Lake Shikotsu: A Stunning Stop

On our drive from Jozankei to Chitose, we decided to stop by Lake Shikotsu for a meal. It turned out to be a much more memorable visit than we expected. The lake's expansive view, with its crystal-clear blue water, surrounded by mountains in the background, and a striking red bridge made from an old railway, has become a popular check-in spot. Truly stunning! There are plenty of activities to enjoy here, including water activities like glass-bottom boat rides and kayaking, as well as land activities such as cycling, hiking, birdwatching, and even relaxing in an onsen. Or you can simply unwind, enjoy some snacks or ice cream, have a picnic, and take photos. There are plenty of spots and tables for visitors to sit and relax. The visitor center provides information about the lake's formation, local flora and fauna, souvenirs, and of course, gachapon machines. The visitor center is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (December to March, it closes at 4:30 PM). There aren’t many restaurants around, and queues can be long, but the wait isn’t too bad. We opted for a meal of grilled fish from the lake, priced at 2,000 yen per set, which included three fish. It was quite tasty and very filling. As for the soft serve, there are two flavors: chocolate and melon, served in a brown cone that is claimed to be the crispiest cone ever (and it truly is). Highly recommend the melon flavor. Getting there (by car): Simply set your GPS to Lake Shikotsu. It’s about 36 km from Chitose City, taking roughly 40 minutes to drive. There’s ample parking available, with a fee of 500 yen paid at the entrance. For public transportation, there’s a bus from Shin-Chitose Airport, but you’ll need to transfer, and the service is limited. Unfortunately, we didn’t have much time to explore as we had to return the car. Definitely planning to revisit!