Kaminoko Pond
神の子池
A small cobalt-blue pond said to be fed by groundwater from Lake Mashu, where sunken logs and swimming Dolly Varden can be clearly seen. It is called the child of Lake Mashu.
Kaminoko-ike is in the forest of Kiyosato Town. It is about 220 m around and about 5 m deep. Legend has it that it is formed by groundwater welling up from Lake Mashu, which the Ainu call the god lake, and this is where its name comes from. The water stays at about 8°C all year. It is a clear cobalt blue, and you can clearly see the dead logs lying on the bottom and the red-spotted Dolly Varden swimming. The light is most beautiful on sunny mornings. Admission is free, and there is a parking lot and toilets. The last stretch is about 2 km of gravel forest road, which is not passable in winter when the snow is deep. It is about 30 minutes by car from the Lake Mashu Third Observation Deck, and you can stop at the Ura-Mashu Observation Deck on the way.
Opening hours
Open all day (forest roads difficult in winter)
Nearby sights
- Lake Mashu (First Observatory)
- Kawayu Onsen
- Mount Io (Atosanupuri)
- Sunayu, Lake Kussharo
- Tawadaira
- 900 Grassland
- Wakoto Peninsula
- Bihoro Pass