Mashu⭐︎ Snowland 2025 Returns This Year After closing to great acclaim last year, Mashu⭐︎ Snowland is back this winter with even more to enjoy. Expect a very long snowy slide, midwinter barbecue, a fun raffle, and many other activities. Bring your friends and family and join us! Mashu⭐︎ Snowland 2025 Event Details Date and Time: Saturday, February 15, 2025, 10:00–20:00 Venue: Yunoshi­ma Park, Teshikaga Highlights: a very long snowy slide, candy toss, Snowball Fight Japan Championship, midwinter barbecue, fireworks display, and a fun raffle * Admission is free and open to everyone. * Purchase a barbecue ticket with a raffle coupon to enjoy midwinter barbecue at the venue and enter the fun raffle! Barbecue Ticket with Raffle Coupon Presale midwinter barbecue ticket: 1,500 yen; same-day ticket: 2,000 yen * Both presale and same-day tickets include entry to the fun raffle. Main Ticket Outlets: Shokudo to Kissa poppotei / Third place Livingbar221 Sumika Ishibana Kikin / Mashu Izakaya Mokkiriya Inquiries: Mashu⭐︎ Snowland Executive Committee (090-5951-9471 Nishizaki) Supported by: Teshikaga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mashu Lake Agricultural Cooperative Association and Mashu Lake Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association)

The Mashu and Kussharo sightseeing loop buses convenient for Teshikaga tourism, the "Teshikaga Eco Passport," will operate this winter 2025 on the following schedule. You can enjoy Teshikaga’s spectacular scenery with peace of mind even in winter. Please make use of this service 🌱🚌 [Operation and Sales Period] January 25, 2025 (Saturday) – March 2, 2025 (Sunday) [Routes] ● Mashu Lake Bus ※Scheduled to run three times a day JR mashu station ⇔ Roadside Station ⇔ Lake Mashu Kamuy Terrace ⇔ ⇔ Lake Mashu First Observatory ● Kussharo Bus ※Scheduled to run twice a day JR Kawayu Onsen Station ⇔ Mount Io ⇔ Taiho Sumo Memorial Museum ⇔ ⇔ Nibushi ⇔ Sunayu (sandy hot spring) ⇔ Kotan ⇔ Maruyama ⇔ Toondō ⇔ ⇔ Roadside Station ⇔ JR mashu station [Sales Locations] Onboard limited-time bus sales, Oyado Kinkiyu, Bettei Suikazura, Hotel Parkway, HOSTEL MISATO, Youth Guesthouse Kussharo Plain, Mashu Station Tourist Information (8:30–16:00 / open daily during the period) [Fares] Adult 2-day pass: ¥2,000; 3-day pass: ¥3,000 Child 2-day and 3-day passes: ¥1,000 [Inquiries] Mashu Lake Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association) TEL: 015-482-2200 9:00–17:00 (closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays) For details, check the Teshikaga Navi official site from the profile URL!! 🚌❄️♨️

Currently, the award-winning works of the 2024 Onneto Photo Contest are on display inside Roadside Station Ashoro Ginga Hall 21. Come see these wonderful photographs that capture the four seasons of beautiful Onneto!

Lake Mashu in winter Lake Mashu boasts a depth of No.1 in Japan and is the second deepest lake in the world after Lake Squid Caldera, and it is suddenly deep, and due to its transparency, there is little reflection of light other than blue, and you can see Lake Mashu's Roux, which is especially blue and deep indigo in clear winter. The mountain in the background is Mt. Shari, and Kamuish Island can be seen in the foreground

This is a recent (December 20) look at Onneto. Snow covers the lake surface, but brushing it away reveals frozen trees and ice bubbles. As noted previously, walking on a frozen lake is very dangerous. For details on how to reach the lake in winter, please see the link below (tourism association website). https://www.town.ashoro.hokkaido.jp/kanko/spot/onneto_area/spot-13.html...

This is the scene at Onneto this morning, Friday, December 6. The temperature is relatively mild, and many hot-water pits toward the back of the lake have prevented the ice from forming there. The ice seems to be repeatedly freezing and thawing, making it extremely dangerous, so please exercise great caution when approaching the lake surface. Also, as I have reported several times recently, the Onneto Line road from Nonaka Onsen to the lake is closed today and is now closed to vehicles for the winter. If you walk to the lake, be sure to take proper snow and cold-weather precautions and avoid accidents. Onneto is now heading into full winter❄️

This is the state of Lake Onneto as of Monday, December 2. Parts of the lake’s surface are frozen, but the ice remains thin in many areas. In recent years, more visitors have come to see the ice bubbles, but places where natural gas escapes have very weak ice strength, and some spots may never freeze solid even in full winter. For that reason, walking on the lake is extremely dangerous and is not recommended by the local tourism association. As previously announced, Road 949 leading to Onneto (the gate in front of the hot spring) is scheduled to close on December 6. When you visit, please take thorough snow and cold-weather precautions, and enjoy Onneto in winter safely.

