from its core with a wood stove

After you've worked up a sweat, step straight into Lake Kussharo right in front of you. The lake water is cold and cools your sauna-flushed body all at once. Once you're out, settle into a deck chair for the open-air cool-down. Gazing at the lake, you slowly steady your breathing.

Repeat this "sauna → lake → open-air cooling" for about three rounds and you'll loosen up from the core, wrapped in a pleasant tiredness. For sauna lovers, time spent feeling completely refreshed while gazing at the lake will surely make for an unforgettable night.

Combined with the hot spring in the large bath, it makes for a stay that tunes your body from the core.

*Sauna availability may change depending on the season. Please check the official website for the latest information.

What Hokkaido Flavors Can You Enjoy at the Kussharo Prince Hotel?

Once the hot spring has set your body right, it's time to eat. One of the joys of travel is, after all, the food. At the Kussharo Prince Hotel, the restaurants let you enjoy both the scenery and the cuisine.

Restaurant "Loupeigne": What Hokkaido Flavors Can You Discover?

Restaurant "Loupeigne" is a glass-walled space surrounded by a large pond and greenery, with star-inspired lighting glittering across a soaring ceiling ten meters high, a restaurant with a dreamlike atmosphere. (0:31)

Photo: The glass-walled, open and airy restaurant "Loupeigne"

Hours are 7:00–9:30 for breakfast (last order 9:00) and 18:00–21:00 for dinner (last order 20:30). Certified as the very first "Kita no Megumi Aishoku Restaurant" (a Hokkaido program promoting locally sourced dining), it serves dishes that make a point of using Hokkaido ingredients.

Dining while looking out through the glass at the forest and pond, you really feel that you're at a table inside a national park. In this open, airy space, a meal taken while sensing the nature of Kussharo broadens the pleasures of your stay even further.

A Japanese–Western–Chinese Buffet to Suit Every Appetite
What you'll enjoy at Loupeigne is a varied buffet of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes. A lineup of dishes prepared in the chef’s own style lets you choose to match your mood that day.

Photo: A Japanese-Western-Chinese buffet showcasing Hokkaido ingredients

Photo: [Top left] fragrant, flavorful hanasaki crab; [Top right] the No.1 most-repeated ramen — Japanese-style soy sauce ramen, miso ramen, salt ramen; [Bottom left] Gouda cheese melted at high heat; [Bottom right] perfectly cooked roast beef

Being free to decide your own pace and combinations is the beauty of a buffet. On a day you've been active since morning, lean toward the meat dishes; on a quieter day, center your meal on fish and vegetables. You can choose to suit how you feel.

For those who prefer a set menu, there are Western-style courses: YAMANAMI (¥11,000), SORA (¥13,000), and CALDERA (¥16,000). If you stay multiple nights, you can alternate between the buffet and a course from day to day.

"Lakeside Breakfast" on the Shore of Lake Kussharo
The Lakeside Breakfast, where you enjoy a lakeside morning meal in a picnic mood, is a popular breakfast offering; in 2026 it runs as a seasonal, reservation-only plan from June 1 to September 30. A morning spent opening a basket while gazing at Lake Kussharo stays with you as a special memory.

Photo: The Lakeside Breakfast, savoring a picnic mood on the shore of Lake Kussharo

At Night, Savor the Afterglow of Your Travels at the Modern Bar-Lounge "La Gloriette"
On the first floor is the lounge "La Gloriette." (0:46) It's open from 20:00 to 22:00 (last order 21:45). With the atmosphere of a modern bar floating on the pond, you can enjoy fine spirits from around the world and original cocktails.

Enjoying a quiet drink at the end of the evening is the perfect way to linger over the lakeside atmosphere.

Including the Surrounding Food Scene, How Far Do Hokkaido Flavors Reach?

After getting a taste of Hokkaido ingredients through the hotel's meals, you'll want to venture out to the local food scene nearby. A short drive opens up a treasure trove of regional cuisine: oysters from Akkeshi, cheese from the Konsen region, and fresh dairy delivered from neighboring farms.

