- May 21st, 2014
- Nature
- FamousSpots
- CentralArea
[Lake Toya] Tourist Attractions, Onsen and Fireworks Can Be Enjoyed in 3rd Largest Caldera Lake in Japan
CONTENTS
Lake Toya
Lake Toya (洞爺湖) between Toyako town and Sobetsu town located in the northwestern direction of Muroran city is the 3rd largest caldera lake in Japan after Lake Kussharo and Lake Shikotsu, and was born by large-scale eruptions 110,000 years ago. In Shikotsu-Toya National Park, the perimeter of the lake is about 43 km, and 58 sculptures are located around the lake, and those create scenes in accord with the lake. Geographical features of mountains and the lake have been authorized in the World Geopark. The lake is one of major tourist attractoions in Hokkaido, and a lot of international tourists come. Windsor Hotels Toya Resort & Spa that 34th G8 Summit (Hokkaido Toyako Summit) was held at is famous, too. Around the Lake Toya, there are Toyako Onsen Resort (洞爺湖温泉) that is a sightseeing base, Toya Silo Observation Deck (サイロ展望台), Ukimido Park (浮見堂公園), Toya Onsen (洞爺温泉), Nakatoya Onsen (仲洞爺温泉), Nakatoya Camping Ground (仲洞爺キャンプ場), Green Stay Toyako (グリーンステイ洞爺湖), Takarada Camping Ground (水辺の里財田キャンプ場), Sobetsu-cho Onsen (壮瞥町温泉), Mt. Showa-shinzan (昭和新山) and Mt. Usu (有珠山).
Movie of Lake Toya
Toya means “Lakeshore” in Ainu langage. The nearly octangle lake has a floating island “Nakashima (中島)” in the center of the lake, and the Mt. Usu and the Mt. Showa-shinzan are around the lake. Here is the tourists attraction with a magnificent view to see Mt. Yotei, too. Japanese movie “A drop of the grapevine (ぶどうのなみだ)” and Anime “Sora-no-Method (天体のメソッド)” uses here as a motif. In addition, a lot of anime fans visit Toyako Echigoya (洞爺湖越後屋) to buy Lake Toya Wooden Sword (洞爺湖木刀) appeared in Anime “Gintama (銀魂)”. Various activities such as Horse Trekking, Canoe, Birdwatching Tour and Handmade Soft Serve Ice Cream Experience can be enjoyed, too.
Movie of Sora-no-Method
Toyako Onsen has a lot of events, and Toya lake Long-run Fireworks Display (洞爺湖ロングラン花火大会) is as the representatives of the events, and is held from late April to late October, so visitors can enjoy the fireworks everyday. In addition, Toyako Onsen Winter Festival (洞爺湖温泉冬まつり) is held in early February, Toyako Marathon is held in mid May, Toyako Anime and Manga Festival (TOYAKOマンガ・アニメフェスタ) is held in late June, ARK Rally Toya (ARKラリー洞爺) is held from late June to early July, Toyako Onsen Summer Festival (洞爺湖温泉夏まつり) is held from late july to mid August, Toyako Onsen Illumination Street (洞爺湖温泉イルミネーショントンネル) is held from early November to early March. Especially, the Toyako Anime and Manga Festival is an unusual event in Hokkaido. About 60000 visitors come, and can enjoy the coterie and costume play.
There are about 6 free parking lots, so I think that visitors have no trouble with the parking lots.
Shikotsu-Toya National Park
Shikotsu-Toya National Park (支笏洞爺国立公園) has Lake Shikotsu (支笏湖), the 2nd largest caldera lake in Japan, and Lake Toya (洞爺湖), the 3rd largest caldera lake in the Japan, in the southwestern part of Hokkaido. In the national park, there are unique mountains such as Mt. Usu (有珠山), Mt. Tarumae (樽前山) and Mt. Showa-shinzan (昭和新山), and here is a tourist attraction on behalf of Hokkaido containing Noboribetsu Onsen (登別温泉) and Jozankei Onsen (定山渓温泉) in the 3 major onsen in the Hokkaido. Because it is easy to access the tourist attracions from New Chitose Airport and Sapporo city, the Shikotsu-Toya National Park gets popularity from tourists. The Shikotsu-Toya National Park is roughly divided into 5 areas, Yoteizan Area, Toyako Area, Noboribetsu Area, Shikotsuko Area and Jozankei Area. The area is 99,473 ha in total, it is very vast. It blows my mind why it adds the Yoteizan Area and the Jozankei Area, but I googled it, but I could not find. Read More
List of Lake Toya Tourist Attractions
There are the Toya Silo Observation Deck, the Ukimido Park, the Nakatoya Camping Ground, the Green Stay Toyako, the Takarada Camping Ground, the Mt. Showa-shinzan and the Mt. Usu. My visited places are as follows.
