 Last additions - Teshikaga 弟子屈町 |
Nearest train station is JR Kawayu Onsen Station. Take the Akan Bus to Kawayu Onsen to reach Lake Kussharo.Apr 04, 2022
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Wakoto Peninsula east side.Apr 04, 2022
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Lake Kussharo's water surface looks artistic.Apr 04, 2022
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Wakoto PeninsulaApr 04, 2022
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Apr 04, 2022
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Wakoto PeninsulaApr 04, 2022
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Wakoto Peninsula's west side.Apr 04, 2022
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Wakoto Peninsula has this free outdoor hot spring bath on the lake shore. Open to both men and women, most bathers wear a swimsuit.Apr 04, 2022
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Wakoto Peninsula is another tourist part of Lake Kussharo. It's a small peninsula (2.5 km shoreline) with natural hot springs. 和琴半島Apr 04, 2022
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Apr 04, 2022
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Apr 04, 2022
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Apr 04, 2022
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Apr 04, 2022
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Boats for rent at Sunayu, Lake Kussharo, Hokkaido. In winter, the lake freezes over.Apr 04, 2022
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The lake circumerence is 57 km. Deepest point is 125 meters. In the middle of the lake is Nakajima island, a volcano. Japan's largest island in a lake. The island is uninhabited by humans.Apr 04, 2022
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When I visited, there were Ainu on the Sunayu beach posing for tourists for a fee. Apr 04, 2022
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Boating on Lake Kussharo, Hokkaido.Apr 04, 2022
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Lake Kussharo, HokkaidoApr 04, 2022
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By the 2000s, the water acidity decreased enough to introduce fish which could endure the acidity. Only small stocks of rainbow trout, Kokanee, and Masu salmon are now in the lake. The lake has no fishing industry.Apr 04, 2022
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Lake Kussharo is noted for its mystical atmosphere. There's a lakeshore road along the southern half of the lake. Water surface covers 79.7 sq. km.You can dig into the sand and find hot spring water.Apr 04, 2022
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Boats can be rented at Sunayu. In May 1938, the Kussharo Earthquake had sulfates seep into the lake from the lake bottom, making the water too acidic (pH4) for fish which got wiped out. Apr 04, 2022
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Lake Kussharo as seen from Sunayu. Lake Kussharo's caldera volcano started forming over one million years ago. The caldera lake formed over 40,000 years ago. Part of the caldera lake was filled in by Mashu volcano eruptions, making Kussharo lose its round shape and become bean-shaped.Apr 04, 2022
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Lake Kussharo was also known for the "Kusshi" legend similar to the Loch Ness Monster, "Nessie." Credible sightings of Kussi were widely reported from 1973-1974, but stopped after the 2000s.This is an old statue displayed at JR Bihoro Station. Newer statue is at Sunayu near the lake shore.Apr 04, 2022
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Lake Kussharo has two tourist areas. One is here at Sunayu. 砂湯Apr 04, 2022
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Lake Kussharo is another scenic lake in Akan-Mashu National Park in eastern Hokkaido. Japan's largest caldera lake. Unlike Lake Mashu, Kussharo is accessible to tourists like here at Sunayu.Apr 04, 2022
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Back to the visitor's center.Apr 01, 2022
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Apr 01, 2022
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Note that there are other mountains named Mt. Io (Io-zan). This one is near Kawayu Onsen hot spring in Hokkaido.Apr 01, 2022
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Sulphur mining ended altogether in Hokkaido in 1963.Apr 01, 2022
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In 1887, a railway was built from Mt. Io to Shibecha, 41 km away. It was Hokkaido's second railway to be built after the railway between Sapporo and Otaru.Apr 01, 2022
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After the mining operation closed in 1896, the Hokkaido government bought the railway. Today, this railway is connected to JR Senmo Line which opened in 1931.Apr 01, 2022
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Since there was no machinery in those days, mining operations were done manually with a pick and shovel. Prison labor was used for the mining. The sulphur was then loaded on horseback and boats to Kushiro.Apr 01, 2022
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Mt. Io, Hokkaido. You can get quite close to the sulphur vents.Apr 01, 2022
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The mining operations here and in other nearby mountain quickly developed local industry in eastern Hokkaido which had been largely undeveloped.Apr 01, 2022
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Mt. Io is Kawayu Onsen's hot spring source. It was also a sulphur mine from 1877 to 1896. At the time, sulphur was widely used in cigarette matches and gunpowder. Apr 01, 2022
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Literally nicknamed "Sulfur Mountain," Mt. Io is a convenient, steaming tourist attraction between Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu. The mountain's Ainu name is "Atosa-nupuri," meaning "naked mountain" since it hardly has anApr 01, 2022
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Mt. Io, meaning "Sulphur Mountain," is a lava dome spewing steam and sulphur gases. Tourists can walk and easily see the sulphur and steam vents. Apr 01, 2022
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Apr 01, 2022
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Trail to a scenic lookout point on Lake Mashu.Apr 01, 2022
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Apr 01, 2022
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Beautiful shades of blue.Apr 01, 2022
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Apr 01, 2022
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Apr 01, 2022
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Lake Mashu and Kamuishu island.Apr 01, 2022
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View from Scenic Lookout 3.Apr 01, 2022
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Apr 01, 2022
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Sunlight peeking through the clouds is reflected on the lake surface.Apr 01, 2022
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Apr 01, 2022
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Apr 01, 2022
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Lake Mashu in eastern Hokkaido is my favorite lake in Japan.Apr 01, 2022
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Apr 01, 2022
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Apr 01, 2022
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Apr 01, 2022
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View of Lake Mashu from Scenic Point 1.Apr 01, 2022
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Too bad it was a cloudy day. Lake Mashu has no outflowing river.Apr 01, 2022
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The small island in the lake is named "Kamuishu." It's the tip of a lava dome. View of Lake Mashu from Scenic Point 1. カムイシュ島Apr 01, 2022
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Newer Lake Mashu sign at a lookout point. Apr 01, 2022
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Lake Mashu has two scenic points along the crater rim where tourists can see the lake. Old sign at a lookout point. Apr 01, 2022
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One of the most unpolluted lakes in Japan or the world. The water transparency is one of the deepest in the world at 20 to 30 meters. Part of the Akan-Mashu National Park.Apr 01, 2022
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One of the most famous lakes in Japan, Lake Mashu is a crater lake devoid of boats, resorts, and other tourist traps. In fact, people are prohibited from going to the lake. We can view it, but no touching. Apr 01, 2022
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