It’s autumn at Onneto. The fall colors have mostly faded, and the lake stands quietly as winter approaches. I haven’t posted in a while, but I plan to share updates little by little from now on!

Nice to meet you, everyone! My name is Kushiro Tourism & Convention Association! We will disseminate information about Kushiro City, Hokkaido, an attractive city where nature and culture live. Thank you very much. Kushiro City, Hokkaido is located in eastern Hokkaido Eastern Hokkaido region and is blessed with nature with two national parks, Kushiro Shitsugen National Park and Akan Mashu National Park. There are two main gateways to Kushiro City: Tancho Kushiro Airport for access by plane and JR Kushiro Station for access by train. ◎ Haneda Airport 〜 Tancho Kushiro Airport ... Approx. 1 hour 45 minutes ◎ Kushiro Airport 〜 JR Kushiro Station ... About 30 minutes by car or 45 minutes by bus ◎ JR Sapporo Station 〜 JR Kushiro Station ... Approx. 4 hours JR Kushiro Station has a bus terminal for city lines, so please use it for sightseeing in Kushiro city. Kushiro's summer climate is one of the coolest cities in Hokkaido, with an average maximum temperature of about 21.4 degrees Celsius. There is no residual heat, and in September, the temperature drops below 20 degrees and you can spend a comfortable time. In winter, there is little snow, and the first snow is around November. It is an area with little snow in Hokkaido. Kushiro, with its vast wetlands, beautiful lakes, and rich wildlife, is full of attractions. Since it faces the Kushiro River and the Sea of Okhotsk, you can also enjoy fresh seafood. Here are some of the fascinating tourist spots! 【 Kushiro Shitsugen National Park 】 It is a national park with the largest wetland in Japan, with a total area of 287.8 km², which is the size that completely encompasses Tokyo. It is also a habitat for valuable animals and plants such as the natural monument cranes, and the Japanese white-bellied cranes and the white-bellied cranes. 【 Akan Mashu National Park 】 It is a historic park designated as the second national park in Japan by 1934 Showa 9. With a total area of 914.13 km², you can see calderas formed by volcanoes such as Lake Akan, Lake Kussharo, and Lake Mashu in the park. 【 Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve 】 Opened in 1958, this wetland park was created for the purpose of protecting and nurturing red-crowned cranes, which are special natural monuments. In 1970, we succeeded in artificially hatching cranes for the first time in the world, and this facility possesses this technology and cranes breeding technology. You can appreciate the rarest cranes throughout the year. 【 Lake Akan 】 Located in Akan Mashu National Park in the northern part of Kushiro City, this lake has been rated three stars by the Michelin Green Guide Japan, and is a tourist spot that represents eastern Hokkaido. Marimo, a special natural monument, also inhabits the area, and you can enjoy sightseeing boats, autumn leaves, and Japanese smelt fishing in winter when the lake surface freezes. 【 Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf MOO 】 Opened in 1989, it is a commercial complex where you can enjoy shopping and events of Hokkaido famous confectionery. The innovative exterior design with the motif of Kushiro's nature was designed by Mr. Kiko Mozuna, an architect from Kushiro. At the Minato Yatai on the 2nd floor, you can enjoy fresh seafood and other Kushiro gourmet dishes. Please stop by for souvenirs and meals. 【 Kushiro City Zoo 】 Opened in 1975, it is the largest zoo in Hokkaido. You can also observe Ezomomon moths, cranes, polar bears, etc. There is also an amusement park and a barbecue corner in the park, which is a recommended spot for families and animal lovers. 【 Road Station Akan Tancho no Sato 】 Akan Tancho no Sato is a roadside station located along National Route 240, halfway between Kushiro city and the shore of Lake Akan. At the hot spring facility "Red Beret" on the premises, you can enjoy 100% free-flowing natural hot springs. In addition, the restaurant offers a menu that uses local ingredients such as Akan Momiji, Akan Pork, Akan Black Wagyu Beef, and Akan Malt Beef. 【 Kushiro Akachochin Yokocho 】 Started operating in bicycle-towed food cart in 1952 after the war, it is the oldest food stall village in Hokkaido. About a 15-minute walk from JR Kushiro Station, there are many unique shops with a taste that retains the remnants of the Showa era. 【 Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train 】 Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train is a sightseeing train that runs through the Kushiro wetlands. You can fully feel the magnificent view of the marshland spreading out the train window. Kushiro is also famous for its delicious seafood. Here are some recommended markets. Along with Sapporo Nijo Market and Hakodate Morning Market, Kushiro Washo Market is called the "Three Major Markets in Hokkaido" and is popular with locals. You can enjoy the local taste in a lively atmosphere, and the famous "Katsutedon" is exquisite, which is eaten on a bowl by choosing a lot of fresh ingredients. In addition, various festivals are expected to take place in 2023. Please participate in events such as "KIRI FESTIVAL 2023", "The 76th Kushiro Port Festival" and "20th Kushiro Tairyo Donpaku" where you can feel the local traditions and culture, and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Kushiro City, Hokkaido is an attractive city where nature and culture are in harmony, and you can spend quality time. We will send out the charms of Kushiro City, which still has many more, in COOL JAPAN VIDEOS, so thank you!

