Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

This is an exhibition hall themed around drift ice and the creatures of the Sea of Okhotsk. Visitors can experience Okhotsk winter throughout the year in the drift ice experience room, where real drift ice is kept at minus 15 degrees Celsius. Visitors will be amazed at the adorable creatures on display, such as the clione, known as the “drift ice angel,” the balloon fish, and the sea slug. From the Tentozan Observatory, which is located next to the museum, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Shiretoko Mountain Range, a World Natural Heritage site, as well as the changing scenery of the four seasons. This spectacular view has been designated as a national cultural asset and a “place of scenic beauty.

Held from early May to early Jun.

Shibazakura, also known as moss phlox, is the representative flower of Spring in Hokkaido. Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park is one of the most well-known places for shibazakura in the whole prefecture! The ten-hectare park is painted with the most glorious pink and white colors from early May to early Jun. At the top of the hill is an observatory from which to take stunning photographs of the picturesque landscape. The photogenic pink torii shrine gate is also a popular spot to take pictures. Enjoy a leisurely stroll and find that perfect place to capture the mass of pink that signals Spring’s true arrival in Northern Japan!

Mt. Io (Atosanupuri), a once-prosperous active volcano due to sulfur mining, is the source of the hot spring waters of Kawayu Hot Spring. Countless fumaroles dot its brown mountainside, powerfully emitting white smoke containing sulfur. The air is thick with the scent of sulfur, and you can get very close to these fumaroles, allowing you to experience their dynamism firsthand.

Spreading at the foot of the mountain is a large colony of "Ezoisotsutsuji" (Hokkaido rhododendron), a species unique to Hokkaido. Growing in the harsh environment, it blooms beautiful pure white flowers from June to July. The "Tsutsujigahara Nature Exploration Trail" is maintained from the town of Kawayu Hot Spring to Mt. Io, and guided tours are also available.

A hot spring resort known for its highly acidic water sourced from Mt. Io (Sulphur Mountain), an active volcano in Akan Mashu National Park. Visitors can also observe the breathtaking diamond dust phenomenon in winter.

The greatest draw of Kawayu Onsen is its exceptional water quality. The highly acidic water, rare even in Japan, boasts a strong acidity of pH 1.6 to 1.8. This unique quality has made it popular for centuries, thanks to its excellent bactericidal properties and its skin-beautifying effect, which leaves the skin smooth and soft. The thermal warmth of the hot springs penetrates deep into the body's core. Throughout the onsen town, you can easily enjoy the local bounty at free-flowing footbaths (ashiyu).

Located in a region of severe cold, Kawayu Onsen offers a unique winter spectacle. During the coldest months, the "Diamond Dust" phenomenon—where frozen water vapor glitters in the clear air—can be observed. After witnessing this beautiful, fantastical sight, the highly acidic hot water is the perfect cure, warming your body and soothing your fatigue. Enjoy this unforgettable, sensory experience unique to winter in Kawayu.

While enjoying the view of Lake Kussharo, you can relax in a hot spring rich in salt and carbon dioxide gas, which warms your body from the core and is expected to have beautifying effects. This hot spring area, with good access to both the Okhotsk and the Nemuro-Kushiro regions, heals travelers' fatigue.