Lake Kussharo ( 屈斜路湖 , Kussharo-ko ) is a caldera lake in Akan National Park , eastern Hokkaidō , Japan . As with many geographic names in Hokkaidō, the name derives from the Ainu language . It is the largest caldera lake in Japan in terms of surface area, and the sixth largest lake in Japan. It is also the largest lake in Japan to freeze over completely in winter. The name Lake Kutcharo is also sometimes used.
8-470: The lake's central island, Nakajima (not to be confused with another island of the same name in Lake Tōya ), is a stratovolcano . It is also Japan's largest recursive island . Volcanic gases render the lake water acidic , and it supports few fish, except in areas where inflowing streams dilute the water. Rainbow trout , which are resistant to fairly acidic water, have been artificially introduced. In 1951,
16-419: A lake monster , dubbed Kusshii by the press from 1973. When the layer of ice covering the lake contracts under extreme cold, it reveals water that freezes and fills in with new ice. Later, as daytime temperatures rise, with no room for the ice to expand, the resulting pressure causes ridges to form. This phenomenon can only be seen during the coldest time of winter. Wakoto was originally a volcanic island in
24-572: Is a volcanic caldera lake in Shikotsu-Toya National Park , Abuta District , Hokkaidō , Japan . It is part of "Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano Global Geopark" which joins in Global Geoparks Network . The stratovolcano of Mount Usu lies on the southern rim of the caldera. The lake is nearly circular, being 10 kilometers in diameter from the eastwest and 9 kilometers from the northsouth. The town of Tōyako comprises most of
32-557: The Tōya Lake Forest Museum . Lake Tōya was called Kim'un-to (キ ム ウン (kim'un) means "in the mountain" and ト (to) means "lake" ) by the Ainu . In the Meiji era , Japanese pioneers named the lake Tōya after the Ainu expression to ya , which means "lakeshore, land around a lake." The 2008 G8 Summit was held at Lake Tōya and The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa . Surrounding
40-516: The area surrounding the lake and the town of Sōbetsu is located on the eastern side. Lake Tōya is said to be the northernmost lake in Japan that never ices (with competing claim by nearby Lake Shikotsu ), and the second most transparent lake in Japan. Nakajima Island (not to be confused with another island of the same name in Lake Kussharo ) is a recursive island in the middle of the lake which houses
48-487: The lake, now a peninsula connected to Lake Kussharo's southern shore due to sediment build up. The peninsula has unique characteristics, with its hot springs making it one of the few places to see band-legged ground crickets ( Nemobiinae ) all year round. Wakoto is the northernmost habitat in Japan of the Minminzemi cicada and their only habitat in eastern Hokkaido. Lake T%C5%8Dya Lake Tōya ( 洞爺湖 , Tōya-ko )
56-575: The lake, there are numerous parks as well as walking trails, such as the Waterfront Forest Lane (Takarada Nature Observation Trail) and the Nishiyama Sanroku Crater Trail. Several onsen managed by the town of Toyako offer a view of the lake. There are also several hand and footbaths nearby. Uniquely, large vending machines near the onsen offer spring water that can be taken to be used at home. This Hokkaidō location article
64-458: The rare Hyalessa maculaticollis , commonly known as the Minminzemi cicada was discovered, and is now protected by the government. The lake is also on the migratory path of the whooper swan . Along the lake shore are several outdoor hot springs and a sand beach, with naturally heated sand and hot groundwater. The lake is also known as "Japan's Loch Ness ", after numerous reported sightings on
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