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[Kotan Onsen in Teshikaga] Whooper Swans Gather around Almost Mixed Open-air Bath on Shore of Lake Kussharo in Winter

July 26th, 2014

CONTENTS

Kotan Onsen
- Lake Kussharo
- Wakoto Peninsula
List of Day Trip Onsen
List of Activities
- Canoe
- Horse Trekking
List of Accommodations

Kotan Onsen

Kotan Onsen (コタン温泉) is a small hot spring resort in Teshikaga town located in the north part of Kushiro city. Kotan means a village in Ainu language. Around here has been the village for Ainu people since a very long time ago, and it becomes the small hot spring resort at present, and there are some accommodations, Kotan Ainu Museum of History and Folklore (コタンアイヌ民俗資料館), Ainu Traditional Crafts Shop named "Kotan-no-Ie (コタンの店)", Restraunt Marukibune (レストラン丸木舟) with serving Ainu meals and a cafe named "Jiji cafe Canoe (ぢぢ喫茶カヌー)". In addition, a canoe can be enjoyed by River and Field (リバーアンドフィールド). Unfortunately, convenience stores are not built. There are Wakoto Peninsula (和琴半島), Wakoto Onsen (和琴温泉), Sanko Onsen (三香温泉) and Ike-no-Yu Onsen (池の湯) around the Kotan Onsen, and various natural open-air baths can be enjoyed throughout the year. Cherry blossoms can be enjoyed in a spring, Fresh green and the canoe can be enjoyed in a summer, fall foliage can be enjoyed in an autumn, and whooper swans can be watched in a winter.

Teshikaga, Lake Kussharo, Wakoto Onsen — Autumn Leaves around Lake Kussharo

Lake Kussharo

he Lake Kussharo is the largest caldera lake in Japan in Teshikaga town located in the northeastern part of Lake Akan (阿寒湖), and its shape tuend into the current shape by large-scale eruptions 40,000 years ago. Before then, the lake was larger round lake than the current lake. It is the 2nd largest caldera lake in the world after Lake Toba in Indonesia, too. In Akan Mashu National Park, The perimeter of the lake is about 57 km, and the maximum depth is 117 m, and Nakashima (中島), the largest island on the fresh water lake in the Japan, flotas on the surface of the lake, but landing is prohibited. There are Mt. Mokoto (藻琴山), the Wakoto Peninsula, Bihoro Pass Lookout (美幌峠展望台), Tubetsu Pass Observation Deck (津別峠展望台), Mokotoyama Lookout Parking Park (藻琴山展望駐車公園), Highland Koshimizu 725 (ハイランド小清水725), Wakoto Onsen (和琴温泉), Sanko Onsen (三香温泉), Kotan Onsen (コタン温泉), Ike-no-Yu Onsen (池ノ湯温泉), Suna-Yu (砂湯), Nibushi Onsen (仁伏温泉), Wakoto-kohan Campsite (和琴湖畔キャンプ場), Wakoto Campsite (和琴キャンプ場), Suna-Yu Campsite (砂湯キャンプ場) and Highland Koshimizu Campsite (ハイランド小清水キャンプ場) around the Lake Kussharo. Article is here

Wakoto Peninsula

Wakoto Peninsula (和琴半島) is the only peninsula extending out Lake Kussharo (屈斜路湖) in the southern side of the Lake Kussharo. In Akan Mashu National Park, Wakoto Field House (和琴フィールドハウス), Wakoto-Kohan Campsite (和琴半島湖畔キャンプ場), Wakoto Campsite (和琴キャンプ場), a nature trail (自然探勝路), Wakoto Onsen (和琴温泉), a souvenir shop, a restraunt, a boat for hire, Koshin-so (湖心荘), a public restroom and a parking lot are built on the site. Fresh green, a canoe and fishing can be enjoyed in a summer, Fall foliage can be enjoyed in an autumn and a snow scenery can be enjoyed in a winter, and it is said to be a sightseeing base of the Lake Kussharo. By the way, Min-min-zemi cicada (ミンミンゼミ) inhabits here, and they do not inhabit further north than the Lake Kussharo, so they have been designated as a special natural treasure since 1951. Admission free. A parking lot is free of charge. Article is here

List of Day Trip Onsen

Tourists can take a day trip bath at Kotan-no-Yu (コタンの湯), Kotan Public Bath (コタン共同浴場) and Marukibune (丸木舟).

Kotan-no-Yu

Kotan-no-Yu is a natural open-air bath on the shore of Lake Kussharo. The natural open-air bath can be used for 24 hours, and starry sky seems to be beautiful in the evening. Mr. Mitsuhiro Ogawa (小川充洋), a craftsman, made the open-air bath around 1983, and has managed it. The open-air bath is cleaned from 08:00 to 16:00 on Tuesday and Thursday, so it can not be used. An entrance fee to the bath facility is free of charge.

