Are you familiar with Lake Kanayama in Minami-Furano Town, located about 40km from Furano?

In the summer, you can leisurely explore the beautiful lake, teeming with water, by canoe, or enjoy camping on the white sandy shores with stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains. In winter, you can enjoy ice fishing for smelt or sledding.

We'll also introduce the seasonal charms of Lake Kanayama, where you can enjoy a variety of experiences, whether you're visiting with family, friends, a couple, or even alone. You can admire the magnificent scenery, enjoy various activities, or relax in a log cabin-style hotel reminiscent of an overseas resort!

<Contents>
1. What are the attractions of Lake Kanayama?
2. Let's have fun at Lake Kanayama!
3. Stay at Kanayama Lake Log Hotel Larch
4. Attractions around Lake Kanayama
5. Access to Lake Kanayama

1. What are the attractions of Lake Kanayama?

Sunlight sparkles on the crystal-clear water, stretching gently from the white sandy shore. Beyond that, deep greenery and a log hotel reminiscent of an overseas resort spread out. This area, centered around the endlessly beautiful and tranquil Lake Kanayama, is filled with picturesque scenes that evoke a relaxing adult resort, making it the perfect place for a vacation.

During lavender season, the beautiful contrast of purple, blue, and green between the lavender fields and the lake and mountains stretching out beyond is captivating. Of course, the lavender fields of Furano are beautiful, but Lake Kanayama, with the lake in the background, truly looks like something out of a painting.

In the summer, you can also enjoy camping by the lake. Waking up to the sound of birdsong from near and far in the morning, stepping outside to the crisp morning air overlooking the lake and the starry night sky will create a memory you'll cherish forever. The Kanayama Lake campsite has excellent facilities, including toilets, cooking facilities, and a management office, and it's also great that there are facilities nearby where you can enjoy a day trip to a hot spring.

Additionally, there are activities such as tennis and go-karting nearby, so even if you're traveling in a group or with family, you can stay for an extended period and create plenty of memories without getting bored.

Image provided by: Guideline Outdoor Club

There are plenty of other activities available throughout the year on and around the lake, such as ice fishing for smelt in winter (we'll introduce them in detail in the following section).
Furthermore, Lake Kanayama is easily accessible, located slightly south of the center of Hokkaido. It's about a 2-hour drive from New Chitose Airport, about 2.5 hours from Sapporo, and about 2 hours from Asahikawa, making it easy to combine with other sightseeing destinations. So please do come and visit!

2. Let's have fun at Lake Kanayama!

2-1. Activities at Lake Kanayama

For those surprised that such a beautiful landscape still exists in Japan, take part in various activities and engrave the scenery and memories in your heart. There are many places in Minami Furano that organize fun tours, so using them will make your stay even more enjoyable. Below, we introduce some tour shops and recommended tours, so please use them as a reference when planning your trip.
*Please refer to the information at the end of this document, which lists the tour organizers.

Spring to Autumn Activities

NPO Donkoro Outdoor SchoolMr.'s "1-Day Forest Tour"
Image provided by: NPO Donkoro Outdoor School
This 1!DAY Forest Tour is a wonderful plan that allows you to fully enjoy the charm of Lake Kanayama, with its beautiful forests and lake, together with a guide for a full day. In the morning, you'll cycle through the lush forests surrounding Lake Kanayama with your guide, and then enjoy a refreshing downhill ride while overlooking the spectacular view of Lake Kanayama.

Furthermore, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch featuring plenty of local ingredients at the restaurant of Log Hotel Larch, which overlooks Lake Kanayama (more details will be provided later).

Image provided by: NPO Donkoro Outdoor School

Then, in the afternoon, you can leisurely explore Lake Kanayama, which is full of clear blue water, by canoe. And with tea time, this is a highly recommended plan that allows you to spend a fulfilling day at the lake resort.

