Lake Kussharo

Lake Kussharo is the largest of the three caldera lakes that make up Hokkaido's Akan National Park. This is an excellent location to go fishing, hiking, kayaking, cycling or to soak in one of the volcanic hot spring baths on the lakeshore.

“Lake Kussharo is a wonderful place to just kick back and relax, fire up the barbie and and soak your troubles away in the hot springs. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, away from most Japanese tourists, this is a hidden gem that rewards every visitor who makes the effort to visit it.”

Ben Guest, Expert Travel Consultant

Lake Kussharo is thought to have been formed over 100,000 years ago as a result of a large volcanic eruption. The sulphurous gases that are emitted year-round from the side of the lake are visible remnants of its geological past.

It is a sight of breathtaking beauty in all seasons: in winter it is home to thousands of overwintering geese that fly south from Arctic Russia, and in the summer it is an ideal base for water sports such as canoeing and fishing. The banks of this vast lake are overgrown with pristine Sakhalin spruce, which provide great hiking opportunities, and after a nice summer barbecue why not visit the natural hot spring baths, or even dig your own. You can get an exceptionally stunning panoramic view of the lake from the Bihoro pass.

It is also an ideal base for discovering the other two lakes of Akan National Park. Lake Mashu is the smallest of the three, and was once considered to be the clearest lake in the world. On a sunny day it still has bright blue water, but equally frequently it can be completely covered over by a thick fog which is a stunning sight in its own right. Lake Akan is the most visited of the three, as it houses the largest Ainu village left in Japan, as well as being one of the only sites in the world where marimo grow - round algae balls whose biology is still somewhat of a mystery.

Accommodation
Weather & Climate

Recommended Accommodation in Lake Kussharo

The following are our favourites from among the western-style hotels and Japanese-style inns of Lake Kussharo.

Lake Kussharo

Kussharo Prince Hotel

Superior
Lake Kussharo

Kitafukuro

Moderate
Lake Kussharo

Kawayu Kanko Hotel

Moderate

Weather in Lake Kussharo

The Climate Guide for Lake Kussharo, Japan is perfect for planning your holiday. Monthly weather averages give the best indication of what the weather is usually like for every month of the year including figures for temperature, rainfall and sunshine.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Max Daytime Temperature (°C)	-4	-4	0	6	12	15	19	21	18	13	6	0
Min Night-time Temperature (°C)	-12	-13	-8	-2	3	7	12	14	11	4	-2	-8
Hours of Sunshine (Daily)	4	6	6	6	6	5	4	4	5	5	4	4
Hours of Daylight (Daily)	9	10	12	13	15	15	15	14	12	11	10	9
Heat and Humidity Discomfort	None	None	None	None	None	None	None	None	None	None	None	None
Days with some Rainfall	24	22	22	18	19	20	20	20	17	18	20	22
Monthly Rainfall (mm)	48	32	50	68	89	82	104	122	132	95	77	50
UV Index (Maximum)	1	2	3	5	6	7	8	8	6	3	1	1

Featured trips including Lake Kussharo

Small Group Tour

Winter Highlights (IJT Classic)
- Tokyo
- Tsurui
- Lake Kussharo
- Abashiri
- Sapporo
- Hakodate
- Kyoto
- Kanazawa
- Tokyo
Japan in the winter is a magical destination, blanketed in snow and free from the crowds that throng the cultural hotspots in summer.

14 nights: US$8385 Read more >

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Self-Guided Adventure

Wild Hokkaido (Classic)
- Tokyo
- Utoro
- Lake Kussharo
- Mount Asahi
- Biei
- Sapporo
- Hakodate
- Tokyo
This summery itinerary highlights some of the best natural scenery, hikes, and wildlife in Hokkaido, combined with a city stay in Sapporo.

14 nights: from US$6131 pp (twin share) Read more >

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