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[Mt. Usu around Lake Toya] Active Volcano Is Easy to Be Gone up by Ropeway

September 14th, 2017

CONTENTS

Mt. Usu
Mt. Usu Trip
Accommodations
- Lake Toya
- Date

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.
Mt. Usu Hiking Guide Map in Japanese

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. In addition, Mt. Showa-shinzan (昭和新山) is nearby the ropeway station.

Mt. Usu, Shikotsu-Toya National Park — Showa-shinzan Glass Museum

Lake Toya

Lake Toya (洞爺湖) between Toyako town and Sobetsu town located in the northwestern part 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). Article is here

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 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. Article is here

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. Article is here

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. Article is here

Mt. Usu Trip

Tourists can go up to around the summit by the ropeway carried by Wakasa Resort, a subsidiary company of Wakasaimo Honpo (わかさいも本舗). It takes about 6 minutes. A round ticket is JPY 1500 for adult and JPY 750 for child. HIS issues a coupon ticket, and the Wakasa Resort make a discount of 10% off the fare if the visitors bring printed the coupon ticket. The Mt. Showa-shinzan and the Lake Toya can be seen from the ropeway.

There are Toyako Viewing Platform (洞爺湖展望台) and Usuzan-Kakogen Viewing Platoform (有珠山火口原展望台) around Usu-sancho Station (有珠山頂駅), the Mt. Usu, the Lake Toya, the Mt. Showa-shinzan and Pacific Ocean can be looked over. The Toyako Viewing Platform and the Usuzan-Kakogen Viewing Platoform are easy to reach on foot relatively. At the Usu-sancho Station, there are a souvenir shop and a movie corner about the Mt. Usu.

It takes about 3 minutes from the Usu-sancho Station to the Toyako Viewing Platform on foot. Although it is very close to the Usu-sancho Station, amazing views of the Lake Toya and the Mt. Showa-shinzan can be enjoyed. A observation deck and some benches and tables are provided on the site. By the way, A sea of clouds might be seen from May to July in the morning.

The very impressive Mt. Usu and a crater basin can be seen from the Usuzan-Kakogen Viewing Platoform. It takes about 10 minutes from the Usu-sancho Station to here on foot. You may be tired because of a difference of elevation. But you can realize here is the volcano when you see steam. The square lookout is surrounded by fences, and does not has a facility. The Pacific Ocean and Date city can be seen from here. The view is very good unexpectedly. In addition, Osarugawa Bridge (長流川橋) with 1772.50 m in total length, the longest highway bridge in Japan, can be seen, too.

Usuzan-Gairinzan Boardwalk (有珠山外輪山遊歩道) is built around the outer rim of the crater, and is easy to walk relatively, but a stairway has difference of elevation, so you must get tired. There are Kakogen Lookout (火口原展望台) and Minami-gairinzan Lookout (南外輪山展望台) along the boardwalk. Green carpet from the Usuzan-Kakogen Viewing Platoform is the boardwalk and the Kakogen Lookout. It takes about 60 minutes from the Usu-sancho Station to the Minami-gairinzan Lookout on foot. I think hikers had better bring water and an insect repellent. In addition, Beware of bears.

A restroom, a gazebo and benches are provided on the Kakogen Lookout. Here can be viewed from the front than the Usuzan Kakogen Lookout relatively.

The Minami-gairinzan Lookout has Usu Zenkoji Okunoin Branch Temple (有珠善光寺奥の院) and benches. The Mt. Usu with another outer rim can be viewed from the front, and the pacific ocean can be viewed from the front, too. The Lake Toya and Mt. Yotei (羊蹄山) can be seen. I think that here is the best view. It is worth hiking to here. I had a sandwich while seeing the Pacific Ocean and the Lake Toya.

Atmosphere of Mt. Usu Can Be Watched on Youtube

Movie of Mt. Usu

Admission fee	Admission free
Parking lot	Pay parking lot is provided (400 Cars), Capacity for midsize vehicles: JPY 410.
Business hours	08:15-18:45　* It changes depending on seasons
Regular closing day	Open all year round
Telephone number	+81-142-75-2401
Home page	Home page is here

Accommodations

Refer to following websites for the accommodations around the Mt. Usu. You can get information regarding online reviews and photos.

Lake Toya

The Windsor Hotel TOYA(ザ・ウィンザーホテル洞爺リゾート＆スパ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Toyako Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace(洞爺湖万世閣ホテルレイクサイドテラス)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Toya Kohantei(洞爺湖畔亭)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Toya Gokirakutei(洞爺湖畔ごきらく亭)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Toya Kanko Hotel(洞爺観光ホテル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Grand Toya(ホテルグランドトーヤ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hokkai Hotel(北海ホテル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Toya Sansui Hotel Kafu(洞爺山水ホテル和風)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel New Toyako(ホテルニュー洞爺湖)	Only Tel:+81-142-75-2818
Toya Green Hotel(洞爺グリーンホテル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Toya Sun Palace(洞爺サンパレスリゾート＆スパ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
The Lake View Toya Nonokaze Resort(ザレイクビュー TOYA 乃の風リゾート)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Daiwa Ryokan Annex(大和旅館アネックス)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Toyako Onsen Hotel Hanabi(洞爺温泉ホテル華美)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Daiwa Ryokan(大和旅館)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Kitsutsuki Canadian Club(きつつきカナディアンクラブ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Petit Hotel Koizumi(西山高原プチホテル恋泉)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Pension Ohno(ペンションおおの)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Cocoa(ホテルココア)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Lakehouse At Toyako(レイクハウスアット洞爺湖)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Nakatoya Onsen Camping Ground(仲洞爺キャンプ場)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Onsen Ryokan Ikoiso(温泉旅館いこい荘)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Toya Kaawanami(洞爺かわなみ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Nakanoshima(ホテル中の島)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Showa Shinzan Youth Hostel(昭和新山ユースホステル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten

Date

Hotel Royal(ホテルローヤル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Date Prince Hotel(ダテプリンスホテル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Nishiki Ryokan(錦旅館)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Date Business Hotel Castle(伊達ビジネスホテルキャッスル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Station Hotel Sanga(ステーションホテルサンガ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten