This ~43km route through Kiyosato town is one section of the 410km Hokkaido East Trail, built around two standout sights: the Ura-Mashu Observation Deck, looking down into the Mashu caldera from its quieter back side, and Kami-no-ko-ike, known locally as the “Child of God Pond” — a spring-fed pond famous for water so clear you can see straight to the bottom.
A note from Bear Safety Hokkaido: unlike the other Hokkaido East Trail sections we’ve covered, this trail’s own materials recommend a bear bell and a radio — not bear spray specifically. That doesn’t mean skip the spray; it means the operator hasn’t published rental or purchase guidance for this particular section, so bring your own (see our buying and rental guides) rather than assume you can pick one up locally.
The basics
- Managed by the Kiyosato Tourism Association, part of the wider Hokkaido East Trail network connecting Shiretoko, Akan-Mashu, and Kushiro Wetland National Parks
- Distance: about 43km, typically walked over 2–3 days
- Difficulty: intermediate — reasonable fitness expected
- Season: late May to late October (the 2026 season opened May 29)
- The Ura-Mashu approach road closes for winter in late October and reopens around early June — the trailhead itself is inaccessible outside the season
One permit detail worth knowing
The section of the route along the Kami-no-ko-ike forest road requires a 入林届 (forest entry notification) before you walk it. This is easy to miss if you’re not reading the Japanese-language trail materials closely — confirm the current process with the Kiyosato Tourism Association before your trip.
What the trail materials say about wildlife
The official guidance is brief: expect changeable weather (bring rain gear and warm layers), and carry a bear bell or radio to help avoid surprising wildlife on the trail. Litter must be packed out. Beyond that, the materials don’t go into bear-specific protocol the way Shiretoko’s or Daisetsuzan’s do — treat the general encounter guidance in our Pillar guide as your baseline here.
If you’d rather not go alone
Local guides from the East Okhotsk Guide Association run two set tours on this route (pricing as listed on the official site, checked Aug 2026):
- Mashu First Observatory to Ura-Mashu Observation Deck — about 6 hours, ¥35,000 for up to 3 people
- Ura-Mashu Observation Deck to Kami-no-ko-ike — about 3 hours, ¥30,000 for up to 3 people
Both run June through October; book through the guides listed on the official trail page.
This article summarizes trail information published by the Kiyosato Tourism Association as of Aug 2026 and is not affiliated with them. Trail access, permit requirements, and season dates can change — confirm directly before your trip.
Related Reading
→ Bear Safety in Hokkaido: Complete Guide for Hikers: https://bearsafetyhokkaido.site/bear-safety-in-hokkaido-complete-guide-for-hikers/ → The Hokkaido East Trail’s Mail-Order Bear Spray and Bear Canister Rental: https://bearsafetyhokkaido.site/the-hokkaido-east-trails-mail-order-bear-spray-and-bear-canister-rental/ → What to Know About Bears Before Hiking the Mashu-Kussharo Trail: https://bearsafetyhokkaido.site/what-to-know-about-bears-before-hiking-the-mashu-kussharo-trail/ → What to Know Before Hiking the Kussharo Caldera Trail (KCT): https://bearsafetyhokkaido.site/what-to-know-before-hiking-the-kussharo-caldera-trail-kct/ → Source: Kiyosato Tourism Association, trail overview (Japanese/English): https://www.kiyosatokankou.com/kiyosato-trail.html
SEO Title: Ura-Mashu & Kami-no-ko-ike Trail: Bear Safety Notes
Meta Description: A 43km Hokkaido East Trail section past the Ura-Mashu caldera view and Kami-no-ko-ike pond — season dates, permits, and what the trail says about wildlife.
Category: Encounter & Field Knowledge Tags: Kiyosato, Ura-Mashu, Kami-no-ko-ike, Hokkaido East Trail, hiking
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