[Photo from welcome.city.sapporo.jp]

[Photo from welcome.city.sapporo.jp]

Experience the wild bird sanctuary and serene blue of Lake Shikotsu.

Lake Shikotsu, the closest national park to Sapporo, is located an hour outside of the city. After Akita Prefecture’s Lake Tazawa, it is the deepest and clearest lake in Japan. It is also Japan’s farthest north open water lake.

Surrounded by beautiful mountains such as Mount Eniwadake, Mount Fuppushidake, and Mount Tarumaezan, the area offers various sites such as the Yacho-no-Mori bird sanctuary in addition to campgrounds. There are also many places to eat and drink in the hot spring area known as Bijin-yu. Many restaurants offer dishes made with local ingredients such as red salmon. There are also seasonal festivals such as “Lake Shikotsu Koyo (autumn leaves) Festival” and “Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival.”