Lake Shikaribetsu is the only natural lake in Daisetsuzan National Park, and is the highest in Hokkaido at 810m above sea level, with a maximum depth of about 100m. The lake is surrounded by virgin forest (Japanese safflower, Yezo spruce, and Erman's birch), conveying the ancient nature to the present day.

The lake is a dammed lake formed by a river being dammed up during an eruption about 30,000 years ago, and has a circumference of about 13km. Nine bays are formed along the complex shoreline, and Benten Island floats on the north side of the lake. Mount Tenbo, located to the east of the lake, is called Kuchibiruyama (Lip Mountain) because of its shape and the shape of its shadow reflected on the lake's surface, and is the symbol of Lake Shikaribetsu.

The surrounding area is home to precious wildlife such as the living fossil "pika," which is said to have lived since the Ice Age, as well as ospreys, white-tailed eagles, black woodpeckers, and grey herons.