Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Lake Mashu 摩周湖

Visited 05.02.2013

First attraction on Twinkle Bus Shiretoko-go Shibecha-Kawayu line.

A beautiful crater lake located in Teshikaga town, well known for its clear waters. Lake Mashu is about 20 km in perimeter, occupying an area of 19 km2. Weather was good on the day of visit and we managed to get a panoramic view of the entire lake.

Myth? On most days, the lake is obscured by fog and mist. And it is said that one will be down on luck if he/she sees the clear water surface. Hopefully this is not true...

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Lake Mashu 摩周湖
http://www.masyuko.or.jp/pc/sightseeing/masyuko.html

View Larger Map

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How to get there?

(1) JR Twinkle Bus: 
- Twinkle Bus Shiretoko-go available from Feb to Mar. Fee = 1,000 yen.
- Twinkle Bus Doto Shitsugen/Shiretoko available from July to August.
JR Hokkaido: http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/index.html

(2) Local bus:
- Operated by Akan Bus, local bus (Mashu line, 摩周线) departs from Mashu JR Station and terminates at Lake Mashu first observatory. Two round trips per day.
Bus schedule: http://www.akanbus.co.jp/localbu/mashu.htm

(3) Sightseeing bus:
- Operated by Akan Bus, this 1 day sightseeing bus departs from Kushiro JR Station and makes a stop at Lake Mashu.
Akan Bus: http://www.akanbus.co.jp/sightse/index.html
From April to October: http://www.akanbus.co.jp/sightse/s001.html
From January to February: http://www.akanbus.co.jp/sightse/w001.html

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Twinkle Bus Shiretoko-go

Joined 05.02.2013, 06.02.2013

- Shiretoko-go and Sounkyo-go Twinkle buses (from JR Hokkaido website) -

As part of Hokkaido winter tourism campaign, JR company introduces additional bus services (Shiretoko-go and Sounkyo-go Twinkle Buses) between late January to early March, to various destinations in East Hokkaido. These destinations include majestic natural landscapes such as Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo, Mt Iou and Oshinkoshin falls, and hot spring paradise in Sounkyo, Kawayu and Utoro. What I like most about this service is that the departure/arrival timings of these buses are planned to fit into their existing train schedule, therefore allowing passengers to transit between bus and train efficiently!

Tip: Try as much as possible to reserve and purchase the bus tickets early (stated as 3 days beforehand in small prints), preferably at Twinkle Plaza which can be found at major train stations (Sapporo, Asahikawa, Obihiro, Hakodate, Kushiro and Abashiri). Did try to purchase the tickets on the day itself and fortunately was allowed to do that. As this bus service is exclusive to JR passengers only, you may be asked to show your JR Pass or tickets prior purchase.

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Summary: 

Made use of three out of five available routes for Twinkle Bus Shiretoko-go. The fee for each route cost 1,000 yen.

(1) Shibecha - Kawayu Line: 
- SL Fuyu-no-Shitusugen Train from Kushiro arrives at Shibecha JR Station at 1224 hrs.
- Allows passengers to transfer to this bus that departs at 1240 hrs.
- Attractions covered: Lake Mashu and Mt Iou

(2) Kawayu - Utoro Line: 
- Same bus serving Shibecha-Kawayu Line, therefore one do not need to alight or change to another bus if you are continuing the journey to Utoro Onsen.
- Attraction covered: Oshinkoshin Falls

(3) Utoro - Shiretoko-shari Line:
- Bus pick up passengers from hotels in Utoro Onsen between 0735 to 0745 hrs.
- Arrive at Shiretoko-shari JR Station at 0835 hrs to catch Ryuhyo Norokko Train that departs at 0855 hrs.

JR Hokkaido website: http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/index.html
Shiretoko-go & Sounkyo-go Twinkle buses (2013 edition): http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/pdf/e/ml201212.pdf

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Day 3 Itinerary: Utoro Onsen ウトロ温泉

Day 3 - 05.02.2013 (Tue)

Breakfast: Kushiro Royal Inn

Early lunch: Washo Market (和商市场)

Kushiro JR Station (1109 hrs) > Shibecha JR Station (1224 hrs)
by DL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train.
Fee = 1,340 yen

Joined JR Twinkle Bus Course (1240 - 1615 hrs).
(1) Shibecha-Kawayu Line: visited Lake Mashu and Mt Iwo. Fee = 1,000 yen
(2) Kawayu-Utoro Line: visited Oshinkoshi Falls. Fee = 1,000 yen

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Check in: Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi

Dinner: Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi

Watched 27th Shiretoko Aurora Fantasia at 2000 hrs.

- End of Day 3 -