Kotan Onsen in Teshikaga Lake Kusharo — Entrance of Open-air Bath

There is 1 almost mixed bathing open-air bath surrounded by rocks. The bath uses free flowing very hot springs to the lake. The open-air bath is the size that about 4 people can take a bath, but the bath for men and women is partitioned by a large rock only a little. The water surface of the hot spring is same height as the water surface of the lake, it is the impression that myself totally enters the lake. But the feeling is different depending on the lake volume. A sence of openness can be enjoyed very much, too because notheing is obstructed. It is a hot spot for overseas tourists, too.

The bathers can take a bath in wearing swimsuits or with a bath towel covering body, but a lot of Japanese men take a bath withhout wearing anything. A lot of ordinary tourists without taking a bath come, too, so I guess the bathers are too shameful to take a bath without wearing somtheing. 2 gender segregated dressing rooms for men or women are provided, too.

Whooper swans gather around the open-air bath in a winter, bathers almost feel like taking a bath with them. But a lot of tourists come to watch them, I guess the bathers are too shameful to take a bath without wearing somtheing.

Kotan Onsen in Teshikaga Lake Kusharoe — Look of Open-air Bath

The hot springs are sodium carbonated spring, and are clear and light yellow and have tasteless and oil smell. The sum total of the hot spring ingredients are 1.056g/kg. The meta-silicic acid content is 289.3mg/kg. It is said that the hot springs including the meta-silicic acid with over 200 mg/kg is effective for beautiful skin. The hot springs seem to be drinkable, But I was not able to find a drinking hot spring facility. By the way, a use of shampoo and soap is prohibited because water of the lake is polluted. There is a public restroom near the open-air bath, but toilet papers are not provided.

Atmosphere of Kotan Onsen Can Be Watched on Youtube

Movie of Kotan Onsen

Types of Hot Springs	Sodium carbonated spring (Type: Neutral, Osmotic Pressure: Low, Spring Temperature Type: Extra hot spring)
Water temperature of Hot Spring Source	68.3 C
ph	7.0
Indications	Neuralgia, Muscular pain, Arthralgia, Frozen shoulder, Motor paralysis, Tightening of the joint, Bruise, Sprain, Chronic digestive diseases, Hemorrhoid, Cold sensitivity, Convalescent convalescence, Relieving fatigue, Healthy increase, Cut, Burn, Chronic skin diseases
Contraindications	Acute disease(when there is the heat in particular), Active tuberculosis, Malignant tumor, Severe heart disease, Respiratory failure, Renal insufficiency, Hemorrhagic disease, High anemia, Other diseases during condition of a patient progress generally
Indications of drinking	Chronic digestive diseases, Diabetes, Gout, Liver disease
Contraindications of drinking	Kidney disease, High blood pressure, and diseases accompanied by edema in general
Facilities	Mixed bathing open-air bath(1)
Entrance fee to the bath facility	Free of charge
Business hours	Open 24 hours
Regular closing day	Tuesday and Thursday
Parking lot	A free parking is provided (10 cars)
Telephone number	-
Home page	Home page is here
Mapcode	731 521 434*46

Marukibune

Marukibune is a small-sized onsen inn at the lakeshore. A restaurant and a theater are at a building, too, and Ainu-style meals and ainu folk music are served. An entrance fee to the bath facility is JPY 600. A public bathroom is chartered for 60 minutes. A staying is possible, too. The bathroom named "Shizuku-no-Neiro (雫の音色)" is on the 2nd floor. There is 1 indoor bath at the wooden bathroom. Lake Kussharo can be seen from the sunny bathroom. The bath uses free flowing hot springs. The hot springs are sodium carbonated spring, and are clear and light yellow and have tasteless and oil smell. Body soaps are provided at the bathroom. A restroom and free hair dryers are installed at the dressing room.

Atmosphere of Marukibune Can Be Watched on Youtube

Movie of Marukibune

Types of Hot Springs	Sodium carbonated spring (Type: Neutral, Osmotic Pressure: Low, Spring Temperature Type: Extra hot spring)
Water temperature of Hot Spring Source	68.3 C
ph	7.0
Indications	Neuralgia, Muscular pain, Arthralgia, Frozen shoulder, Motor paralysis, Tightening of the joint, Bruise, Sprain, Chronic digestive diseases, Hemorrhoid, Cold sensitivity, Convalescent convalescence, Relieving fatigue, Healthy increase, Cut, Burn, Chronic skin diseases
Contraindications	Acute disease(when there is the heat in particular), Active tuberculosis, Malignant tumor, Severe heart disease, Respiratory failure, Renal insufficiency, Hemorrhagic disease, High anemia, Other diseases during condition of a patient progress generally
Indications of drinking	Not drinking
Facilities	Indoor bath(1). * Sex-Segregated Bathhouse.
Entrance fee to the bath facility	Adult: JPY 600. Child: JPY 300.
Business hours	11:30-19:30
Regular closing day	Irregular closing day
Parking lot	A free parking is provided (10 cars)
Telephone number	+81-15-484-2644
Home page	Home page is here
Reservation	Rakuten is here
Mapcode	731 521 316*38

