Lake Takkobu

What it is

• A freshwater lagoon formed by the receding sea in eastern Hokkaido.
• Part of the protected Kushiro Shitsugen National Park ecosystem.
• A designated site for ongoing wetland restoration projects.
• A former ranch site established in 1946 now used as an auto campground.

What to see

• Endangered Marimo algae inhabiting the lake waters.
• The Takkobu River flowing into the lake from the southeast.
• Invasive signal crayfish which have been confirmed in the area.
• Views of the Kushiro River where the lake drains to the northwest.

When to go

• Winter for pond smelt fishing on the frozen lake surface.
• Warm months for canoeing and staying at the auto campground.

Getting there

• Accessible from Hosooka Station on the JR Senmo Line.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.