Being able to enjoy both the meals at the hotel and the local restaurants and specialties nearby is one of the real pleasures of a stay in Kussharo.

Akkeshi oysters are known as a high-quality brand shipped year-round thanks to proprietary techniques. There are three major brands: "Kaki-emon," marked by a rich sweetness; the large, milky "Maru-emon"; and the rare premium oyster "Benten-kaki". Because they grow slowly in the cold waters off Akkeshi, their flavor is exceptionally rich and concentrated.

Photo: Akkeshi oysters, an East Hokkaido brand marked by a rich sweetness

About an hour and a half by car from the hotel, it is close enough to combine sightseeing toward the Kushiro Wetlands or Nemuro with great food. Eaten raw or grilled, Akkeshi oysters are one of the pleasures of an East Hokkaido drive.

How Does Good Access Connect to How Easily You Can Plan Your Kussharo Sightseeing?

The Kussharo Prince Hotel sits in a convenient location as a base for touring East Hokkaido. Looking at access not as mere directions but together with how easily you can build an itinerary, you start to see why this hotel gets chosen.

Easy to Get Around Lake Kussharo, So Trip Planning Is Simple
The hotel sits right on the shore of Lake Kussharo, with good access to major spots such as Sunayu, the Wakoto Peninsula, and Bihoro Pass. Sunayu is about 30 minutes away by car, the Wakoto Peninsula about 3 minutes, and Bihoro Pass about 15 minutes, each being within easy reach for a casual visit.

A free shuttle bus runs between JR Mashu Station and the hotel, making the trip between the hotel and the station smooth. You can check the schedule on the hotel's official website.

Photo: JR Mashu Station, where the Kussharo Prince Hotel's free shuttle bus arrives and departs

From Memanbetsu Airport it's about an hour by car under normal conditions, and from Kushiro Airport about an hour and 45 minutes. If you rent a car, you can go straight from the airport to the hotel and head out to explore the surroundings from there. From Tokyo (Haneda Airport), it's about an hour and 45 minutes by air to Memanbetsu Airport and about an hour and 40 minutes to Kushiro Airport. Visitors from overseas typically connect to a domestic flight in Tokyo or Sapporo. To rent a car you'll need an International Driving Permit, and remember that Japan drives on the left. From around November to March in winter, roads can become snowy due to snowfall and ice, so choose a car fitted with studless (winter) tires or check with each car-rental company.

Even on a short two-day, one-night stay, it's entirely possible to cover the main spots around Lake Kussharo. With three days and two nights, you can also work in hands-on programs such as the morning canoe, a sea-of-clouds tour, and cycling.

Stay several nights and you can even set aside a day without venturing far, to spend leisurely at the hotel.

An East Hokkaido Base That's Easy to Extend Toward Lake Mashu, Abashiri, and Shiretoko
The Kussharo Prince Hotel is convenient not only for the area around Lake Kussharo but as a base for sightseeing across all of East Hokkaido. Lake Mashu is about 30 minutes away by car and Mt. Io about 30 minutes, putting the main spots of Akan-Mashu National Park close at hand.

It's about an hour and 20 minutes by car toward Abashiri and about two hours and 10 minutes toward Shiretoko, close enough for day trips. You could build an itinerary like the first night around Lake Kussharo, the second around Lake Mashu and Mt. Io, and the third venturing out toward Shiretoko.

Precisely because there's the reassurance of returning to the hotel to rest, it becomes easier to widen the range of your sightseeing.

The Kushiro Wetlands are also within day-trip range at about an hour and 20 minutes by car. Using the Kussharo Prince Hotel as your base, you can put together a trip that efficiently takes in all three national parks.

Broaden Your View to All of East Hokkaido and Kussharo Sightseeing Gets Even More Interesting

Rather than wrapping things up around Lake Kussharo alone, use the Kussharo Prince Hotel as a base for wider-area sightseeing that also takes in the Kushiro Wetlands and the Nemuro direction, and the scope of your trip expands dramatically.

By planning your itinerary around the hotel, you can fully savor the charms of East Hokkaido for a trip that doesn't end with Kussharo alone.