Toyako Onsen Resort
Toyako Onsen Resort is one of Hokkaido’s major onsen resorts in the south side of the Lake Toya, and 3 million tourists come every year. Here is a sightseeing base for the Lake Toya, and a boarding point, accommodations, handbaths, footbaths, restaurants, souvenir shops, convenience stores and parking lots are built. The parking lots are free of charge.
Toyako Onsen Guide Map
Most facilities such as Toyako Visitor Center Volcano Science Museum (洞爺湖ビジターセンター・火山科学館), Konpira Crater Lookout (金比羅火口展望台), Nishiyama Sanroku Kako Walking Path (西山火口散策路) and Fountain Plaza (復興噴水広場) are related to volcano. Only Hokkaido Toyako Summit Memorial Museum (北海道洞爺湖サミット記念館) is not related to the volcano. A Lake Toya speciality manju Wakasaimo (わかさいも) and Ippontei (一本亭) that got the Bib Gourmand in MICHELIN GUIDE Hokkaido 2012 Special Edition are famous, too.
Atmosphere of Lake Toya Can Be Watched on Youtube
Movie of Lake Toya
| Admission fee | Free of charge |
|---|---|
| Parking lot | Free parking is provided (150 Cars) |
| Business hours | Open 24 hours |
| Regular closing day | Open all year round |
| Telephone number | +81-142-75-2446 |
| Home page | Home page is here |
| Mapcode | 321 518 425*36 |
Toya Silo Observation Deck
Toya Silo Observation Deck (サイロ展望台) is along National Route 230 in the northwest side of the Lake Toya, and is popular tourist aattraction with nice views on a hill at about 300 m above sea level. A conbination of the blue Lake Toya and the Mt. Usu is very good. There are an observatory deck, a restaurant, a souvenir shop, a restroom and a parking lot on the site. A view from the restaurant has a good reputation, too. Here is a heliport, too, and the tourists can board a helicopter to look at the Lake Toya from the sky. From mid July to mid September, the tourists can enjoy aerial swimming for 3 minutes. Of course it is charged a fee. Admission free. A parking lot is free of charge.
Atmosphere of Helicopter Trip Can Be Watched on Youtube
Movie of Helicopter Trip
| Admission fee | Free of charge |
|---|---|
| Parking lot | Free parking is provided (60 Cars) |
| Business hours | 09:00-17:00 |
| Regular closing day | Irregular closing day |
| Telephone number | +81-142-87-2221 |
| Home page | Home page is here |
| Mapcode | 321 754 292*37 |
Mt. Usu
Mt. Usu (有珠山) is an active volcano with 733 m in height between Date city, Toyako town and Sobetsu town in the south side of Lake Toya (洞爺湖), and has been double volcano with Ousu Lava Dome (大有珠), Kousu Lava Dome (小有珠), Mt. Ogari (オガリ山) and Mt. Usushinzan (有珠新山) since 20,000 years ago, and erupted 4 times within 100 years ago, so it is one of very active volcanos in the world, too. In Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Geographical features with the Lake Toya and Mt. Showa-shinzan have been authorized in the World Geopark. It can be said that the Mt. Usu is one of main actors in Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano Global Geopark (洞爺湖有珠山ジオパーク). A ropeway is the most popular way to go up the mountain, but visitors can hike it, too. Admission free. A parking lot is charged for JPY 500. But It is free of charge form December to March. Read More
Mt. Showa-shinzan
Mt. Showa-shinzan (昭和新山) is a volcanic lava dome with about 400 m in height in Sobetsu town located in the south side of the Lake Toya. The new volcanic lava dome has raised or erupted since 1944. In Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Geographical features with the Lake Toya and Mt. Usu have been authorized in the World Geopark. It can be said that the Mt. Usu is one of main actors in Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano Global Geopark (洞爺湖有珠山ジオパーク). It is nearby the Mt. Usu. Tourist facilities such as Showa-shinzan Bear Ranch (クマ牧場), Showa-shinzan Glass Museum (ガラス館), Masao Mimatsu Memorial Hall (三松正夫記念館) and souvenir shops are built near a ropeway station, and the visitors can rise their tourist mood. Admission free. A parking lot is charged for JPY 500. But It is free of charge form December to March. Read More
Ukimido Park
Ukimido Park (浮見堂公園) is a park in the north side of the Lake Toya, and is adjacent to Akebono Park (曙公園) that a camping is available along Hokkaido Road 578. There is a two‐storied pagoda dedicated to Prince Shotoku (聖徳太子) called Ukimido. The Ukimido is lit up in the evening, too. Except it, a gazebo, a public restroom and a parking lot are built on the site. A garden with ponds and a small bridge is built on the lakeshore. Beautiful cherry blossoms bloom in a spring, too. Admission free. A parking lot is free of charge.
