Lake Mashu 摩周湖, Lake Kussharo 屈斜路湖

A 2-hour drive took them from Utoro to Kawayu 川湯. After checking into a hot spring hotel there, they rushed out to catch a glimpse of the sunset in Lake Mashu 摩周湖. A short drive from Kawayu through some windy mountainous road took them to the various observation points. Just below the third observation point where they parked, one could see Lake Kussharo 屈斜路湖 from afar.

Lake Kussharo 屈斜路湖 (view from Lake Mashu 摩周湖)

Lake Mashu was the most zen place of nature that they have been. There was a certain sense of mystic with the mist creeping out from the pool of water trapped inside a volcanic crater. Despite the long, long drive from Sapporo, it was worth the drive even if it was just to see Lake Mashu once.

Mum and dad went back there again in the morning.

Some people are more serious about taking photos than others.