Lake Onneto
Lake Onneto is a small, picturesque lake at the foot of Mt. Meakan, in the westernmost region of Akan-Mashu National Park. Its beauty and isolation attract many visitors. Lake Onneto is known as the "Lake of Five Colors." Depending on the weather conditions and time of day, the water appears to change in color from light blue through shades of green to dark blue.
On the road that winds along the western shore of Lake Onneto, there is a wooden observation deck with unobstructed views of the water. From here, you can also see Mt. Meakan and Mt. Akanfuji in the background. There are four easy walking paths that start at the lake, with varying scenery and animal and plant life.
Down the road from the observation deck parking lot is Onneto Campground. The campground is a good base for the challenging hike up Mt. Meakan. It is open from June to October, when the road is accessible, and is equipped with a restroom and field kitchen.
Please be aware that in order to protect the lake's ecological environment, canoeing, swimming, and other water sports are not allowed.
Walking Trails of Lake Onneto
Discover the natural beauty of Lake Onneto and surrounding areas on four scenic walking trails.
Onneto Lookout Trail
Take the Onneto Lookout Trail on the western side of the lake for views with mountain backdrops. This trail winds through a rugged forest up to a lookout point at an elevation of 800 meters. From this vantage point, you can view Lake Onneto, Mt. Meakan, and Mt. Akanfuji. The 2.2-kilometer trail starts across the road from the Lake Onneto Observation Deck parking lot and ends a short distance from Lake Onneto Campground.
Onneto East Bank Trail
The Onneto East Bank Trail (1.9 km, 40 mins.) hugs the eastern shore of Lake Onneto. This trail offers views of the lake and surrounding forest, which is verdant in summer and beautifully colored in fall. A particularly picturesque sight is the spot on the northern end of the trail where the rust-colored waters from Nishiki Pond flow into Lake Onneto. In May, Asian skunk cabbages with lily-like flowers bloom here. This 1.9-kilometer stretch of trail along the lake takes about 40 minutes to complete.
Onneto Yunotaki Falls Trail
Onneto Yunotaki Falls is a hot-spring waterfall south of Lake Onneto. It is designated a Natural Monument of Japan and one of a few places in the world where manganese ore is found above ground.
A 1.4-km forest road starting from the Onneto Campground parking lot leads toward the falls. The one-way trip takes about 40 minutes. Along the way, you may encounter wild birds, Eurasian red squirrels, Japanese deer, and, Siberian flying squirrels.
Meakan Onsen Trail
The wooded trail between Meakan Onsen and Lake Onneto passes through a diverse forested area. The upper half of the trail, near Meakan Onsen, runs through a large area of Sakhalin spruce trees, while the lower half of the trail leads through a mixed forest of conifers and broad-leaved trees. This 2.4-kilometer trail merges with the Lake Onneto East Bank Trail at Lake Onneto, and takes about 50 minutes to complete.
Related organizations
Akan Mashu National Park Wide Area Tourism Council（http://www.akan-mashu-nationalpark.asia）
Project to Fully Enjoy National Parks（http://www.env.go.jp/nature/mankitsu-project/）
This English-language text was created by the Japan Tourism Agency.