Hangetsu Lake

Hangetsu Lake (半月湖), meaning "Half Moon Lake" in Japanese, is a volcanic crater lake located at the western base of Mount Yotei — often called Ezo Fuji for its resemblance to Mount Fuji — in the Niseko area of Hokkaido, Japan. The lake was formed approximately 10,000 years ago when water collected in the crater of Mount Yotei, and its name comes directly from its distinctive crescent shape when viewed from above. It sits within Shikotsu-Toya National Park, one of Japan's most celebrated protected natural areas.

The lake is surrounded by dense virgin forest containing species such as Yezo spruce, Sakhalin fir, painted maple, and mountain birch, and the area supports a rich diversity of wildlife including Japanese green pigeons, Hokkaido squirrels, and Ezo red foxes. The forest and volcanic landscape give the site a raw, undisturbed character that distinguishes it from more heavily developed tourist spots in the region.

The main walking trail is a loop covering approximately 1.9 miles (3 km) with an elevation gain of 393 feet, taking most visitors between 1 and 1.5 hours to complete. The trail is rated easy and is well-suited to families and first-time hikers. At the bench along the trail, taking the right-hand path leads directly to the lakeshore with the best views, while the left-hand path offers a pleasant forest walk with no significant lake vistas. In winter, the trail transforms and the frozen lake becomes a destination for snowshoeing, though guided tours are strongly recommended for this season.

Visitors can reach Hangetsu Lake by taking a bus from Sapporo Station to Niseko, a journey of approximately 2 hours, followed by a taxi to the lake. By car, the lake is roughly a 20-minute drive from Niseko town, via Route 343 to National Route 5. Lake Hangetsu Nature Park provides free parking and free restroom facilities on site, and there is no admission fee to visit the lake or walk the trail.