Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Shikotsu-Toya National Park (Japan). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Shōwa-shinzan, Lake Tōya, and Mount Izari. Also, be sure to include Mount Tarumae in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Shikotsu-Toya National Park (Hokkaido).
Table of Contents
Shōwa-shinzan
Also known as: 昭和新山
Lava dome in Japan. Shōwa-shinzan is a volcanic lava dome in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Hokkaido, Japan, next to Mount Usu. The mountain was created between 28 December 1943 and September 1945. Initially, a series of strong earthquakes shook the area, and wheat fields were rapidly uplifted. Lava broke through the surface and the current peak was created. The peak is now 398 m tall, and still actively smoking.
The name Shōwa-shinzan means "Shōwa new mountain", as it formed during the reign of Emperor Hirohito, known as the Shōwa period. When Shōwa-shinzan first appeared, the Japanese authorities were worried that it might be interpreted as an unlucky wartime omen, and its existence was kept secret. Much of the information about peak's formation during these years comes from local postmaster Masao Mimatsu, who kept detailed measurements of its progress.[1]
Lake Tōya
Also known as: 洞爺湖
Lake in Japan. Lake Tōya is a volcanic caldera lake in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Abuta District, Hokkaidō, Japan. It is part of "Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano Global Geopark" which joins in Global Geoparks Network. The stratovolcano of Mount Usu lies on the southern rim of the caldera. The lake is nearly circular, being 10 kilometers in diameter from east–west and 9 kilometers from north–south. The town of Tōyako comprises most of the area surrounding the lake and the town of Sōbetsu is located on the eastern side.
Lake Tōya is said to be the northernmost lake in Japan that never ices (with competing claim by nearby Lake Shikotsu), and the second most transparent lake in Japan. Nakajima Island (not to be confused with another island of the same name in Lake Kussharo) is an island in the middle of the lake which houses the Tōya Lake Forest Museum.
Lake Tōya was called Kim'un-to (キムウン (kim'un) means "in the mountain" and ト (to) means "lake") by the Ainu. In the Meiji era, Japanese pioneers named the lake Tōya after the Ainu expression to ya, which means "lakeshore, land around a lake."
The 2008 G8 Summit was held at Lake Tōya and The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa.[2]
Mount Izari
Mount Izari is a volcano with an altitude of 1,318 m at the junction of Eniwa, Chitose and Sapporo, Ishikari Subprefecture, Hokkaido. It has been selected as one of the 100 famous mountains in Hokkaido. A second-class triangulation station "Izaridake" is set up on the mountaintop.[3]
Mount Tarumae
Also known as: 樽前山
Caldera in Japan. Mount Tarumae is located in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park in Hokkaidō, Japan. It is located near both Tomakomai and Chitose towns and can be seen clearly from both. It is on the shores of Lake Shikotsu, a caldera lake. Tarumae is a 1,041 metre active andesitic stratovolcano, with a lava dome.[4]
Mount Eniwa
Also known as: 恵庭岳
Volcano in Japan. Mount Eniwa is an active volcano located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park in Hokkaidō, Japan. It sits opposite Mount Tarumae and Mount Fuppushi on the shores of Lake Shikotsu, the caldera lake that spawned the volcanoes. Mount Eniwa is the tallest of the three volcanoes.[5]
Mount Fuppushi
Also known as: 風不死岳
Mount in Japan. Mount Fuppushi is a dormant volcano located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park in Hokkaidō, Japan. It sits adjacent to Mount Tarumae and opposite Mount Eniwa. Mount Fuppushi is on the south shore of Lake Shikotsu, the caldera lake that spawned the volcanoes.[6]
Mount Usu
Also known as: 有珠山
Stratovolcano in Japan. Mount Usu is an active stratovolcano in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Hokkaido, Japan. It has erupted four times since 1900: in 1910, 1944–45, August 7, 1977, and on March 31, 2001. To the north lies Lake Tōya. Mount Usu formed on the southern rim of the caldera containing the lake.
Mount Usu and Shōwa-shinzan are major tourist attractions in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. A ropeway on Mount Usu takes visitors to viewing platforms overlooking Shōwa-shinzan. The 1977 eruption is mentioned in passing in Alan Booth's travelogue, The Roads to Sata. The 2008 G8 Summit was held near Mount Usu at Lake Tōya.[7]
Mount Monbetsu
Also known as: 紋別岳
Mountain in Japan. Mount Monbetsu is a mountain located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park in Hokkaidō, Japan. It sits on the shore of Lake Shikotsu, a caldera lake. It also hosts a radio relay station.[8]
Lake Shikotsu
Also known as: 支笏湖
Lake in Japan. Lake Shikotsu is a caldera lake in Chitose, Hokkaidō, Japan. It is a part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park.[9]
Usuzan Ropeway
Also known as: 有珠山ロープウェイ
Mountain cable car in Sobetsu, Japan. The Usuzan Ropeway is Japanese aerial lift line in Sōbetsu, Hokkaidō, operated by Wakasa Resort. Opened in 1965, the line climbs Mount Usu, the active volcano in Shikotsu-Tōya National Park. The observatory has a view of Lake Tōya, Shōwa Shinzan, and the central crater of Mount Usu.[10]
Hōheikyō Dam
Also known as: 豊平峡ダム
Scenic spot in Sapporo, Japan. Hōheikyō Dam is a concrete Arch dam in Sapporo, Hokkaidō; Japan. It dams the Toyohira River. It is situated in Toya National Park. The dam was created for Irrigation as well as Flood control. The road leading to the dam has been closed off for regular car use, instead Hybrid electric buses are operated so the natural environment is protected. The dam's lake is known as Jozan Lake,[11]