Flying Dolphins Adventure ServiceMr.'s "Wild Lake Tour"
Image provided by: Flying Dolphins Adventure Service
Wow, this looks fun! You can almost hear people saying that as they describe this thrilling activity: Fly Manta, a wild lake tour that lets you experience exhilarating water sports on Lake Kanayama during the daytime. Pulled by a jet ski, you'll feel your stress melt away the moment you float up into the air! This exhilarating aerial stroll, overlooking the surrounding greenery and sparkling lake water from above, is sure to become an addictive experience once you try it.

Furthermore, a thrilling and exhilarating lake cruise on a rocket boat (top right image), which you can enjoy with friends, is sure to create wonderful memories!

Floating LeafMr. Kanayama's "Kanayama Lake Canoe Camp (Limited to one group per day)"
Image provided by: Floating Leaf
If you're dreaming of camping amidst the magnificent nature of Hokkaido, but find the preparations for a flight from Honshu too much of a hassle, then Floating Reef's camping plan, limited to one group per day, is perfect for you! You can go empty-handed!

This package includes camping equipment at a lakeside campsite, a canoe experience on Lake Kanayama at sunset or in the morning, a barbecue dinner, and breakfast, all prepared by the guide – it's truly a luxurious package.

Additionally, there's a standalone Sunset Lake Canoe Picnic plan (bottom right of the image), so why not treat yourself to a romantic evening date on the lake?

Recommended for the green season! Activities on the Sorachi River near Lake Kanayama!
Image provided by: Guideline Outdoor Club

The Sorachi River, which flows around Lake Kanayama, also offers a wide variety of activities. You can enjoy rafting, canoeing, fishing, and even wild canyoning and ducky fishing.

Guidelines Outdoor ClubMr.'s "Rafting" and "Fishing" Tours
Image provided by: Guideline Outdoor Club
Guideline Outdoor Club's rafting offers half-day courses in the morning and afternoon, as well as a full-day course (top image) that includes a delicious special lunch, making it very popular with those who want to fully enjoy rafting.

They also offer a wide variety of other options, including private boat rentals for groups, kids' eco-rafting tours where you can enjoy underwater observation with a viewing box and even fishing (middle image), and fishing tours (bottom image). It's highly recommended as it caters to a wide range of people, whether families, couples, or friends.

Flying Dolphins Adventure ServiceMr. [Name]'s "Canyoning" and "Ducky" Tours
Image provided by: Flying Dolphins Adventure Service
Canyoning, where you can wear a drysuit, life jacket, and boots and jump into a waterfall pool, observe fish with a snorkel, and enjoy river activities to your heart's content on natural water slides created by the natural terrain, is an exhilarating tour perfect for summer! Rafting in a ducky (pictured below), which is like a smaller version of a rafting boat, is also incredibly thrilling. Both activities are sure to wash away all your daily worries.

Winter activities

Image provided by: NPO Donkoro Outdoor School

It's not just the green season that's enjoyable. Even in the winter season, you can fully enjoy your stay at Lake Kanayama with activities like ice fishing and dog sledding.

Guideline Outdoor Club's "Smelt Fishing"
Image provided by: Guideline Outdoor Club
Ice fishing for smelt on a winter lake is a quintessential winter activity in Hokkaido! But if you're hesitant to participate because you don't have fishing gear, it looks cold, or you're unsure what to do with the fish you catch, don't worry. There are experience plans available that include everything from renting all the necessary equipment to supporting you in fishing from inside a tent. What's more, they'll even drill a hole in the ice for you and deep-fry your catch as tempura right there on the spot.

Another plus is that you can rent warm clothing and boots for an additional fee. Furthermore, there are night smelt fishing tours held in tents equipped with heating, and on clear days, you can even enjoy a romantic tour that allows you to observe a sky full of stars.

NPO Donkoro Outdoor SchoolMr.'s "Dog Sledding Experience"
Image provided by: NPO Donkoro Outdoor School
The dog sledding experience offered by the NPO Doronko Outdoor School is a chance to try something you might have seen on TV. After interacting with the dogs and receiving thorough instruction, you'll travel with them along a 16km round-trip course through the forest, which takes about an hour each way. This fun and luxurious plan includes lunch in an igloo along the way and a snowshoeing stroll through the forest.

In addition to the tours mentioned above, they also plan many other tours, so please take a look.

