Lake Shikotsu Campervan Guide | Complete Guide to Lakeside Overnight Car Camping, Kayaking & Hot Springs

Lake Shikotsu is Japan’s northernmost non-freezing lake, located near Sapporo, with water clarity ranked among the best in Japan. Just about 40 minutes from New Chitose Airport, it has become a popular first destination for travelers exploring Hokkaido by campervan. Parking by the lake and having a quiet morning all to yourself is one of the unique pleasures of campervan travel.

What Is Lake Shikotsu? Why You Should Visit by Campervan

Lake Shikotsu (Shikotsu-ko) is a caldera lake located in Chitose City, Hokkaido, with a circumference of about 40 km. It boasts Japan’s second-deepest point at 363 m, and an average water clarity of over 8–10 m, making it one of the clearest lakes in the country. Known as “Japan’s northernmost non-freezing lake,” it is a rare lake whose surface does not freeze even in the depths of winter.

The greatest advantage of visiting by campervan is that you can arrive in as little as 40 minutes from New Chitose Airport and stay right on the lakeshore. By renting a campervan at New Chitose Airport and heading straight there, you can enjoy the stunning lake views the moment you arrive without worrying about check-in times. Since Lake Shikotsu hot springs, activities, and dining are all concentrated around the lake, a few days’ stay lets you fully immerse yourself in Hokkaido’s nature.

Campgrounds & RV Parks Around Lake Shikotsu

The Lake Shikotsu area has facilities well-suited for campervan stays. Here are the main campgrounds and their features.

Lake Shikotsu Lakeside Campground (Shikotsu Kohan Yaei-jo)

This public campground is adjacent to the Lake Shikotsu hot spring area, with lakeside sites where the water spreads out right before you. It has hot shower facilities and can accommodate extended campervan stays. With cooking areas and toilets available, it is used by a wide range of visitors from families to solo travelers. Advance booking is strongly recommended as July and August are peak season.

Bifue Campground

Located on the south side of Lake Shikotsu, this popular campground sits directly on the lakeshore. It has high word-of-mouth ratings for its quiet atmosphere and superb location, and is so popular that reservations are hard to get during the season. You can enjoy water play and fishing on the lake, and at night the sky fills with stars. Campervan sites are also available, so check availability in advance when planning your trip.

Nearby RV Parks & Roadside Stations

There are also facilities with RV park amenities near the Lake Shikotsu hot spring area. The Roadside Station “Salmon Park Chitose” in Chitose City is conveniently located as a gateway stop on the way to Lake Shikotsu. Combining this with a Hokkaido campervan rental plan allows you to travel comfortably while keeping costs down.

5 Activities to Enjoy at Lake Shikotsu

Lake Shikotsu is a treasure trove of activities. From experiences that make the most of its crystal-clear waters to nature experiences through the four seasons, there are plenty of options to enrich your campervan trip.

1. Kayaking & Canoeing

Paddling across Lake Shikotsu, with water clarity ranked among Japan’s best, is an experience you can only have here. Gliding across the crystal water where you can see the stones on the lake bed feels like floating in mid-air. Multiple activity companies in the Lake Shikotsu hot spring area offer kayaking and canoeing tours, and beginners can easily join for 1–2 hours.

2. Scuba Diving

Lake Shikotsu is also known as one of Hokkaido’s premier diving spots. Diving in a freshwater lake with clarity exceeding 8 m offers a unique experience unlike the sea. The lake bed retains traces of volcanic activity, allowing exploration of a distinctive landscape. Plans are available for all skill levels, from introductory dives to full fun dives.

3. Water Trekking (Koke no Domon & Otaki Course)

Water trekking through the mountain streams around Lake Shikotsu has been rapidly growing in popularity in recent years. In particular, the “Koke no Domon” (Moss Tunnel) and “Otaki Course” are known for their fantastical scenery of vivid green moss and clear streams. Joining a guided tour is the safest option, and beginners can participate with peace of mind.

4. Cycling (Approx. 40 km Around the Lake)

The approximately 40 km cycling route around the lake is a popular course that lets you enjoy the full panorama of Lake Shikotsu. Rent a bicycle in the Lake Shikotsu hot spring area and take a leisurely ride through the lakeside forest roads for an extraordinary experience. Using your campervan as a base means you can return whenever you get tired, making it accessible even for beginners.

5. Winter Ice Festival (Held Every February)

The “Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival,” held every February at Lake Shikotsu hot spring, is an event where giant ice sculptures made by spraying Lake Shikotsu water illuminate the venue. The lit-up ice sculptures are truly fantastical. Visiting by campervan eliminates the need to secure accommodation, allowing flexible planning even during the busy season.

