Eastern Hokkaido is full of the charm of the northern land. We offer a trip where you can experience a sense of oneness with nature.

42,000 flowers spread out before your eyes. The contrast with the Okhotsk blue sky is overwhelming!

Flower Garden "Hana Tento"

A 25-minute drive from Memanbetsu Airport will take you into the Tentozan area. This area is also home to many tourist attractions, and Hana Tento Flower Garden is a spectacular spot with approximately 42,000 flowers planted over a vast area of 3.5 hectares. When in full bloom, the area is filled with marigolds, salvia, cockscomb, begonias, white daisies, and other flowers, creating a beautiful, colorful landscape.

On sunny days, the contrast between the blue sky and the colors of the flowers is a spectacular sight. These beautiful flowers are grown through volunteer efforts by local businesses, organizations, and NPOs.

After passing through the virgin forest, you will arrive at the sparkling cobalt blue waterside.

God's Child Pond

From the flower garden "Hana Tento", head south on National Route 391, then take Prefectural Route 1115 and follow the unpaved forest road for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. In the middle of nature, there is a small pond with a circumference of 220m and a depth of 5m. Its name is Kaminoko Pond. The pond is surrounded by lush primeval forest, so walking around it feels like a short hike. In winter, there are walking tours with nature guides around the snow-covered Kaminoko Pond, which are very popular and provide a fantastical view.

The water temperature of Kaminoko Pond is kept low at around 8°C all year round, so the wood sinks into the water without rotting. The sight of Dolly Varden trout, a fish with vermilion spots, swimming in the blue pond is very mystical. There are various theories, but the name Kaminoko Pond is said to come from the fact that it was formed from underground water of Lake Mashu (Teshikaga Town, Kawakami District, Hokkaido), which means "Lake of the Mountain God" in Ainu. In Ainu, it was called "Lake of the Gods (Kamuito)".

An open-air bath on Japan's largest caldera lake. A moment of unity with nature

"Kotan no Yu" on the shores of Lake Kussharo

About 50km from Kaminoko Pond, at the southern end of Lake Kussharo, is the free open-air bath "Kotan no Yu." The dynamic open-air bath, with its large rocks, was built by local volunteers. The open-air bath is just 5m from Lake Kussharo, and the vast water spreads out before you, creating a rustic hot spring. On clear days, you can clearly see Nakajima, floating in the center of the lake, and in the distance you can see Bihoro Pass. In winter, swans can also be seen on the lake.

Kotan no Yu has separate entrances and changing rooms for men and women, but there is only one bath, and the baths are only separated by a large rock. Furthermore, some areas are mixed bathing, so you can bathe wearing a swimsuit. The spring water is a sodium bicarbonate spring, and the water is soft. By the way, "Kotan" comes from the place name Kotan, which means "village" in Ainu language.

A luxurious spa in Lake Akan Onsen. Enjoy the beautiful view of Lake Akan, which changes its appearance from moment to moment.

Sky Garden Spa

About an hour's drive west from Lake Kussharo, where Kotan no Yu is located, on National Route 241, in the Lake Akan Onsen area, you'll find the New Akan Hotel's "Tenku Garden Spa." Why not relax at this exquisite resort, where you can feel as if you are one with the lake and the sky?

The highlight of this place is the view of the vast Lake Akan and Mount Oakan that spreads out before the spa, which looks different throughout the day. You can enjoy the lake's blue surface during the day and the sunset-colored surface in the evening. The beautiful location of Akan, whose appearance changes from moment to moment, is sure to refresh your mind and body. In the evening, a projection theater is also shown on the walls of the spa, creating a fantastical sight.

The spectacular view of the Kussharo sea of clouds stretches out endlessly. With a bit of luck on your side, you can enjoy an impressive moment.

Tsubetsu Pass

Tsubestu Pass, where you can see the Kussharo Sea of Clouds, is a spectacular spot perfect for concluding your trip. Drive north on National Route 240 from Lake Akan towards Bihoro and you'll arrive at Tsubestu Pass Observatory in about an hour and a half. From here, you can see the sea of clouds spreading over Lake Kussharo in the early morning on days when the weather conditions are just right. The endless sea of clouds that seem to cover the lake is a spectacular sight. It's a spot worth getting up early to see, even if you have to rub your sleepy eyes.

Whether you can see the sea of clouds at the pass depends on the weather conditions. If the weather in Teshikaga Town, Hokkaido, where Lake Kussharo is located, is cloudy from late at night to early morning and sunny skies are forecast for the morning, the chances of seeing it are high. It is said that the most beautiful time is from one hour before sunrise until the sun appears, when the sea of clouds turns red. It is recommended that you check the road conditions, such as road closures, before heading out.

Hokkaido trips and tours with JAL

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Run and eat in the Tokachi region. 2018 Food Valley Tokachi Marathon

Tokachi, Hokkaido, is one of Japan's great food treasures. The "Food Valley Tokachi Marathon" is held every year in Obihiro, located in the center of the prefecture. This time, we will introduce the appeal of the event as well as the gourmet food unique to Tokachi, such as pork bowls and cheese sweets.

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*Some content was updated on August 20, 2019.