Lake Shikaribetsu, Natural lake in Tokachi Subprefecture, Japan

Lake Shikaribetsu sits at 810 meters elevation in the Daisetsuzan mountains, surrounded by peaks including Mount Hakuunzan and Mount Tenbouzan. The water is exceptionally clear, and the lake stretches through a narrow valley with dense forests covering the surrounding slopes.

Lake Shikaribetsu formed when the lava domes of the Shikaribetsu volcanic group, including Nishi-nupukaushi-nupuri and Higashi-nupukaushi-nupuri, grew and dammed the Yanbetsu River. The resulting barrier lake lies at 810 m, the highest among Hokkaido's lakes, with a 13.8 km shoreline and a maximum depth of 108 m.

The name Shikaribetsu derives from the Ainu phrase for 'river that turns itself,' referring to the Yanbetsu River's course. On the lake's small island, Benten-jima, stands a small torii gate. In winter, the Shikaribetsu Lake Kotan festival builds igloo-like structures on the ice, including an open-air hot spring bath.

You can reach the lake by bus from JR Obihiro Station in about 100 minutes, or drive around 60 minutes from Tokachi Shimizu Interchange. The best time to visit is from June through September when mountain roads are open and hiking trails are accessible.

In winter, locals build Shikaribetsu Lake Kotan on the frozen surface, a temporary village with structures made entirely of ice. This ice sculpture settlement appears only for a few months and offers visitors the rare experience of sleeping on a frozen lake.