支笏湖 / Lake Shikotsu

支笏湖（位於千歲市）是由古代火山活動所形成的火口湖，是日本第二深的火口湖。平均水深為265公尺，透明度很高。因為位於距離札幌只要開車約一小時的地點，也是從札幌出發的一日遊熱門觀光景點。湖泊名字的由來是由阿伊努語的「很大的窪地」。也有可以學習到支笏湖周遭自然環境的遊客中心（免費入場）。

Lake Shikotsu (Chitose City) was created by ancient volcanic activity, with this crater lake being the second deepest in Japan. The average depth of the lake is 265 meters and the water is renowned for its transparency. As Lake Shikotsu is not so far from Sapporo, it is a good destination for a one-day trip for people living in Sapporo. It takes only about an hour by car. The name Shikotsu is derived from the Ainu (aboriginal people of Hokkaido) language for "a big crater". There is a free visitor center where people can learn about the lake's environment, animals and plants.