Mashu-ko (Lake Mashu)

Overview

One of Japan's largest caldera lakes, formed by a massive eruption approximately 7,000 years ago. It is a sanctuary called "Kamuy-to (Lake of the Gods)" in the Ainu language. Legend tells that the small island in the center, "Kamuy-shu Island," is the form of an old woman who became a deity while searching for her grandchild. The lake has no inflowing or outflowing rivers, keeping the water level stable throughout the year. In 1930, its clarity of 41.6 meters ranked second in the world, following Lake Baikal (currently around 17 meters). Famous in songs as the "Misty Lake Mashu," the views from the First Observation Deck and the Ura-Mashu Observation Deck are mystical.

Highlights

• ・Second-highest water clarity in the world (second only to Lake Baikal)
• ・The ethereal scenery of "Misty Lake Mashu"
• ・The Ainu sacred site of "Kamuy-to"
• ・The central Kamuy-shu Island