All Hokkaido > Programs > Snowshoeing to Lake Mashu- The Ura Mashu Observatory Course

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A world of silvery white under a deep blue sky. You'll have the silent Lake Mashu all to yourself. This is an impressive world that you can only experience in winter.

After walking along the closed road, Mt. Mashu soon comes into view. From here, we start our snow hike towards Lake Mashu.

The magical winter weather of the Shiretoko area

The Uramashu Observatory is closed for the winter, so you have the beautiful Lake Mashu all to yourself in the harsh winter.

Enjoy the spectacular view of Lake Mashu.

On the way back, we went snowshoeing through the forest!!

Off-Season Program

Snowshoeing to Lake Mashu- The Ura Mashu Observatory Course

Lake Kussharo & Lake Mashu

Available Period:

2025-01-06～2025-03-10

Duration:

~5 hours

Location: Abashiri/ Shiretoko

Available Period: Early January~ Mid-March

Duration: ~5 hours

Fee: Participants: 13,050yen
Solo participant: 16,650yen

This program is currently unavailable as it is outside the offered period.

Overview
Requirements
Meeting Point/What to Bring
Review
Guide

Tour Highlights

This is a popular course that takes you to the Uramashu Observatory by snowshoe, which is closed in winter.
You’ll have Lake Mashu all to yourself!

In winter, the Uramashu Observatory cannot be reached by car or public transport.
Why not go to the deserted Uramashu Observatory on snowshoes?
There, you will encounter the wonderful world of the mysterious Lake Mashu.

The Uramashu Observatory course is a half-day course with a gentle uphill climb.
It is a reasonable course, so women can also participate.

You can also enjoy meeting wild animals such as red foxes, Hokkaido squirrels, and woodpeckers along the way.

10 years and older

Meeting Location

JR Kiyosatochō Station or Kiyosato Ihatov Hostel

Meeting Address

JR Kiyosatochō Station: Mizumotomachi, Kiyosato, Shari District, Hokkaido 099-4406

Kiyosato Ihatov Hostel: 282 Koyo, Kiyosato, Shari District, Hokkaido 099-4403

Access to Meeting Location

[By car]

From Abashiri, take National Highway 244 via Koshimizu ~25km. Head towards JR Kiyosatocho Station.
From Memanbetsu Airport or Kitami, take National Highway 334 via Bihoro towards Shari ~30km.

If you are unsure of the directions, please call us from JR Kiyosatocho Station.

What to Bring & Wear

Cold weather gear- warm and easy-to-move-in clothes
Snowwear tops and bottoms, light down jacket, or similar wear
Cold weather gloves are a must. Ski or snowboard gloves are also acceptable.
Waterproof trekking shoes, boots, or snow boots with thick socks.
Knit hat
Sunglasses or snow goggles

Reviews（0）

Tomio Ishida

Snowshoe trekking to Lake Mashu in the harsh winter starts in the afternoon. A nature guide will take you to the Uramashu Observatory, which is closed in winter. Why not go snowshoeing to see Lake Mashu when it is closed off?

Tour Company

We can suggest guided tours to suit your needs, such as tours of the Shiretoko Five Lakes or cycling to Lake Mashu. We offer a variety of experiences, from trekking to get up close and fully experience the Okhotsk Sea, to hot air ballooning in winter, and snowshoeing to Lake Mashu and Kaminoko Pond.

Company Name: Shiretoko Tourist

Program List

Overview

Available Period

Early January~ Mid-March

Depending on the snow conditions, dates may change

Duration: ~5 hours, 11：30～16：30

Itinerary

11:30 Gather and travel to the Uramashu Snowshoe Tour starting point in the guide’s shuttle. On the way, you will purchase lunch at a convenience store

↓
12:00 Arrive at starting point. Start your snowshoe walk towards the Uramashu Observatory.
↓
15:30 End of Uramashu snowshoe tour
Return to starting point.
↓
16:30 Arrive and end of tour.

Fee

Participants: 13,050yen

Solo participant: 16,650yen

What's Included

Equipment rentals
Guide
Insurance

Pick-Up Service: We provide free pick-up service from JR Kiyosatocho Station. Guests staying at accommodations near Kiyosatocho Station will be picked up at their hotel.

Payment: Prepayment by credit card

Notes

If the tour cannot proceed due to heavy rain, lightning, wind, or blizzard, we will cancel the tour and inform you.
The tour dates may be changed or cancelled if there is not enough snow due to unseasonal weather or other reasons.
The tour may be cancelled midway for safety or other reasons at the discretion of the guide.
Please follow all of the instructions of the tour guide, as there are risks in outdoor tours. Please also understand that the guide cannot be held personally responsible for any accidents caused by the customer’s intentional or negligent acts.
We have insurance, but we ask you to write a participation consent form in case of any unforeseen situations. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
We have liability insurance for each tour, but we recommend that you also take out your own personal injury insurance. In the event of an accident, we will take measures within the scope of the insurance, but please note that we cannot compensate you if the limit is exceeded.

Cancellation / Changes

A cancellation fee of 100% is charged if cancelled on the day of the event or in case of a no-show
A cancellation fee of 50% is charged if cancelled 1 day or less before the event
A cancellation fee of 20% is charged if cancelled 7 days or less before the event
A cancellation fee of 10% is charged if cancelled 14 days or less before the event