| Admission fee | Free of charge |
|---|---|
| Parking lot | Free parking is provided (60 Cars) |
| Business hours | Open 24 hours |
| Regular closing day | Open all year round |
| Telephone number | +81-142-82-5111 |
| Home page | Home page is not provided |
| Mapcode | 321 789 343*22 |
Tsukiura Lookout
Tsukiura Lookout (月浦展望台) is a viewing point at about 210 m above sea level in the west side of the Lake Toya, and is one of 8th beauty viewing spots around the lake. It takes about 3 minutes from a parking lot to the lookout on foot. The Nakajima Island floats on the surface of the lake before eyes, and the Mt. Usu and the Mt. Yotei can be seen. A few visitors come here, so they can savor beautiful views without being crowded. Except some benches and the lookout, there is not facility. A road is closed to traffic in a winter. You had better bring an insect repellent because a lot of gnats or horseflies try to bite your skin in a summer. Admission free. A parking lot is free of charge.
Atmosphere of Tsukiura Lookout Can Be Watched on Youtube
Movie of Tsukiura Lookout
| Admission fee | Free of charge |
|---|---|
| Parking lot | Free parking is provided (20 Cars) |
| Business hours | Open 24 hours |
| Regular closing day | Winter season |
| Telephone number | +81-11-709-2311 |
| Home page | Home page is here |
| Mapcode | 321 605 218*45 |
Takarada Camping Ground
Takarada Camping Ground (財田キャンプ場) is an auto camping site in the north side of the Lake Toya. There is a center house on the camping site, and a restroom, a shop, a laundry, a shower facility are built there. Except camping ground facilities, there are Exercise Open Space, Event Open Space and Natural Experience-based House (自然体験ハウス). Admission fee is charged. A parking lot is free of charge.
| Admission fee | Adult: JPY 500-1000. Child: JPY 200-500. |
|---|---|
| Parking lot | Free parking is provided (100 Cars) |
| Regular closing day | Open 24 hours |
| Regular closing day | Winter season |
| Telephone number | +81-142-82-5777 |
| Home page | Home page is here |
| Mapcode | 321 792 598*14 |
Nakatoya Camping Ground
Nakatoya Camping Ground (仲洞爺キャンプ場) is in the east side of the Lake Toya, and is one of 8th beauty viewing spots around the lake. Mt. Showa-shinzan, Mt. Usu and Lake Toya can be seen at the same time. A hot spring facility named “Kimundo-no-Ie (来夢人の家)” and a camping ground are contiguous. Admission fee is charged. There is a toll parking.
| Admission fee | Adult: JPY 500-700. Child: JPY 200-400. |
|---|---|
| Parking lot | Pay parking lot is provided (100 Cars) |
| Regular closing day | Open 24 hours |
| Regular closing day | From October to late April |
| Telephone number | +81-142-66-3131 |
| Home page | Home page is here |
| Mapcode | 321 710 163*70 |
Toya Mizunoeki
Toya Mizunoeki (洞爺水の駅) is a sightseeing facility in the north side of the Lake Toya. There are a sightseeing tourist office, a souvenir shop, a farmer’s market and a restraunt at a building. A popular bakery “Ramuyato (ラムヤート)” is nearby here, too. In addition, there are a huge poplar tree and a wooden pier on the lakeside, and it is famous for seeig a nice scenery. It looks large the Nakajima Island from here. Admission free. A parking lot is free of charge.
