Lake Shinonome Guided Trek: Pedal Boat & Mountain Wilderness

You reach a secluded alpine lake most visitors can only hike to, by crossing another lake first in a pedal boat.

Lake Shinonome Guided Trekking Tour is a three-hour trek through Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido that combines pedal boating across Lake Shikaribetsu with mountain trekking to reach Lake Shinonome, one of the region's three great hidden lakes. An experienced guide leads the route in Japanese. Children are welcome from age six. The tour requires at least moderate physical fitness and is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns.

Step-by-step itinerary

Pedal boat and trek to Lake Shinonome

• Cross Lake Shikaribetsu by pedal boat
• Trek through Daisetsuzan wilderness
• Enjoy mountain views at Lake Shinonome
• Walk through untouched nature
• Take in peaceful lake scenery

The experience

Daisetsuzan National Park sits at the heart of Hokkaido's wilderness, and Lake Shinonome lies deeper inside it than most visitors venture. The route starts with a pedal boat crossing of Lake Shikaribetsu (a working part of the journey, not a scenic interlude), which gets you to trailheads the road does not reach. From there, the trek moves through untouched forest and alpine terrain toward the lake itself, with mountain views opening up as you climb. The guide navigates the route and points out the landscape. You move at a steady pace through three hours total.

Lake Shinonome earned its reputation as one of Hokkaido's Three Great Hidden Lakes because few people make it there. The pedal boat crossing is the key: it bypasses the longer foot approach and puts you on the water as part of the day itself, not as a transfer. Once you reach the lake, the scenery is the point: pristine water, untouched surroundings, the kind of quiet that comes from being genuinely remote. The guide is with you throughout, speaking Japanese, and can answer questions about what you are seeing as you move through the park.

The tour runs as a shared group experience with an experienced guide included in the price, along with the boat fare. You'll need moderate fitness to handle the trekking portion. The pedal boat is the easier half. Children from age six can join, though the full three hours and the terrain mean younger kids should be comfortable with sustained walking.

What’s included

• Boat fare across Lake Shikaribetsu.
• experienced guide throughout the trek.
• access to the remote trekking routes within Daisetsuzan National Park.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDeparts at 09:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 to 70 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideJapanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by TRAPOL

Is this one for you?This is a shared group tour with a guide leading the route, so it suits travelers who want expert navigation and company rather than a solo or private experience. The pedal boat crossing makes Lake Shinonome reachable in a single morning or afternoon, which works for visitors based in Hokkaido who cannot commit to a full-day backcountry hike.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Lake Shinonome, and why is it hard to reach?

Lake Shinonome is one of Hokkaido's three great hidden lakes, located deep within Daisetsuzan National Park where road access does not reach. Most visitors can only get there on foot via a long hike, but this tour uses a pedal boat crossing of Lake Shikaribetsu to reach closer trailheads, cutting the approach time significantly.

How does the pedal boat part of the tour work?

You cross Lake Shikaribetsu by pedal boat as the first part of the journey. It is not a scenic cruise. It is the route itself, getting you to the trekking trails that lead onward to Lake Shinonome. The boat fare is included.

How long is the trek, and what is the fitness level needed?

The full tour takes three hours, combining the pedal boat crossing and the trekking. You should have at least moderate physical fitness to handle the walking portion through the wilderness and mountain terrain.