Lake Sunset — Hotel in Nemuro

We had our most memorable time at Lake Sunset during our trip to Hokkaido in October, 2014. We found their web site www.lakesunset.jp while we were preparing our trip to Japan, and contacted Mr Kawamura, who was the manager of the lodge, the master chef, a professional photographer and an excellent tour guide, by phone. On the morning of October 10, we took the first express train from Sapporo to Kushiro and then transferred to a rapid train to Nemuro. ||||We were somewhat disappointed at the Nemuro station as we could not find Mr Kawamura waiting for us, although we called him on the train to Nemuro. We later found that he had been busy serving his lunch-time customers at his restaurant at the Lake Sunset Lodge. He came to pick us up still with his apron on! ||||We had one of the best ramen lunches at his restaurant. Before taking us to the great birdwatchers' boardwalk at Lake Furenko, Mr Kawamura pointed us to a couple of Tancho cranes at a far shore of the Lake. At this time we did no know, we would meet them up-close again later!||||We had a relaxing afternoon walk along the boardwalk and was returning to the Lodge when the sun was about to set. Then we found Mr Kawamura waving his hands from a distance seeming to ask us to hurry up. When we came closer to him, he said, "Don't go back to your cottage. Come into the restaurant quick, and you will see Tancho canes!!!". We held us breath and sneaked into his restaurant. There we saw two beatiful Tancho cranes enjoying the master chef's special evening meal right outside the restaurant window! They were the same cranes that we had seen after our lunch.||||We kept taking pictures of the cranes for a while until they bade good-bye and flew away into the darking autumn sky of the Lake Furenko. It was an unexpected close encounter with the famous birds! ||||We had three meals and each family had our own separate cottage. The cost for each family was about 16,000 yen including a couple of hours' Nemuro tour. If you are not familiar with the local language, it may be difficult to make a booking as the staff at the Lake Sunset spoke only Japanese when we visited them. But if you can make it there, I am sure that you will definitely have a memorable Nemuro experience. Who know? You may even be able to enjoy an opportunity for a close audience with the Tancho...

We had our most memorable time at Lake Sunset during our trip to Hokkaido in October, 2014. We found their web site www.lakesunset.jp while we were preparing our trip to Japan, and contacted Mr Kawamura, who was the manager of the lodge, the master chef, a professional photographer and an excellent tour guide, by phone. On the morning of October 10, we took the first express train from Sapporo to Kushiro and then transferred to a rapid train to Nemuro. ||||We were somewhat disappointed at the Nemuro station as we could not find Mr Kawamura waiting for us, although we called him on the train to Nemuro. We later found that he had been busy serving his lunch-time customers at his restaurant at the Lake Sunset Lodge. He came to pick us up still with his apron on! ||||We had one of the best ramen lunches at his restaurant. Before taking us to the great birdwatchers' boardwalk at Lake Furenko, Mr Kawamura pointed us to a couple of Tancho cranes at a far shore of the Lake. At this time we did no know, we would meet them up-close again later!||||We had a relaxing afternoon walk along the boardwalk and was returning to the Lodge when the sun was about to set. Then we found Mr Kawamura waving his hands from a distance seeming to ask us to hurry up. When we came closer to him, he said, "Don't go back to your cottage. Come into the restaurant quick, and you will see Tancho canes!!!". We held us breath and sneaked into his restaurant. There we saw two beatiful Tancho cranes enjoying the master chef's special evening meal right outside the restaurant window! They were the same cranes that we had seen after our lunch.||||We kept taking pictures of the cranes for a while until they bade good-bye and flew away into the darking autumn sky of the Lake Furenko. It was an unexpected close encounter with the famous birds! ||||We had three meals and each family had our own separate cottage. The cost for each family was about 16,000 yen including a couple of hours' Nemuro tour. If you are not familiar with the local language, it may be difficult to make a booking as the staff at the Lake Sunset spoke only Japanese when we visited them. But if you can make it there, I am sure that you will definitely have a memorable Nemuro experience. Who know? You may even be able to enjoy an opportunity for a close audience with the Tancho...

Stayed for 2 nights as we wanted to visit the area. This is also a wildlife photographer backyard with a lake facing some cabins (unit 6,7,8,9,10).||Manage to see the Japanese red crown crane in summer with a young one. In winter, this is the place to photograph the sea eagle.||Overall, no English spoken but somehow with google translate n hand gesture you can survive in this remote region.||This is a very basic cabin set in a rustic feel. These cabins are not handicap friendly as there are steps. That’s should be your expectations. ||Quick check in, and had a cabin (#6), with parking lot beside it. The cabin had a attached bath and toilet (with basic toiletries n towels). The cabin was spacious for the 2 of us with 2 single beds, heater n aircon. There was a small kitchen with a cooking stove, microwave oven n decent size fridge. But there are no cooking utensils or kitchen utensils. Only a kettle. ||Tip: If you planning to stay here for long, visit the supermarket (Marche de Kitchen near Nemuro Station), you can stock up on everything and cook or BBQ (there are BBQ pits for free usage). Supemarket food prices seem more reasonable here than in Sapporo. ||Alternatively the lodge provides drinks and meals you can purchase. Prices are reasonable for a meal between 1000y- 1500y. Just bear in mind, the restaurant last order is 6.30pm (closes very early) and breakfast is 7am. ||The cabin is a bed, breakfast n dinner plan. See photo for sample dinner. ||Tip: The lodge is about 13km from town center (Nemuro station). If you planning to take the train. It takes about 2hrs from Kushiro to Nemuro and there is only one departure per day (if I understand the train master correctly).||Tip: Nemuro is a quite a decent size town with petrol kiosks, restaurants, convenience shops etc. Seems larger than Shari or Rausu. ||Tip: the sunset is very beautiful with the lake background but when we were here it was cloudy. No photo opps. ||Overall will plan to return in winter for the...