Lake Notoro

Shallow saltwater lagoon connected to the Sea of Okhotsk, on the outskirts of Abashiri in eastern Hokkaido. The lake's shallow margins are carpeted with coral grass, a low plant that stays green through summer and turns deep crimson in mid-September as temperatures drop. Viewed from the small observation hill near the lake's edge, the red extends to the water line with the blue of the lagoon behind it. Whooper swans use the lake as a seasonal resting point during migration, and flocks are visible in autumn. Access by car from Abashiri takes about 15 minutes, and there is no entrance fee.