Lake Kussharo

What it is

• The largest caldera lake in Japan, located in eastern Hokkaido.
• A major feature of Akan-Mashu National Park formed within the Kussharo Caldera.
• The largest freshwater lake in Japan that freezes completely during winter.
• A body of acidic water with a pH level around five.

What to see

• Nakajima, which is the largest lake island in Japan.
• Sunayu beach where hot water emerges when digging into the sand.
• The Kushiro River flowing out from the southern end of the lake.
• Wakoto Peninsula, the northernmost habitat of the Oncotympana maculaticollis cicada.
• Migrating whooper swans that gather at the lake during the winter months.

When to go

• Winter to see the lake surface freeze and observe migrating whooper swans.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.