No reason to rush today as we didn’t have a long drive ahead and we, as usual, had an early start because breakfast is always served early. The sun was out and it was a chilly 10 degrees when we left the guesthouse at 8:30.
We first drove 15 minutes up the mountain to Bihoro pass where we had a 360 degrees panoramic view of the area. We then drove back the same way to a viewpoint overlooking Lake Mashu.
On the other side of the main road is Mount Lozan, a geothermic area with steaming yellow sulfur vents. There was, of course, a strong smell of rotten eggs.
Less than 10 Km away as the crow flies, but a 40 minute drive, the last 3 Km unpaved and very narrow, we visited Kaminoto pond. Fallen trees are submerged in the water here for many years but have not rotted away which makes people think the water is sacred.
The final stop Uramashu Observation deck, a viewpoint on the opposite site of Lake Mashu. From here it was a 1.5 hour drive to the hotel in Kushiro.
After settling in we went for an early dinner in order to be ready to see the sunset near and on the bridge near our hotel.