Onuma Quasi-National Park

Sunset on Lake Ōnuma

Ōnuma Quasi-National Park (大沼国定公園 Onuma-kokuteikōen) is a national park centered on Lake Ōnuma (大沼湖) in southern Hokkaido, Japan. The lake is also one of Ramsar sites.

Understand

Ōnuma means "great marsh", a fairly apt description of this placid lake. Divided in two by a thin strip of land, the smaller western portion of the lake is known as Konuma (小沼, "small marsh"). At the southern edge of the strip lies the small eponymous village and tourist center of Onuma.

Get in

The nearest major center is Hakodate.

By train

Leaving Hakodate, if you take the Ltd Express Super Hokuto train, it takes 19 minutes to reach Onuma Koen station. The regular JR Hakodate train takes about 50 minutes. The trains leave about once an hour for the park. Be sure to check the return schedule because trains are more infrequent in the evening and they don't run very late so you may find yourself missing the last one.

By bus

There are also buses to Hakodate that take a comparatively slow 60 min for the journey.

Get around

A less frequently traveled branch line from Ōnuma station runs along the southern shore of the lake.

There are a few easy-to-spot places that rent bicycles to tourists. You can get normal bicycles, bicycles built for two, and tricycles that can interlock with each other (for families and groups).

See

The lake is known for its 126 islands.

Do

Hiking in the area is popular.

• The most popular courses through the little islands that dot the southern shore start from near Onuma Koen station, and the time-pressed can even opt for a 15-minute circuit. Ask at the tourist office for a map.
• Paddle boats and row boats are available to rent.
• Mt. Komagatake (駒ヶ岳). This volcano dominates the scenery. Climbing is limited to "uma-no-se" (馬ノ背; elevation 900m). Climbing season limited to summer during day times only, usually June to October. See Mori-machi announcements for up-to-date details. (updated Apr 2020)

There are many hot springs scattered around the shores of the lake.

Eat

Although you can buy food from little shops and stalls, you might consider bringing your own food in case you find the local tastes disagreeable.

• 1 Sawade Meat Shop (澤出精肉店), 206 Onuma-cho, Nanae-cho, Kameda-gun, Hokkaido 041-1354 (after 300m along road 338 from Ōnuma-Kōen station on the left side), ☏ +81 138-67-2239. 11:00-17:00, closed on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Serves Jingisukan (ジンギスカン, "Genghis Khan"), a popular Hokkaido dish where a heap of vegetables and mutton meat can be thrown on a table-top grill and eaten with a fantastic dipping sauce. Ask for Udon noodles if you aren't full yet to soak up the delicious sauce left in the skillet. The owner is very friendly and speaks English well. ¥1500-2500. (updated Sep 2023)

Drink

Onuma Beer is a popular local brew sold at most stores in the town.

Sleep

• Higashi-Onuma Yaeijō (東大沼野営所). Wonderful little lakeside campground at the eastern tip of the lake, nearest train station Chōshiguchi. Toilets, running water, communal fireplaces all provided for free and the Yūtopia spa is only a short walk away. Beware of thieving foxes! 

Connect

• Drop by the tourist office in the grandly named Onuma International Exchange Plaza (大沼交際交流プラザ Onuma kokusai kōryū puraza), near JR Onuma Koen, for maps and information (some in English too).

Go next

• Mori
• Hokuto
• Hakodate
• Yakumo
• Shikabe
• Kikonai
• Assabu
• Oshamambe
• Shiriuchi