Kotan Public Bath

Kotan Public Bath is a public bath founded in 1996 beside Kotan-no-Yu. The appearance is like old regional community facility, and local people use it mainly. An entrance fee to a bath facility is JPY 200. There is 1 indoor bath at a public bathhouse. The bath uses free flowing hot springs with adding water. The hot springs are sodium carbonated spring, and are clear and light yellow and have tasteless and oil smell. Shampoos and body soaps for visitors are not provided at the bathroom, the visitors have to bring those.

Atmosphere of Kotan Public Bath Can Be Watched on Youtube

Movie of Kotan Public Bath

Types of Hot Springs	Sodium carbonated spring (Type: Neutral, Osmotic Pressure: Low, Spring Temperature Type: Extra hot spring)
Water temperature of Hot Spring Source	68.3 C
ph	7.0
Indications	Neuralgia, Muscular pain, Arthralgia, Frozen shoulder, Motor paralysis, Tightening of the joint, Bruise, Sprain, Chronic digestive diseases, Hemorrhoid, Cold sensitivity, Convalescent convalescence, Relieving fatigue, Healthy increase, Cut, Burn, Chronic skin diseases
Contraindications	Acute disease(when there is the heat in particular), Active tuberculosis, Malignant tumor, Severe heart disease, Respiratory failure, Renal insufficiency, Hemorrhagic disease, High anemia, Other diseases during condition of a patient progress generally
Indications of drinking	Not drinking
Facilities	Indoor bath(1). * Sex-Segregated Bathhouse.
Entrance fee to the bath facility	Adult: JPY 200. Child: JPY 100.
Business hours	12:00-22:00
Regular closing day	Wednesday
Parking lot	A free parking is provided (20 cars)
Telephone number	+81-15-484-2833
Reservation	Home page is here
Mapcode	731 521 434*46

List of Activities

Horse Trekking and a canoe tour around the Lake Shikotsu and Kushiro River are held by some acticiity companies. In addition, a fishing boat is rented to enjoy fishing at Wakoto Resthouse (和琴レストハウス). Refer to following websites for the activity companies around the Lake Kussharo. You can get information regarding online reviews and photos.

Canoe

Movie of Canoe

Tourism Teshikaga(ツーリズムてしかが)	HP	ASOVIEW	Jalan	Sotoasobi
North East Canoe Center(ノースイーストカヌーセンター)	HP	ASOVIEW	Jalan	Sotoasobi
Nanook(ナヌーク)	HP	ASOVIEW	Jalan	Sotoasobi
Lake Kussharo Eco Tours(屈斜路湖ecoツアーズ)	HP	ASOVIEW	Jalan	Sotoasobi
SOMOKUYA(そもくや)	HP	ASOVIEW	Jalan	Sotoasobi
J Factory(ジェイファクトリー)	HP	ASOVIEW	Jalan	Sotoasobi
Matatabi(マタタビ)	HP	ASOVIEW	Jalan	Sotoasobi
Atreyu(アトレーユ)	HP	ASOVIEW	Jalan	Sotoasobi
Hokkaido Guide Tours(北海道ガイドツアーズ)	HP	ASOVIEW	Jalan	Sotoasobi
River & Field(リバー＆フィールド)	HP	ASOVIEW	Jalan	Sotoasobi
Kimakurasha(きまくら舎)	HP	ASOVIEW	Jalan	Sotoasobi

Horse Trekking

Movie of Horse Trekking

Megere Farm(メジェールファーム)	HP	ASOVIEW	Jalan	Sotoasobi

List of Accommodations

Refer to following websites for the accommodations around Kotan Onsen. You can get information regarding online reviews and photos.

Marukibune(丸木舟)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Onsen Ryokan Koshin-so(温泉旅館湖心荘)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Lake Kussharo Tsuruga Auberge SoRa(屈斜路湖鶴雅オーベルジュ SoRa)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Kussharo-Genya Youth Guesthouse(屈斜路原野ユースゲストハウス)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Atreyu(アトレーユ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Kussharo Prince Hotel(屈斜路プリンスホテル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Polaris(ぽらりす)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Sanko Onsen(三香温泉)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Lakeside Resort Pension CHATRAN(レイクサイドリゾートペンションチャトラン)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Yado Hanafurari(宿・花ふらり)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Guest House Twinkle(オーベルジュてぃんくる)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten