With June here, Niseko has been blessed with perfect trekking weather. Under a beautiful blue sky, I took a leisurely walk around the lakes and marshes that are representative of Niseko.
First up is Shinsennuma Pond. Located high up in the Niseko mountain range, it boasts a unique and distinctive landscape. Accessible via a boardwalk, it’s recommended for families with relatively young children and those who want to leisurely enjoy nature. You can choose to go left or right along the boardwalk on the way there, but I recommend the right-hand path, which offers excellent views. The pond is said to be formed solely from rainwater, but this season it seemed to have a slightly lower water level than usual.
This is Naganuma. Located next to Shinsennuma, it’s worth a visit if you have the energy. It’s also the entrance to a trailhead where you can start climbing the mountains right in front of you (left: Chisenupuri, right: Mekunai-dake).
This is Kagami-numa Pond, located at the foot of Mount Niseko Annupuri. Surprisingly, the trail to access it is the most challenging of the bunch, requiring several ascents and descents and crossings of small streams, but in return, you can feel a sense of tranquility when you reach the top.
This is Hangetsu Lake, located at the foot of Mount Yotei. There’s a trail that goes all the way around the lake, so you can return to your starting point without having to go back and forth. You can go clockwise or counterclockwise, but counterclockwise is recommended. The reason is that you start with a slight uphill climb, then you can gently descend around the lake, and if you have the energy at the end, you can also enjoy the trail that goes down to the lake.
At NAC, our guides will select the best course for you based on your fitness level. Let’s enjoy the refreshing mountain breeze together!