| Admission fee | Free of charge |
|---|---|
| Parking lot | Free parking is provided (70 Cars) |
| Business hours | 09:00-18:00 * It changes depending on seasons |
| Regular closing day | From April to October: No closing day. From November to March: Monday, Year-end and New Year holidays |
| Telephone number | +81-142-89-3108 |
| Home page | Home page is here |
| Mapcode | 321 820 310*76 |
List of Onsen around Lake Toya
Around the Lake Toya has rich volcanic origins. There are 4 hot spring places, the Toyako Onsen, the Toya Onsen, the Sobetsu-cho Onsen, the Nakatoya Onsen. My visited onsen are as follows.
Toyako Onsen
Toyako Onsen (洞爺湖温泉) is a large hot-spring resort located in the south side of Lake Toya (洞爺湖) between Toya town and Sobetsu town, and is one of the 5 major hot spring resorts in Hokkaido together with Jozankei Onsen (定山渓温泉), Yunokawa Onsen (湯の川温泉), Sounkyo Onsen (層雲峡温泉) and Noboribetsu Onsen (登別温泉), and 3 million tourists come every year. The Toyako Onsen is a base for sightseeing of the Lake Toya, and there are 15 accommodations, handbaths, footbaths, restaurants, souvenir shops, convenience stores, Funsui-hiroba Fountain (噴水広場公園), Toyako Visitor Center Volcano Science Museum (洞爺湖ビジターセンター火山科学館), a ferry port in the hot-spring resort, and there are Mt. Usu (有珠山), Mt. Showashinzan (昭和新山), Nishiyama Sanroku Kako Walking Path (西山火口散策路) and Konpira Crater Lookout (金比羅火口展望台) around the lake. A Lake Toya speciality manju Wakasaimo (わかさいも) and Ippontei (一本亭) that got the Bib Gourmand in MICHELIN GUIDE Hokkaido 2012 Special Edition are famous, too. Read More
Toya Onsen
Toya Onsen (洞爺温泉) is a hot spring place in the north side of Lake Toya (洞爺湖). Toya Ikoi-no-Ie (洞爺憩いの家) is built on a hill at around 110 m above sea level, and is beside old Hotel Toya Sunshine. Ukimido Park (浮見堂公園) that is one of 8 beauty spots around the Lake Toya and Akebono Park (曙公園) are around here, and those are well-known as a place famous for cherry blossoms. In addition, Toya Water Station (とうや水の駅), Silo Viewing Platform (サイロ展望台) and Takarada Campground (財田キャンプ場) are relatively near here. Read More
Sobetsu-Cho Onsen
Sobetsu-cho Onsen (壮瞥町温泉) is a hot spring place in the south side of Lake Toya (洞爺湖), and is divided into 2 parts. Onsen Ryokan Ikoi-so (温泉旅館 いこい荘), Kohan-no-Yado Toya-Kawanami (湖畔の宿洞爺かわなみ), Hotel Nakanoshima (ホテル中の島) are built on the shore of the Lake Toya along Hokkaido Road 2, and Yuai-no-Ie (ゆーあいの家) is built around the center of Sobetsu. There is a boat dock near the Kohan-no-Yado Toya-Kawanami, and there are Yokozuna Kitanoumi Memorial Hall (横綱北の湖記念館) and a park golf course near the Yuai-no-Ie. Both places are near restaurants and a convenience store. Lake Toya (洞爺湖), Toyako Onsen Resort (洞爺湖温泉街), Mt. Usu (有珠山) and Mt. Showashinzan (昭和新山) are relatively near here, too. Read More
Nakatoya Onsen
Nakatoya Onsen (仲洞爺温泉) is a hot spring place in the east side of Lake Toya (洞爺湖). Kimundo-no-Ie (キムンドの家) that is a management office is built along Hokkaido Road 132, and is adjacent to Nakatoya Camping Ground (仲洞爺キャンプ場), and is popular with campers to take a bath. The Kimundo means “a lake in a mountain” in Ainu language. A view from the Nakatoya Camping Ground is one of 8 beauty spots around the Lake Toya. Unfortunately, restraunts, cafes, souvenir shops and convenience stores are not built. Toyako Onsen Resort (洞爺湖温泉街), Mt. Usu (有珠山) and Mt. Showashinzan (昭和新山) are relatively near here, too. Read More
List of Tasty Foods
