Lake Saroma
サロマ湖
Hokkaido’s largest lake and Japan’s third largest. From the Mount Horoiwa observatory, you can look down on the lake and the sea, separated by a slender sandbar.
Lake Saroma covers about 150 square kilometers, making it Hokkaido’s largest lake. It is separated from the Sea of Okhotsk by a sandbar about 25 km long, and it is famous for its scallops and oysters. From the Lake Saroma Observatory on Mount Horoiwa, about 376 meters above sea level, you can take in the striking sight of the lake and the sea side by side. It is also a well-known spot for watching the sunset. The Wakka Primeval Flower Garden on the eastern shore and the coral grass colony on the southern shore each have their own appeal. The lake is about 50 minutes by car from Abashiri city center. The observatory road is closed in winter, so driving is recommended.
Opening hours
All day (viewpoint road closed approx. November–April)
Nearby sights
- Wakka Primeval Flower Garden
- Lake Notoro Coral Grass (Uparanai)
- Lake Abashiri
- Abashiri Prison Museum
- Cape Notoro
- Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum
- Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples
- Moyoro Shell Mound Museum