A breathtaking sapphire-blue view! The moment Lake Mashu shines most mysteriously | Winter Lake Mashu Hokkaido Lab ~A Hokkaido travel guide to enjoy gourmet food, nature, and culture~

A breathtaking sapphire-blue landscape! The moment Lake Mashu shines most mysteriously | Lake Mashu in winter

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: Last updated: September 11, 2018

Table of contents

1. The secret of blue

2. Ice formation varies depending on the year and time of day.

3. How to enjoy ice formation

4. Art along the way

5. Past ice formation data

6. Access

7. Afterword

Lake Mashu frozen in winter

If you were to ask which lake in Hokkaido is the most beautiful, Lake Mashu would undoubtedly be one of the names that would come up.

With its awe-inspiring, almost divine presence, Lake Mashu is a mystical space so enchanting that the Ainu people call it "Kamuy-to" (Lake of the Gods). But in winter, Lake Mashu becomes even more mystical.

That's Lake Mashu in a semi-frozen state. Every year, Lake Mashu enters its ice-free season from late January to around February 20th.

The lake is especially beautiful when it is still freezing over. The white ice enhances the sapphire-blue surface, making it sparkle.

1. The secret of blue

Lake Mashu in winter, a beautiful blue color. Why is it so blue?

Lake Mashu's exceptional clarity and great depth (maximum depth 212m) are thought to contribute to its unique blue color. The presence of hot spring components, due to its volcanic location, may also play a role.

In fact, the shores of Lake Mashu, as seen in summer, have a greenish-blue hue. During this time of year, the water is clearer than in summer, and the blue stands out even more visually against the white background.

2. Ice formation varies depending on the year and time of day.

Lake Mashu frozen 1

Lake Mashu frozen over 2

Lake Mashu frozen 3 The way ice forms varies from year to year; no two are ever exactly alike.

On some days, the conditions can change between morning and afternoon. Sometimes the shore freezes first, sometimes it becomes patchy all over, and sometimes it snows while the ice is forming.

I'm excited to see what kind of art we'll get to see this year.

3. How to enjoy ice formation

Lake Mashu - Winter Hiking What's the best way to enjoy the frozen Lake Mashu to the fullest?

I recommend snowshoeing from the first observation deck towards the third observation deck. You can see the magnificent scenery from an even closer distance than from the first observation deck.

Snowshoes are a type of Western-style snowshoe. By attaching them to your regular shoes, you can enjoy hiking in the snow without sinking deep into it.

Occasionally, you'll see people attempting this in regular shoes, but they all end up getting stuck in the mud and having to retreat. So, snowshoes or, if you're confident in your skills, hiking with skis on is the best option.

Scenes from winter trekking around Lake Mashu Even during the day, temperatures can drop to around -5 to -10°C, but it often gets quite warm while hiking.

However, your ears, fingertips, and feet will get very cold if you don't keep them well-protected, so you need to be overly prepared for this. Bring several disposable hand warmers as well. Of course, bring food and water too.

Snow-covered shores of Lake Mashu Carrying snowshoes around while traveling can be a hassle, and some people might feel anxious about walking around Lake Mashu in winter for the first time.

As shown in the photo above, there are also snow cornices, which are formations that suddenly collapse when you get close to them.

That's right, this isn't a managed theme park, but a garden of the gods where you confront the raw power of nature. Lack of equipment or knowledge can easily be fatal.

For those who want to explore Lake Mashu in depth, joining a tour led by a guide who knows the area inside and out is a good option. Tourism Teshikaga, located in the local Kawayu Onsen area, offers tours specifically for such people.

[Tourism Teshikaga]http://www.tourism-teshikaga.co.jp/
Snowshoes and boots are available for rent (for snowshoe tour participants), so you can participate empty-handed, which is great!

4. Art along the way

Frost-covered trees on Lake Mashu During your hike, you can see snow frozen onto the trees, and on days when the temperature drops to around minus 15°C, you can see rime ice in the morning.

The frost sometimes flutters down after 10 a.m., creating a beauty reminiscent of falling cherry blossoms.

Patterns on the ice of Lake Mashu Sometimes, geometric art can be found drawn on the surface of the lake.

Sapphire blue Lake Mashu The ice formations resemble rivers flowing across a frosty landscape. There are many patterns of ice formation, but it becomes especially beautiful when blue is mixed in with the white of the ice.

Faced with such a mystical landscape, I no longer feel the cold; I'm simply overwhelmed with emotion. It's a moment when I'm glad I traveled all this way.

5. Past ice formation data

A panoramic view of Lake Mashu in winter For reference, here is some ice formation data from the past few years...

2010: "Beginning to freeze on 2/14 - Best on 2/20 - Afterwards, it did not freeze completely and thawed."
2011: "Started freezing on February 9th - then melted immediately and never froze again."
2012: "Beginning to freeze 1/21 - Best 2/5 - Completely frozen 2/11"
2013: "Beginning to freeze 1/14 - Best 2/12 - Completely frozen 2/14"
2014: "Beginning to freeze on January 24th - Best on February 12th - Afterwards, it did not completely freeze and thawed."

Has become.

Finding the perfect spot isn't easy, but if you do manage to see it, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views that will create lifelong memories.
Why not give it a try?

The best time to see the ice is around the frost line, for a total of three days, but there are also times when the ice spreads nicely unexpectedly. There is a live camera at Lake Mashu, so it's a good idea to check that to time your visit.

In terms of timing, the best time to visit is between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM on a clear day, as the light is strongest then, making the view particularly brilliant. It's a good idea to start from the first observation deck between 9:30 AM and 10:00 AM.

6. Access

1 hour and 20 minutes by car from Kushiro Airport
1 hour and 20 minutes by car from Memanbetsu Airport
20 minutes by car from JR Mashu Station
Two hours by car from Ashoro Interchange on the Doto Expressway.

During the winter months, it is possible to drive to the Lake Mashu First Observatory, but the road from there towards Kawayu Onsen is closed off by a gate.

7. Afterword

Lake Mashu enjoys relatively stable weather from late January to February, with many sunny days. Although it is known as "Misty Lake Mashu," fog rarely occurs during this period. As mentioned earlier, temperatures can drop to around -5°C even during the day, so be sure to take thorough precautions against the cold.

Incidentally, there's a saying that if you can see Lake Mashu, your marriage or career advancement will be delayed. However, this is a made-up story created by a bus guide to comfort customers who couldn't see anything due to the fog, so those concerned about their marriage prospects can rest assured and enjoy Lake Mashu on a sunny day. On the contrary, Lake Mashu on a clear day has a wonderful power that can make you feel more positive about life.

Lake Mashu offers a special view that can only be seen at this time of year; why not go and see it for yourself?

Image provided by: Tomoki Kagoshima

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