🗺️ Lake Toya

Lake Toya is located in the southwestern part of Hokkaido and is a lake formed by volcanic eruptions, which does not freeze in winter. The most attractive feature of Lake Toya in Hokkaido is its natural scenery, primarily centered around the volcanic caldera lake and the active volcano, Mount Usu. This area has been designated as the Toya-Usu Geopark by UNESCO. Being a caldera lake, there are numerous hot spring baths in the surrounding area. One of the highlights of Lake Toya is the dynamic natural landscape created by volcanic activity that occurs once every few decades. There is a walking trail at the foot of the west side of Mount Usu, which allows visitors to personally experience the volcanic power of Mount Usu, which erupted on March 31, 2000. The trail has a north entrance and a south entrance, with a one-way distance of 1.2 kilometers, taking about 60 minutes to walk (open from April 20 to the end of November, closed in winter). Additionally, the ground uplift and the cracks in the asphalt roads caused by the volcanic eruption in 2000 are still vivid, making it a place where one can witness the destruction and regeneration caused by volcanic activity. Admission is free, and it is conveniently located just a 5-minute drive from the Toya Onsen area and a 13-minute drive from Toya Station, which is one of its advantages as a tourist destination. Around Lake Toya, there are hot spring inns featuring sodium chloride and calcium chloride springs, and visitors can enjoy delicious cuisine made from local seafood and farm ingredients. It’s a great idea to take your time and relax in the hot springs while visiting.

The UNESCO Global Geopark has designated the Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano Geopark. There are walking trails specifically for pedestrians, allowing close-up views of the power of the volcano. Please note that the walking trails are closed in winter. The Toya Lake observation deck has a shop where you can purchase various Hokkaido souvenirs suitable for gifts.