The Windsor Hotels Toya Resort & Spa, a representative high class hoel of Hokkaido, is built near the Lake Toya. At the Windsor Hotels Toya Resort & Spa, Michel Bras TOYA Japon, Gilligan’s Island, Toujisanka (杜氏賛歌), Shoan Kogetsu (祥庵 こげ津), Out of Africa and so forth have a good reputation. Except restaurants at the Windsor Hotels Toya Resort & Spa, Lake Hill Farm (レークヒル・ファーム), La Locanda Del Pittore Toya, Ramuyato (ラムヤート), Wakasaimo Honpo (わかさいも本舗), and Phoenix Toya Club (フェニックス洞爺クラブ) are popular in particular. My visited restaurants and confectionery stores are as follows.
Ippontei
Ippontei (一本亭) is a popular ramen restraunt in Toyako Onsen Resort located in the south side of Lake Toya and is famous for getting the Bib Gourmand in MICHELIN GUIDE Hokkaido 2012 Special Edition. The ramen restraunt has an atomosphere such as a sushi restaurant, and there are some tables and family customers seem to enojoy. Local people love this ramen restraunt, and there were 4 groups of local people when I visited here around 13:00 on weekdays. Read More
La Locanda Del Pittore Toya
La Locanda Del Pittore is a popular Italian restaurant on a small hill around Lake Toya, and is sisters restraunt of the famous Italian restaurant “PIZZERIA La locanda del pittore” in Niigata. There is a building on the foot of The Windsor Hotels Toya Resort & Spa, and The Windsor Hotels Toya Resort & Spa cooperated with PIZZERIA La locanda del pittore in 2003, and they started a business. There are a gondola lift station for The Windsor Hotels Toya Resort & Spa and Lake Toya Ranch that visitors can get on horses near the building. Read More
Lake Hill Farm
Lake Hill Farm (レークヒル・ファーム) is a ranch at a small hill in the west side of Lake Toya (洞爺湖), and is near Silo observatory (サイロ展望台). They have begun to run the ranch since 1969 here. A gelato shop, a restraunt and a souvenir shop are built on the ranch, and there are beautiful flower gardens and a grass garden around the buildings. There are a goat and rabbits, too. They lend sports equipments for free, so anyone can enjoy. It is one of popular reason that visitors can enjoy a grand view with Mt. Yotei (羊蹄山), too. Read More
Wakasaimo
Wakasaimo (わかさいも) that everybody knows in Hokkaido is a Japanese cake like taro, and has been sold since 1930 at Wakasaimo Honpo (わかさいもほんぽ). As a souvenir of Toyako Onsen, it has been standard souvenir from old days. An origin is said to be Wakasayaimo of Wakasaya-Shinise (若狭屋老舗) in Suttu town. Both seems to be same whole families. I thought that Toyako Onsen was a birthplace. It is Lake Toya Head office that I have been regarding as the birthplace for many years. Read More
List of Accommodations
Refer to following websites for the accommodations around the Lake Toya. You can get information regarding online reviews and photos.
Toyako Onsen
Sobetsu-cho Onsen
Nakatoya Onsen
Toyako
A page of Shikotsu-Toya National Park is here
Shikotsu-Toya National Park
By the way, Club Tourism (クラブツーリズム), a Japanese tour travel agency, provides various types of tours such as day trip tours or ordinary tours. In the case of bus tours, tourists do not drive their cars themselves, so they can savor alcohol. Choosen tourist attractions are national parks such as Rishiri and Rebun, Shiretoko, and popular tourist places such as Furano and Biei, and some activities such as hiking and fruit picking are also enjoyed depending on seasons. If you are interested in tour trips, you should visit the club tourism's website for details.
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