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Lake Toya

Hokkaido - Japan

It is the heart of the vast Shikotsu-Toya National Park, a place of great beauty visible to the naked eye. This is an ideal exploration any time of year if you are interested in nature, history and scenery.

Lake Toya (洞) is a lake born by large-scale eruptions 110,000 years ago, the third largest crater lake in Japan after Lake Kussharo and Lake Shikotsu. With a maximum depth of 180 meters, Lake Toya is 10 km in diameter from east to west and 9 km in diameter, located between Toyako town and Sobetsu town northwest of Muroran city.

Lake Toya is a great destination to visit all year round, is one of the most beautiful lakes in the north that never freezes, attracting a lot of local and international tourists to visit. The landscape is distinctly different in all four seasons: cherry blossom viewing in spring, the changing color of leaves in autumn, snow-covered islands in winter and crystal clear waters in summer are ideal places to visit. ideal for swimming. However, we recommend going between late April and early November as the temperatures are mild but very warm, plus the views are stunning and there are plenty of activities on offer.

There are many parks around the lake to walk and enjoy. Likewise, there are many hiking trails, such as the Waterfront Forest Lane (Takarada Nature Observation Trail) and the Nishiyama Sanroku Crater Trail. In the months when the weather is warmer, there are five campsites around the lake. Lake Toya is the second most transparent lake in Japan, perfect for swimming, canoeing and boating on a beautiful summer day.

Shikotsu Toya National Park's Silo Observatory: offers stunning panoramic views of Lake Toya, Mount Nakajima, Mount Usu and Showa Shinzan. This is the perfect place to stop, take photos and recharge with a coffee or enjoy the Hokkaido desserts available at the souvenir shop.

Next stops, are the Toyako Visitor Center and the Volcano Science Museum. Learn about the animals and plants that inhabit the area as well as the natural history of Mount Usu. When Mount Usu erupted in 2000, more than 60 new craters were created on the western side of the mountain. Along the trail you can see buildings damaged in natural disasters as well as roads disrupted by volcanic activity.

Mount Usu and Showa-Shinzan: are the main tourist attractions in Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Mount Usu (elevated 737m) is an active volcano that provides geothermal heating for many onsen hot springs and is located south of Lake Toya. The volcano has erupted four times in the past 100 years, and the best way to reach the summit of Showa-Shinzan and Mount Usu is by cable car to the top.

After a day of sightseeing, guests can relax with a dip in the soothing hot waters of the numerous hot springs offering stunning lake views.

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Nearby attractions

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