NPO Donkoro Outdoor School(Featured in the 1-Day Forest Tour and Dog Sledding Experience)
Location: Ochiai, Minamifurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido
TEL：0167-53-2171

Guidelines Outdoor Club(Featured in rafting, fishing, and winter smelt fishing)
Location: 13-6 Ogimachi, Furano City, Hokkaido
TEL：0167-22-3989

Floating Leaf(Kanayama Lake Canoe Camp (limited to one group per day) and Sunset Canoe featured)
Location: 1754 Shimokanayama, Minamifurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido
TEL：0167-53-2181

Flying Dolphins Adventure Service(Featured in Wild Lake Tours, Canyoning, and Ducky)
Location: Shimizuyama, Furano City, Hokkaido
TEL：0167-23-1421

2-2. So wonderful! My early morning canoeing experience!

I myself have visited Lake Kanayama in the past, stayed at the Kanayama Lake Log Hotel Larch (introduced in the next section), and actually experienced early morning canoeing.

Incidentally, when I made the reservation, I signed up for the early morning canoeing as a kind of bonus to the accommodation, but the actual early morning canoeing experience turned out to be a dreamlike moment that I want to cherish forever. (Image provided by Kanayama Lake Log Hotel Larch)

The tour starts early in the morning, so I had to get up early, but when traveling, it's always best to wake up early. The hotel terrace on a summer morning was incredibly pleasant, and it was even more convenient that they picked me up by car from the hotel.

As we drove along, enjoying the tranquil and peaceful scenery of the lakeside in the early morning, we soon arrived at the lakeshore, our anticipation building for the canoes that were already prepared. I think it was around 6 a.m. at this point. After receiving instructions on how to use the canoes from the instructor and putting on our life jackets, we were ready to go!

The instructor paddled in his own canoe, while my friend and I shared one. Thanks to the instructor's thorough instructions and the calm waters, the canoe glided smoothly across the lake in the refreshing morning air.

As we gradually made our way to the center of the lake, the beauty and tranquility of the surrounding forest and mountains that we could see around from the middle was a breathtaking sight that words cannot fully describe.

What's more, they offer a delightful morning coffee service. The taste of morning coffee while relaxing on a canoe floating leisurely in the middle of the vast lake was simply wonderful. Everything was so peaceful and beautiful that I was truly glad I signed up for the early morning canoe tour.

The tour lasted only about an hour, but the satisfaction I felt was immeasurable. Even after being dropped off at the hotel, my friend and I continued to excitedly reminisce about our wonderful early morning canoeing experience over breakfast. I highly recommend that everyone try early morning canoeing. It's quiet, refreshing, beautiful, and truly enjoyable and relaxing.

Early morning canoeing and canoeing on Lake Kanayama can be booked as part of a Log Hotel Larch accommodation package, or as a canoeing-only experience package.

3. Stay at Kanayama Lake Log Hotel Larch

Now, regarding the Kanayama Lake Log Hotel Larch that I'm introducing today, it was a truly wonderful hotel, offering such great value for money that it's rare to find one like it.

After enjoying the summer flowers in Furano, my friend and I took the train to JR Ikutora Station and were given a ride. Most people probably go by car, but even in Hokkaido, which is said to have inconvenient access, you can have a very satisfying trip if you carefully check the train schedule.

Since we had thoroughly discussed the pick-up and drop-off arrangements via email beforehand, the pick-up went smoothly, and during the car ride, they told us all sorts of things about Lake Kanayama and the surrounding sights. We arrived at the hotel in no time.

And I was impressed by the hotel's exterior, which was even more charming than I had seen in photos! As the name "log hotel" suggests, the building is made of larch wood from Hokkaido, and it harmonizes well with the surrounding greenery and nature, reminiscent of a lake resort overseas.

There are cottages scattered around the hotel that are perfect for groups and families. Some cottages can accommodate up to nine people, making them ideal for a fun getaway with friends.

The cottages are lovely, but the log hotel's interior is also filled with the scent of wood, as larch logs are used extensively throughout.