Hot Spring Spots Around Lake Shikotsu

Lake Shikotsu hot spring is a spa area with natural springs on the lakeshore, and there are multiple facilities available for day-trip bathing. Since hot springs are an important consideration for campervan trips, make sure to note the key spots.

Marukoma Onsen Ryokan

This long-established inn is famous for its natural open-air hot spring bath whose water level changes with Lake Shikotsu’s water level. The open-air bath, which extends out over the lake, allows you to feel Lake Shikotsu up close, and is known as one of Japan’s most scenic hot spring experiences. Day-trip bathing is also available, making it an ideal stop for campervan travelers.

Day-Trip Facilities in the Lake Shikotsu Hot Spring Area

Multiple inns and hotels in the Lake Shikotsu hot spring area accept day-trip bathers. In addition to “Shikotsu Marukoma Onsen Ryokan,” day-trip bathing is also available at “Kyukamura Shikotsu-ko” and others. Since hours and prices vary by facility, we recommend checking each facility’s official information before visiting. As campervan travelers have fewer opportunities to use lodging facilities’ bathing facilities, these day-trip hot springs are invaluable.

Lake Shikotsu Dining & Local Ingredients

When visiting Lake Shikotsu, be sure to savor the local cuisine as well.

Chip (Himemasu) Dishes

“Chip” is the local name for himemasu (kokanee salmon), a specialty ingredient of Lake Shikotsu. Known for its vivid red flesh and refined fat, it can be enjoyed in various preparations including salt-grilled, as sashimi, and smoked. Some restaurants in the Lake Shikotsu hot spring area offer lunch menus featuring chip. It is rare and only available during certain periods, but if your visit coincides, be sure to try it.

Cooking in Your Campervan Kitchen

We recommend stocking up on local ingredients at a supermarket in Chitose City before heading to Lake Shikotsu. Chitose City is a thriving agricultural area where you can find fresh vegetables and dairy products. Supermarkets convenient for stocking up on food are also scattered around New Chitose Airport, so picking up ingredients right after rental before heading to the lake is an efficient plan. A dinner cooked with local ingredients in your campervan kitchen at a lakeside campground is an incomparably delicious experience.

Model Itineraries for a Lake Shikotsu Campervan Trip

1-Night, 2-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Rent a campervan at New Chitose Airport → Stock up on food in Chitose City → Arrive at Lake Shikotsu and check in → Day-trip bathing at Lake Shikotsu hot spring → Stay overnight at campground

Day 2: Early morning lakeside walk → Kayaking experience (2–3 hours) → Lunch at a Lake Shikotsu restaurant → Return campervan to New Chitose Airport

As the closest Hokkaido nature experience from New Chitose Airport, even a short stay makes for a fulfilling trip.

2-Night, 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Rent at New Chitose Airport → Lake Shikotsu (lakeside camping, hot springs)

Day 2: Activities at Lake Shikotsu (kayaking or diving) → Move toward Lake Toya → Stay at Lake Toya hot spring

Day 3: Sightseeing around Lake Toya → Drive through the Niseko area → Return campervan to New Chitose Airport

An ambitious itinerary visiting the major attractions of central Hokkaido with Lake Shikotsu as the starting point.

Access & Important Notes

How to Get There

About 40 minutes (approx. 35 km) from New Chitose Airport via National Routes 36 and 453. Entering “Shikotsu-ko Onsen” in your car navigation will get you there smoothly. Since the route passes through Chitose City, you can stop for groceries and fuel along the way.

Seasonal Precautions

In winter (November–April), parts of National Route 453 experience icy and snowy road surfaces. Studded snow tires are essential, and the roads around Lake Shikotsu with many sharp curves demand particularly careful driving. When renting a campervan, be sure to check road conditions in advance for winter travel.

Rules Within the National Park

Lake Shikotsu is located within Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Open fires are only permitted in designated campground fire pits, and direct fires on the lakeshore are prohibited. All trash must be taken away, and collecting plants and animals is also prohibited. It is important for all visitors to follow the rules to protect the beautiful natural environment of Lake Shikotsu.

Summary

Lake Shikotsu is one of Hokkaido’s premier campervan destinations, combining outstanding accessibility just 40 minutes from New Chitose Airport with Japan’s top-class water clarity, abundant activities, hot springs, and great dining.

Even a short itinerary allows for a fulfilling experience, making it a destination we highly recommend for both first-time and experienced visitors to Hokkaido. Staying by campervan lets you enjoy the luxury of having the quiet lakeshore almost entirely to yourself in the morning and evening. Please consider adding Lake Shikotsu to your next Hokkaido travel plans.