Lake Kuttara
倶多楽湖
Water scenery — lakes, gorges and falls that reset the pace of a trip.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons — click any image for the photographer and licence.
What this place is
Lake Kuttara (倶多楽湖, Kuttara-ko) is a nearly circular caldera lake in Shiraoi, Hokkaidō, Japan. It is part of Shikotsu-Tōya National Park. The lake is recognized as having the best water quality in all of Japan. With a transparency of 19 metres (62 ft), the lake ranks second to Lake Mashū according to the Ministry of the Environment. Resident species of the lake include a salamander species, Ezo salamander (エゾサンショウウオ, Ezo Sanshōuo). Since 1909, sockeye salmon have been introduced to the lake.
Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Why it is worth the trip
- Clear water that changes colour with the light, from deep blue in summer to jade after rain.
- Walkways, bridges and viewpoints built right along the water so the scenery unfolds as you move.
- Reflections of surrounding peaks and forest on calm mornings — the classic postcard shot.
What you can do here
- Walk the riverside or lakeshore promenade; most routes are flat and clearly signposted.
- Take a sightseeing boat or rent a rowboat, canoe or SUP where the water is calm.
- Photograph at golden hour, when low light makes the surface glow and crowds have thinned.
- Stop at a lookout café or rest house for local sweets with a water view.
Getting there
We do not have step-by-step transit directions for this spot yet. Open the location on Google Maps for routes from where you are staying.
Good to know before you go
- Paths near falls stay wet and slippery — wear shoes with grip, not sandals.
- Water volume peaks after rain and during snowmelt; the falls are far more dramatic then.
- Boat services shrink or stop in winter, so check the seasonal timetable before travelling.
Traveler reviews
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