The seasonal winter road closure on the prefectural road leading to Onneto, the mysterious lake in Ashorocho, was lifted on April 7. Most of Onneto is now ice-free except for a few patches. Please come visit Ashorocho during Golden Week! Note: Onneto is about a 45-minute drive from town. It is colder at the site than in town, so dress warmly. There is no direct public transportation to Onneto, so please use a rental car or other private transport.

Hello everyone! This is the Mashu Lake Tourism Association. We will introduce many highlights and ways to enjoy Teshikaga in Hokkaido to viewers of Cool Japan Video! First, can everyone read the name "Teshikaga"? It is pronounced "Teshikaga". When people think of Hokkaido, Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo come to mind as popular spots visited by many tourists, and both lakes are located in Teshikaga. Lake Mashu spreads out in a deep blue and is known as the sacred lake. Its blue surface is called Mashu Blue and boasts the highest transparency in Japan and ranks among the world’s very clearest lakes. To fully enjoy this beautiful lake surface, we recommend visiting the observatories. The Lake Mashu First Observatory is the most popular lookout, attracting about one million visitors a year. It has a large parking lot and rest house with restrooms, so you can stop by to take a break. The Lake Mashu Third Observatory and Uramashu Observatory also offer free parking and let you see different faces of Lake Mashu. From the Lake Mashu First Observatory and the Lake Mashu Third Observatory, when luck and weather conditions are favorable, the entire lake can be covered in fog, and the settled mist can appear as a sea of clouds. Lake Kussharo is one of the world’s largest caldera lakes and the largest caldera lake in Japan (a lake formed when a volcanic crater filled with water after an eruption). Numerous natural hot springs gush out along the lakeshore, so you can enjoy hot springs in open-air baths and saunas that make the most of nature, as well as in large hotels. In summer you can fully enjoy water sports such as camping, canoeing, and sailing. Across the great outdoors of Teshikaga you can also enjoy activities like horseback riding, golf, fishing, cycling, and dairy farm experiences. When you visit Teshikaga, please also savor the town’s local specialties and gourmet foods. These include Mashu Soba, known as the prized "phantom soba" for its careful quality; Mashu Melon, in season from early to late August; potatoes packed with the bounty of the land; and popular products from Teshikaga farms such as Mashu Pork and Mashu Wagyu. Teshikaga in Hokkaido is conveniently accessible by car—about 75 minutes from Kushiro Airport and about 70 minutes from Memanbetsu Airport. Please come and enjoy the vast nature of Teshikaga. Through Cool Japan Video, we will continue to bring you attractions and travel information about Teshikaga, Lake Mashu, and Lake Kussharo, so please follow us if you like!

What kind of place is Ashorocho? Welcome, viewers of Cool Japan Video—let us introduce you in depth to Ashorocho’s charms and sightseeing spots! Ashorocho sits in the northeastern part of Tokachi and is the largest municipality in Japan by area. Forestry and agriculture thrive here, and about 80% of the town’s land is forest. The population is around 6,500. Within the town you mainly travel by car, and driving access from major cities in Hokkaido is as follows. • About 1 hour by car from Obihiro • About 1.5 hours by car from Kushiro • About 1.5 hours by car from Kitami • About 3.5 hours by car from Sapporo • About 3.5 hours by car from Asahikawa One popular sightseeing spot in Ashorocho’s center is Ashoro Ginga Hall 21. Originally built as Ashoro Station on the Hokkaido Chihoku Kogen Railway’s Furusato Ginga Line, it was registered as a Roadside Station in 2004. After the Furusato Ginga Line was closed in 2006, the facility was renewed and reopened in 2011 to become what you see today. Inside the facility, the former platform has been preserved to recreate tracks and trains that were used for 95 years. Ashorocho is also the hometown of singer-songwriter Chiharu Matsuyama, and the facility’s Chiharu Matsuyama Gallery displays his beloved guitar and stage costumes. For those who want to enjoy Ashorocho’s vast natural scenery, we recommend Onneto. Onneto is a 2.5 km-circumference lake west of Akan-Mashu National Park, formed about 2,000 years ago by an eruption of MtMeakan. Because the lake’s colors change with the season, weather, and viewing location, it is also called the Goshikinuma Ponds or the Mystic Lake. ※It takes about 50 minutes by car from Ashoro town center. ※From December through April, the road to the lake is closed and vehicles cannot pass. For details, please see the Ashoro Tourism Association website. Finally, here is a popular event in Ashorocho. The Ashoro Furusato Bon Odori Ryogoku Fireworks Festival, held every August, is the town’s largest event, painting the night sky with some 8,000 fireworks (※in 2022 only the fireworks were launched). When touring Hokkaido, be sure to visit Ashorocho. This largest town in Japan, with untouched nature stretching as far as the eye can see, awaits you with the warmest hospitality.