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

Lake Kussharo

he Lake Kussharo is the largest caldera lake in Japan in Teshikaga town located in the northeastern direction 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. Read More

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. Read More

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.

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.

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

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

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 300. 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