The log hotel offers twin and triple rooms, all in a maisonette style. The high ceilings in the living room on the first floor and the spacious terrace enhance the resort atmosphere. Furthermore, the furnishings and the maisonette bedrooms are designed with a calming feel, allowing you to relax no matter where you are in the spacious room.

Enjoying a chilly beer and chatting with friends at sunset, while gazing at the lake or the larch forest stretching out behind the hotel, is a moment when you truly feel like you're enjoying a resort getaway.

Although the hotel does not have a large public bath, each room has a private bathroom, and guests can also use the large public bath at a nearby resort free of charge. Since we traveled by train, we were also given a ride there, and we were able to relax and soothe our travel fatigue in the spacious bathtub.

And for the highlight of the trip, we enjoyed a creative French course dinner featuring seasonal dishes at "Le Montagne," a log cabin restaurant with high ceilings and an open, airy atmosphere. In the calm atmosphere filled with the warmth of wood, and with the pleasant service of the staff who had lovely smiles, we truly enjoyed our meal. Of course, every dish was beautiful to look at and tasted exquisite.

We ordered wine, and when we asked if we could drink the leftovers in our room, they kindly put it in a basket and gave it to us along with wine glasses. This kind of thoughtfulness was evident throughout the hotel, making it a truly pleasant resort hotel. Thanks to them, we were able to spend a lovely evening with a glass of wine in hand, while gazing at the illuminated larch forest stretching out behind the hotel.

Morning, noon, twilight, and night—Kanayama Lake Log Hotel Larch is full of charm at every time of day and in every season, and it is a hotel we can confidently recommend. Why not treat yourself to a relaxing adult resort experience once in a while?

Kanayama Lake Log Hotel Larch
Location: Lake Kanayama, Higashishikagoe, Minamifurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido
TEL：0167-52-3100
Check-in: 15:00
Check-out: 10:00

4. Attractions around Lake Kanayama

There are plenty of sights to see around Lake Kanayama. Perhaps the most famous is Ikutora Station, which was a filming location for the movie "Poppoya" (The Railwayman), starring Ken Takakura and based on a novel by Jiro Asada. Incidentally, it is set as "Horomai Station" in the movie.

The area around the station still has sets used for filming, making it feel like you've traveled back in time. Even if you haven't seen the movie, you should definitely visit to experience this nostalgic atmosphere.

In addition, you can enjoy meals and shopping at Michi-no-Eki Minami Furano (pictured above), which has a unique exterior designed to resemble the tip of a canoe, and there are also lovely souvenirs at the Log Hotel Larch's gift shop (pictured below).

Ikutora Station
*In the movie "Poppoya (The Railwayman)," Horomai Station is used.
Location: Ikutora, Minamifurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido

Michi-no-Eki Minami Furano (Minami Furano Local Products Center)
Location: 687 Ikutora, Minamifurano-cho, Sorachi-gun
TEL: 0167-52-2100
Closed on: New Year's holidays (December 31th to January 1st)
Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (April-May, October-March)
9:00-19:00 (July-December)

5. Access to Lake Kanayama

Located slightly south of the center of Hokkaido, Minami-Furano is easily accessible from Sapporo, Asahikawa, Tokachi, and New Chitose Airport, making it a convenient place to include in your travel plans.
From New Chitose Airport: Approximately 115 km, approximately 2 hours.
From Sapporo city center: Approximately 160 km, approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
From Asahikawa...approximately 100km, about 1 hour and 50 minutes.
From Obihiro...approximately 90km, about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
From Furano...approximately 40km, about 1 hour.

Access by train is as follows: Sapporo (approx. 2 hours by express train) → Shintoku (approx. 40 minutes) → Ikutora
Alternatively, you can take the JR Nemuro Main Line from Furano to Ikutora, which takes about 50 minutes. However, there are very few trains, so be sure to check the timetable.

Final thoughts

So, what did you think? I also visited there in the summer some time ago, and although I could only stay for one night, it was more relaxing and healing than any other resort I've ever visited, and I was able to create many wonderful memories that will stay with me forever. I highly recommend that you all visit and experience this amazing place for yourselves. You'll truly understand what the word "resort" means.

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