An East Hokkaido Drive That Extends to the Kushiro Wetlands, Notsuke Peninsula, and Shari
Kushiro Shitsugen National Park is about an hour and 20 minutes from the hotel by car. As Japan's largest wetland, it's known as a habitat for red-crowned cranes and other wildlife. From the Kushiro Marsh Observatory and the Hosooka Observatory, you can take in the vast wetland at a glance.

Photo: Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, about an hour and 20 minutes by car from the hotel

Venture toward Nemuro and you'll find the Notsuke Peninsula. At about 26 km long, it's one of Japan's largest sand spits (a peninsula of sand), with a distinctive landscape that feels almost otherworldly.

The scenery of standing dead Sakhalin firs known as "Todowara" is popular as a photogenic spot. It's a bit of a distance at about two hours by car from the hotel, but it's well worth working in as a destination on an East Hokkaido drive.

Go further to Shari Town and there's a straight road called the "Road to Heaven." Running dead straight for about 28 km, it's a spectacular spot that creates the illusion of being drawn up into the sky.

Photo: The "Road to Heaven," a spectacular straight road in Shari Town

Widely shared on social media, it’s a destination no photography-minded traveler should pass up.

How Do You Put Together a Manageable Model Course for Kussharo Sightseeing?

A Two-Day, One-Night Model Course
On day one, tour the area around Lake Kussharo (Sunayu, the Wakoto Peninsula, Bihoro Pass); on day two, try the morning canoe and then visit Lake Mashu and Mt. Io for a leisurely route you can cover without rushing.

A Three-Day, Two-Night Model Course
An itinerary like the area around Lake Kussharo on day one, the Kushiro Wetlands on day two, and the morning canoe plus a sea-of-clouds tour on day three is doable. If you spend the morning of day three relaxing at the hotel and check out in the afternoon, you can finish your trip on a relaxed note.

A Four-Day, Three-Night Model Course
For a longer stay of four days and three nights or more, you can split the days by area: around Lake Kussharo, Lake Mashu, the Kushiro Wetlands, the Shiretoko area, and the Nemuro area, allowing you to keep each day's travel distance short.

We also recommend setting aside one day without venturing far, to spend relaxing at the hotel. Whether you are reading in the Lakeside Garden, or simply bathing in the hot spring again and again, a slow day at the hotel often turns out to be one of the most memorable parts of the trip.

In Summary: To Travel Kussharo Is to Enjoy the Time You Spend at the Kussharo Prince Hotel, Too

Sightseeing in Kussharo isn't only about visiting famous spots; where you stay and how you spend your time greatly change the impression a trip leaves. The Kussharo Prince Hotel is both a base for exploring the area around Lake Kussharo and a hotel where the stay itself becomes the purpose of the journey.

Photo: The exterior of the Kussharo Prince Hotel, where the stay itself becomes the purpose of the journey

Lake-view rooms throughout, Kussharo Onsen welling up from 1,000 m underground, a buffet showcasing Hokkaido ingredients, experiences like the morning canoe and sea-of-clouds tours, and the quiet of staying within a national park. Together, these are what make a stay in Kussharo unlike any other.

It is the staff of Kussharo Prince Hotel who make these lakeside moments possible. Sales Manager Yasuaki Kitazawa, who meets guests every day, shares his thoughts:

Photo: Mr. Yasuaki Kitazawa, Sales Manager, Kussharo Prince Hotel

"Standing on the shores of Lake Kussharo, Japan's largest caldera lake, our hotel is a tranquil retreat enveloped in majestic nature and serene stillness. With scenery that transforms through the four seasons, natural hot springs, and cuisine made with local ingredients, we offer moments that gently ease the heart.
Step away from your everyday life and enjoy time that flows at its own unhurried pace."

Not just going to see the scenery, but sleeping beside it, waking, and heading out again. If that sounds like your kind of journey, why not make the Kussharo Prince Hotel your base for your next trip to East Hokkaido?

What Are the Facility Details and Access for the Kussharo Prince Hotel?

※This article is based on information from an interview conducted with Kussharo Prince Hotel as of July 2026.

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