Inaccessible and dangerous, Lake Mashu still attracts visitors, both domestically and internationally, with its divine view. (Image via Afar)

Dubbed as Lake of the Gods, take a stroll around Lake Mashu in Japan

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Social & Life
Travel
Oct 02, 2019
1934
Looking for a serene destination in Japan, away from the hustle-bustle of the metropolitan? Why don’t you try Lake Mashu?

Is it the first time for you to know about the lake? Born about 2,000 years ago due to the volcano eruption, Lake Mashu is one of the clearest lakes in the world, beaten only by Lake Baikal in Siberia. You can look through the depths of the waters until 20 to 30m deep.

Mashu-ko, or Lake Mashu, lies within the Akan-Mashu National Park in Hokkaido Island, Northern Japan. Not only clearest but also the lake is the deepest in Japan, with 212m depths.

However, due to the dense fog that comes for 100 days annually and the towering 200m crater walls, the Japanese government did not allow any visitor to come near. This might be a good reason to preserve the lake's beauty and the ancient features of the lake.

Because the visitors are not allowed to come near the lake, there are only two options: to visit three observation towers or to hike the trails. All these options lead to the clear waters of Lake Mashu.

For the indigenous Japanese people, Ainu, Lake Mashu is considered sacred, referring to it as Kamuito or the “Lake of the Gods”. While bearing the divine title, visiting Lake Mashu means hailing bad luck. According to the local superstition, it is said that those who can only see the waters beneath the mist will either break up with their partners, not be able to marry until old age, or not be able to advance in their careers. But once more, it is just superstition.

Regardless of these superstitions, the view of Lake Mashu is something you should see if you are tired of seeing cars, buildings, and smog.

Source: https://bbc.in/2osvHIb

Travel , Life , Refreshment , Entertainment , Serenity , Asia , Japan , Hokkaido , Lake-Mashu