Lake Kussharo, located in the Doto area of eastern Hokkaido, is a popular destination for tourists who come to witness its seasonal beauty, with one of Hokkaido's leading hot spring resorts lining its shores. In winter, the lake is known for completely freezing over, and a recent photo capturing this wintery scene has become a hot topic on social media.

The photo shows the frozen Lake Kussharo with Mount Mokoto towering in the background. And there, a lone fox stands on the lake's surface. It's a breathtaking shot that highlights the contrast between the simple presence of the fox and the grandeur of the lake and mountains. We had the opportunity to speak with the photographer, "Mashuko no Ice" (@mashukoice), who captured this beautiful moment.

The Struggles Behind the Shot

――Please tell us about the moment you took this photo.

I was driving towards Lake Kussharo for work. I have to go to the Lake Kussharo area several times a month, and I had been taking pictures of the scenery and swans on those occasions.

――How did you spot the fox?

I was driving when I happened to see the fox walking on the lake's surface. I quickly pulled over to a safe spot and headed out to take the picture, but I kept sinking knee-deep in the snow on my way to the shore, and my shoes were filled with snow and slush. Still, it was such a rare sight that I pushed on and managed to get there.

――That sounds like quite an ordeal…

Yes, it was. At first, I was trying to get a close-up of the fox, but it must have sensed me approaching. By the time I reached the shore, it had already fled quite far out onto the lake... and it just kept getting farther away. So, I gave up on the close-up and switched to a composition that incorporated the landscape, hoping the fox would move into a spot with a good background. Then, the fox headed towards the mountain you see in the picture, and I was able to get this shot. I think I was very lucky.

――It's a truly wonderful photo! Lastly, for the reference of other photographers, could you tell us what camera you used?

I use a Nikon Z8. I used a 300mm lens for this shot, but even with that, the fox was a bit far, so I had to crop the image slightly. I don't think I could have taken a photo like this if I only had my smartphone.

Scenes of Lake Kussharo captured by "Mashuko no Ice"

The Akan-Kussharo Area: Where Majestic Nature and Wildlife Meet

While seeing a fox walking on the lake is very rare, "Mashuko no Ice" says that seeing them on land is quite common, and Ezo deer also make appearances. (Please remember not to touch wild foxes, and be careful of wildlife, like Ezo deer, darting onto the road when driving.)

The Akan-Kussharo area is full of the charm of Hokkaido's magnificent nature and wildlife. Why not pay a visit?