The Kussharo-Genya Youth Guest House’s “Unkai” tour is available only to guests staying overnight at the house. Together with Wakocchi Cafe and the trails and water activities nearby, Kussharogenya offers various starting points for planning a trip: a weather-dependent experience at the house, a daytime meal and excursions around Lake Kussharo.
Tours and Cuisine at the Kussharo-Genya Youth Guest House
Only overnight guests at the Kussharo-Genya Youth Guest House can take part in the “Unkai” tour, and it is also weather-dependent. So plan for an overnight stay and check with the guest house in advance to confirm whether the tour will run. Wakocchi Cafe at the Guest House serves lunch during the day and uses plenty of locally sourced ingredients. The menu includes Western cuisine, curry, soba and udon. The cafe is therefore a specific daytime dining option; opening arrangements and individual ingredients may change. Check the services and menu before your visit if lunch is an essential part of your plans.
Water Activities on the Lake and River
Various canoe and raft activities are offered nearby on Lake Kussharo and the Kushiro River. At the Wakoto Peninsula, you can canoe, stand-up paddleboard, fish and play in the water along the lakeshore. Conditions and access rules may apply. Kussharo Water Sports Exchange Park has a boat ramp, where non-motorized watercraft such as canoes, kayaks and SUPs can be used on Lake Kussharo. This is a different way to enjoy the water from activities involving rafts.
Atreyu’s winter canoe trip follows the upper reaches of the Kushiro River for about 3.5 kilometers, ending just past Atreyu. Check with the operator before your trip to confirm seasonal availability. The seasonal contrast is worth noting: water play and canoeing at Wakoto are summer activities, while Atreyu’s canoe trip is a winter excursion; the peninsula is very busy in summer.
Explore Wakoto on Foot
The Wakoto Peninsula also has trails with different details to help you plan. One circular route is listed as 3.2 kilometers long, with a walking time of 42 minutes, and is classified as a hiking and hot spring route. The Wakoto Nature Trail also forms a loop of about 2.5 kilometers around the peninsula, with views of the cobalt-blue lake along the way. The first route has a stated walking time, while the lake view is a specific highlight of the nature trail.
A circular route on Wakoto passes Oyako-tsu Jigoku, where volcanic activity can still be observed. Other ideas for outings include walks along a promenade for forest bathing and visits to hot springs. Alongside water-based activities, circular walks and nature observation are also options in the surrounding area.
For the broader travel overview: Teshikaga.
