Enjoy Nature of Lake Shikotsu with Clear-Bottom Kayak! Plan with Lunch, Onsen Bathing, and Aquarium Ticket

【OUTLINE】

Why don't you paddle a kayak and feel nature in Lake Shikotsu, boasting the prominent clearness in Japan? This is the only place in Hokkaido where you can paddle a clear-bottom kayak and view under the lake. The venue is accessible from Sapporo and Chitose in about one hour.

Lake Shikotsu is known as the northernmost ice-free lake and the second deepest in Japan. The clear-bottom kayak is enjoyed here all year round. Whenever you come, the lake shows a variety of appearances according to the season. For example, cherry blossoms and the highly clear water in spring, lush green mountains and pleasant breeze in summer, autumn colors and kokanee salmon in fall, and snow-covered mountains in winter, are all attractive.

This value plan includes a lunch buffet and bathing at the "Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizu no Uta" next to the experience facility, and an entrance ticket of the aquarium near the New Chitose Airport!

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• Experience kayaking on Lake Shikotsu, boasting the prominent clearness in Japan
• The only kayaks with a clear bottom in Hokkaido that look integrated with the lake! Have a relaxing time while enjoying the magnificent nature
• Even a beginner can enjoy safely as the guide teaches carefully, who is also happy to take photos
• Enjoy lunch at the adjacent resort hotel
• Have a relaxing time while appreciating the magnificent nature for two hours
•  Salmons and other creatures can be observed in the aquarium with one of Japan's largest freshwater tanks
  
  

【SCHEDULE】

Meeting → Check-in, change clothes → Walk to Lake Shikotsu → clear-bottom kayaking experience → Return to the facility and change clothes → Lunch, hot spring bathing → Move for New Chitose Airport by car or taxi, visit the aquarium → Disband

* Please enjoy the lunch buffet freely within the time frame (11: 30-14: 40) at "Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizu no Uta" next to the experience facility (about 3 minutes on foot)
* Please use the hot spring bath freely within the time frame (11: 30-14: 15) at "Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizu no Uta" next to the experience facility (about 3 minutes on foot)
* Salmon Hometown Chitose Aquarium is about a 40-minute drive from the site of the clear-bottom kayak. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It takes about 10 minutes by car from the aquarium to New Chitose Airport.

【DETAILS】

The venue of the experience is Lake Shikotsu in Chitose, Hokkaido, known as the northernmost ice-free lake that does not freeze throughout the year. Take a kayak with a clear bottom for about 2 hours on the lake, boasting the prominent clearness in Japan. Even if you had no prior experience, rest assured that a skilled guide will teach you carefully. You can experience kayaking here all year round. The color, smell, and sound change in spring, summer, fall, and winter. So whenever you come, you are sure to have a good time. Have a peaceful time in Lake Shikotsu while immersing yourself in nature.

In spring, the clearness of the lake becomes highest. If the timing is right, you can enjoy cherry blossoms viewing. Needless to say, a sunny day is the best! Many families come for kayaking in summer as it is the best season. You will be refreshed hearing the song of birds, surrounded by fresh greenery. In the heat of the day, take a nap in the leafy shade of trees. If it rains, you can borrow a raincoat. The staff will help make your stay as comfortable as possible. The Chitose River is surrounded by autumn leaves in the fall. You may be able to see a school of fish, such as kokanee salmon! In winter, you will be impressed with the tranquil view, such as distant snowy mountains. Even in the cold season, you can enjoy kayaking safely as a dry suit protect you from the cold.

You can also enjoy a lunch buffet and hot spring at "Shikotsu Lake Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizu no Uta" next to the experience facility (about 3 minutes on foot). 

On your way back to New Chitose Airport, you can stop by the "Salmon Hometown Chitose Aquarium." This aquarium has one of the largest water tanks in Japan. You can observe a variety of freshwater creatures from around the world, mainly of the salmon family and freshwater fish from Hokkaido.

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Time：120 minutes
• Meeting point：Ocean Days (Guest House Shikotsu Kamui)
  Banchigai, Shikotsuko Onsen, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido 066-0281 
• Access： 
  Access to Ocean Days
  <By car>
  ※ It is just for reference. As the time fluctuates depending on road conditions, please leave early.
  Parking lot: Shikotsuko Onsen parking lot
  Parking fee: 500 yen (free of charge from December to March)
  <By local bus>
  60 minutes from New Chitose Airport for Lake Shikotsu. Walk for 2 minutes from Lake Shikotsu bus stop.
  40 minutes from Chitose Station for Lake Shikotsu. Walk for 2 minutes from Lake Shikotsu bus stop.
  1,030 yen from Chitose Airport, 930 yen from Chitose Station
  <By Taxi>
  About 7,500 yen from New Chitose Airport
  About 6,000 yen from Chitose Station
  
• Language support：Japanese, English
• Included：
  ・ Guide fee
  ・ Life jacket
  Summer: sandals (crocs)
  When it rains: raincoat
  Winter: knit cap, gloves, dry suit (* Please inform the height, weight, and shoe size of all participants at the time of booking. For those who exceed 100 kg, dry suit may not be  prepared. Please consult in advance.), Boots (in early fall only)
  ・ Photos during the tour (Because the photos are taken under an unusual circumstance, they may not be available due to unavoidable reasons. Please understand.)
  ・ Insurance (excluding personal belongings)
  ・ Consumption tax
  ・ Lunch buffet at "Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizu no Uta"
  ・ Hot spring bathing fee at "Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizu no Uta"
  ・ An entrance ticket to Salmon Hometown Chitose Aquarium 
  
• Excluded：
  ・ Parking fee (April-November: 500 yen)
  ・ Life jacket rental for a dog: 500 yen
  
• Items to bring：
  Summer
  ・ Comfortable clothes easy to move in
  ・ Sandals with straps that do not come off (can be borrowed)
  ・ Motion sickness medicine (if necessary)
  ・ Hat, sunglasses, etc. (if necessary)
  Winter
  ・ Warm inner such as tops and bottoms of fleece,
  ・ Four adhesive hand warmers (large size) * Available at the shop.
• Participation requirements：
  ・ Participants need to be healthy both physically and mentally. (For senior citizens, please make sure whether you can sit with their legs bent for about an hour and paddle the kayak.)
  ・ For pregnant women, please refrain from joining.
  ・ For minors (younger than 20), a written consent signed by the parent or guardian is necessary. If only minors join the tour, please be sure to bring the consent signed by the guardian on the day. The consent form will be sent via email after the reservation is confirmed. If you forget to bring the document, you will not be able to participate in this course. In that case, the tour fee will not be returned.
  ・ If there is any minor in the group, the guardian is asked to sign the consent form on the day of the experience. Please select the number of minors when you book the tour.
• Free Wi-Fi：〇
• Toilet：〇
• Other things to note：
  ・ Safely first as you paddle the kayak by yourself. If the waves are high, or the current is intense, you may not be able to go to the lake. In that case, the tour will mainly go down the Chitose River. (Refund is not made.)
  ・ Those who weigh over 80kg may be required to ride alone. Please let us know at the time of booking.
  ・ As dry suit is put on from January to March, please tell us the height, weight, and shoe size of all of the participants.
  ・ For a customer weighing over 100 kg, a dry suit may not be available. Please consult in advance.
  
  

【CANCELLATION POLICY】

7 to 4 days before the tour date: 40% of the tour price
3 to 2 days before the tour date: 60% of the tour price
The day before the tour date, on the day of the tour: 100% of the tour price
※Right after the online settlement is made, a cancellation fee of 10% will be incurred in case of cancellation.
※The cancellation fee includes handling charges.