Extraordinary Scenery That Toursits Look as If Is Going to Mistake Mt.Tarumae for Mars -Mt. Tarumae in Tomakomai-

Mt. Tarumae (樽前山) with 1,041 m in height is an active volcano in the northwestern part of Tomakomai city and is near Lake Shikotsu (支笏湖). Volcanic activity seemed to begin about 9,000 years ago. There is Triplex Lava Domes called Tarumae Dome (樽前ドーム) on the mountaintop, and it was born when it erupted in 1909. The Triplex Lava Domes are very rare in the world and have designed as the Hokkaido Natural Monument. The climbing season is from late May to mid November. There is a restroom only at the seventh station of Mt. Tarumae parking lot. Because there is not the restroom on the way up mountain, tourists should go to the restroom before mountain climbing. Admission free. A parking lot is free of charge.

Because poisonous gas has been emitting from the lava domes, the tourists do not must go near the lava domes. However, there are walk paths around the lava domes, and the tourists can go around. There are Higashiyama (東山) and Nishiyama (西山) around the lava domes, it is famous for looking over a good view. Because it is about 60-minute walk from the seventh station of Mt. Tarumae parking lot to the top of Nishiyama, I am glad that I can overlook a splendid view easily. It is popular that even beginning climbers can see a superb view.

I was a beginning climber and left a trailhead around 09:00, and I had a hard time with a rough path on the way, I reached to the Gairinzan Toritsukekuchi (外輪山取付口) in about 30 minutes. A view of Lake Shikotsu and Pacific made me feel better on the way. Then, I went round the top of the Higashiyama and the top of the Nishiyama. The lava domes took my breath away, too, and it was just like walking on the Mars and I just admired the scenery including the paths. I went down the mountain from the top of the Nishiyama to the trailhead around 13:00, I could walk and back for 4 hours.

Atmosphere of Mt. Tarumae Can Be Watched on Youtube

Movie of Mt. Tarumae

Accommodations

Refer to following websites for the accommodations around Mt. Tarumae.

Kyukamura Shikotsuko(休暇村支笏湖)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Spa MIZU-NO-UTA(しこつ湖鶴雅リゾート スパ水の謌)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Shikotsuko Daiichihotel Suizantei(支笏湖第一寶亭留 翠山亭)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Shikotsuko Suizantei Club(支笏湖翠山亭倶楽部)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Lakeside Villa Suimeikaku(レイクサイド ヴィラ翠明閣)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Guest House Shikotsu Kamui(ゲストハウス シコツカムイ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Shikotsuko Youth Hostel(支笏湖ユースホステル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Minshuku Mizuumi(民宿みずうみ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Smile Hotel Tomakomai(スマイルホテル苫小牧)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Comfort Hotel Tomakomai(コンフォートホテル 苫小牧)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Wing International Tomakomai(ホテルウィングインターナショナル苫小牧)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Tomakomai Green Hotel(苫小牧グリーンホテル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Route Inn Tomakomai(ホテルルートイン苫小牧駅前)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Dormy Inn Tomakomai(ドーミーイン苫小牧)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Toyoko Inn Tomakomai(東横イン苫小牧駅前)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Sugita(ホテル杉田)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Business Hotel Motonakano(ビジネスホテル モトナカノ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Grand Hotel New Oji(グランドホテル ニュー王子)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Okuni(ホテル於久仁)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Business Hotel Hachinohe(ビジネスホテルはちのへ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Oyado Hishokan(おやど 翔馬館)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Nidom(ホテル ニドム)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten

Booking.com

A page of Tomakomai is here

A page of Shikotsu-Toya National Park is here