この記事は英語苦手野郎が旅のネタなら勉強しながら書けるだろうとどうにか書いている記事です。この記事の日本語版はこちらで公開中↓✍
Eastern Hokkaido is packed with untouched nature and stunning views—perfect for a refreshing summer getaway! ✨
From the mystical Lake Mashu to the ethereal Kaminoko Pond, cozy Kawayu Onsen, and the hidden beauty of Lake Onneto—this area is full of lesser-known gems just waiting to be explored.
In this post, I’ll share the exact spots I visited—with a sample route you can follow to make the most of your trip! ✨
Kaminoko Pond (literally “Child of the Gods Pond”)
This pond is fed by spring water from Lake Mashu.Even on a gloomy day, it still looks this stunning (no joke, lol).Definitely one of those places I’d love to revisit on a sunny day someday.There’s a restroom and a parking lot, so no worries there.
Sakura Falls
さくらの滝
Only in summer, but Sakura Falls is one of the few places where you can watch cherry salmon (sakuramasu) leaping upstream right in front of you! 💡Every few minutes, you’ll see salmon jumping up the waterfall—one after another. You’ll honestly want to cheer them on like, “Go, go!!”
Heads-up: the road to the falls isn’t paved, so if it rains, expect things to get messy (lol).
There’s a bear warning sign too, so bringing a bear bell might be a smart move.I mean… with this many flying snacks—uh, I mean salmon—it’s no wonder bears might show up. 😅
Watanabe Experience Farm
There’s a “Watch Out for Cows” sign 🐄
At Watanabe Experience Farm, you can try hands-on activities like milking a cow, making butter, and even making your own ice cream!And after all that fun—you get to sample fresh milk! So creamy and delicious 💡
Mt. Iou (Atosanupuri)
Mt. Iou is a volcanic mountain where gas bubbles up right from the rocky slopes—like it’s constantly breathing.The smell of sulfur fills the air—yup, that classic “hot spring” scent!This is actually the source of the water for Kawayu Onsen nearby. Pretty cool, right?Fun fact: it’s said to be the closest you can legally get to a volcanic fumarole in all of Japan!I mean… if it’s the most “something” in Japan, you have to check it out, right? 😄
If you’re lucky, a local fox might pop out to say hi! 🦊
Lake Mashu
Lake Mashu—officially the clearest lake in Japan. I was on a mission to see that deep blue sky reflecting on the deep blue water.
Apparently, it’s the second clearest lake in the world after Lake Baikal. Okay, now I really need to see this.
Alright!!!
Here we go—take a look!
Aaaand… it’s all fog. Just fog. So. Much. Fog. 😂
Misty Lake Mashu
Apparently, the terrain around Lake Mashu makes it super prone to fog.
And yup—this was taken at 9am. Not even that early! (lol)
Couldn’t see a thing. Like, at all.
It was kinda cool… but also low-key terrifying how thick that fog was 😅
After carefully making my way through all that mist… here’s the view I finally got ↓
Someone next to me said, “You know, they say if you can clearly see Lake Mashu—or the island in the middle—you’ll get married late.”
But honestly, with that crazy thick fog, the fact that I saw anything at all feels like a win (lol).
Lake Onneto
Lake Onneto changes color depending on the season, weather, and even the time of day—so much so, it’s nicknamed “Goshikinuma” (Five-Color Pond).
So here’s what it looked like when I went on a totally overcast day… ↓
Lake Onneto
Honestly… I couldn’t even tell what color it was. Gray? Maybe? 😂Definitely wanna come back on a sunny day and see what all the color hype is about.
Here’s Your Summer Scenic Route Around the Lake Mashu Area!！
- Kaminoko Pond
- Sakura Falls
- Watanabe Farm
- Mt. Iou / Atosanupuri
- Kawayu Onsen
- Lake Mashu
- Lake Onneto
Things to Know Before Road-Tripping in Eastern Hokkaido
Toilets are rare. Like, seriously rare.
No joke—especially on the drive from Furano to eastern Hokkaido, there are stretches with zero bathrooms. I mean it.
Narrow Roads Are Super Common
pots like Sakura Falls and Kaminoko Pond have sections of unpaved roads,and near Lake Onneto, the roads get really narrow—like, barely room for two cars to pass.If you’re not super confident behind the wheel, it’s probably best to let someone else drive this part!
Honestly, it’s tough to get around without a rental car
In urban areas of Hokkaido, trains and buses work fine.But in eastern Hokkaido? You’ll want a rental car—trust me.Public transport is super limited, and many scenic spots aren’t easy to reach without your own wheels.
Tip: Book your rental car in advance—especially during summer. They do run out!
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