[New Chitose Airport IN & OUT / 3 Nights 4 Days] Experience Toya-Usu UNESCO Global Geopark! A Trip to Feel the Coexistence with Volcanoes and the "Living Earth"

[New Chitose Airport IN & OUT / 3 Nights 4 Days] Experience Toya-Usu UNESCO Global Geopark! A Trip to Feel the Coexistence with Volcanoes and the "Living Earth"
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Days required
4 days and 3 nights
Main methods of transportation
JR, Bus, Car

The Toya-Usu UNESCO Global Geopark is a living classroom where you can witness the Earth's transformative power. Lake Toya was forged by an eruption 110,000 years ago, and Mt. Usu remains an active force today.


This 4-day, 3-night sample itinerary is designed to help you explore the profound connection between humanity and the volcano through special experiences accompanied by a guide.

  • * The spots and experience menus introduced in the course are subject to change. Please check the official website for the latest information.
  • * Please note that the text shown on this page includes machine translations.
Start
Day1

New Chitose Airport

Hokkaido's main gateway to the skies

The airport is complete with hot springs, cinemas, gourmet dining, and souvenir shops, enriching your Hokkaido experience from the moment you land.

About 90 minutes by JR Limited Express Train

JR Toya Station

Transfer to a local bus for Lake Toya

About 30 minutes by bus

Toyako Visitor Center, Volcano Science Museum

Earth's Raw Power: Uncover the Secrets of Lake Toya's Volcanic Heart

This dual facility serves as your essential gateway to local information on Lake Toya's nature and tourism.


The Lake Toya Visitor Center clearly displays information on the area's rich natural environment, utilizing panels and real specimens.


Step into the Volcano Science Museum to explore the dramatic history and mechanisms of volcanic eruptions through immersive videos and compelling exhibits, including real vehicles damaged during past eruptions.

Address
虻田郡洞爺湖町洞爺湖温泉142-5
Telephone Number
0142-75-2555
Open
9:00-17:00
10:00-15:00 (January 4-5)
Closed
The New Year's holiday and other temporary closures

Lake Toya Hot Spring

Enjoy the Magnificent Scenery of Lake Toya from Hokkaido's Premier hot spring Resort

This premier hot spring resort, a favorite of over 3 million annual visitors, boasts the largest volume of hot spring water and the highest concentration of hotels and traditional Ryokan inns in Hokkaido.


You can fully appreciate the sweeping views of Lake Toya while relaxing in the therapeutic waters.

Address
Toyako Onsen, Toyako-cho
Telephone Number
0142-75-2446

[Accommodation] Toyako Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace

Unforgettable Views: Enjoy Lake Toya and Mt. Yotei from the 8th-Floor hot spring

This established Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) is centrally located in the Lake Toya hot spring town.


From the large public bath on the 8th floor, you can enjoy an expansive view: Lake Toya stretches out directly before you, with Mt. Yotei visible in the distance behind it.

Address
虻田郡洞爺湖町洞爺湖温泉21
Telephone Number
0570-08-3500
Day2
About 10 minutes by car

Mt. Usu Ropeway

Take an aerial stroll with breathtaking views from Lake Toya to Mt. Yotei!

The newly refurbished, Swiss-made gondolas feature wide glass windows, ensuring you can fully enjoy the magnificent scenery during the ascent.


From the summit terrace, you can enjoy stunning panoramic views overlooking Lake Toya and Mt. Showa-Shinzan.

Address
184-5 Showashinzan, Sobetsu-cho
Telephone Number
0142-75-2401
Open
Hours: Summer (8:15 - 17:30), Winter (9:00 - 16:00)
*There are times when the gondola is not in service for winter maintenance checks.
*Hours are subject to change. Please contact Mt. Usu Ropeway in advance.
Closed
Open all year round (closed in winter for vehicle inspections)
About 10 minutes by car

Slow Cycling (About 5 hours)

Volcano's Bounty: A Leisurely Cycle Through Orchards and Farms

Embark on a relaxing cycling tour through the towns nestled at the base of the volcano.


This route allows you to pedal slowly through picturesque landscapes, visiting local orchards and farms to experience the rich agricultural bounty of the region.

Address
有珠郡壮瞥町滝之町287-7壮瞥町教育委員会
Telephone Number
0142-66-2131
Some of the spots you will visit on the tour

Daisaku Farm

Sweet & Bursting: Experience Mini Tomato Picking!

Daisaku Farm specializes in growing over a dozen varieties of mini tomatoes, meticulously cultivating them with special attention to the soil quality.


During July and August, you can enjoy the deliciousness of the freshly picked harvest with their Mini Tomato Picking experience. Savor the sweet, sun-ripened tomatoes right on the spot—a truly delightful and luxurious experience!

Address
有珠郡壮瞥町滝之町287-297
Telephone Number
090-5954-4277

[Lunch] Daisaku Farm

Hand-Roll Your Lunch: The Authentic Onigiri Experience!

Enjoy a truly special lunch with the "Onigiri (rice ball) Making Experience," where you hand-roll your own using Nanatsuboshi, the premium rice grown right here at Daisaku Farm.


Surrounded by freshly harvested vegetables and fruits, this is a truly exclusive and special moment where you can savor the authentic taste of Hokkaido in a handmade meal.

Takashina Sightseeing Orchard

A Luxurious Experience: Taste Seasonal Fruits Right Where They're Picked!

Located in Sobetsu Town, blessed with a mild climate and fertile land, Takashina Sightseeing Orchard cultivates a vibrant array of fruits.


Here, you can enjoy seasonal fruit picking of items such as apples, grapes, cherries, and prunes. You have the option to savor the freshly harvested fruits right on the spot or purchase them by weight to take home.


Come and experience the exquisite sweetness and aroma of the fruits picked directly from the branch!

Address
有珠郡壮瞥町滝之町362
Telephone Number
0142-66-2155
About 10 minutes by car

TOYAKOKISEN

A Refreshing, Elegant Cruise with Spectacular Views from the Lake!

From April to October, the Espoir, one of Japan's largest catamaran cruise ships, departs from the Lake Toya hot spring pier.


During this elegant cruise, you can enjoy the refreshing breeze on your cheeks while taking in the stunning panoramic views of Mt. Yotei, Mt. Showa-Shinzan, and Mt. Usu. The cruise circles Nakas-jima—a cluster of four islands in the middle of the lake. You have the option to disembark and visit the Lake Museum (Mizuumi no Mori Hakubutsukan) on Nakas-jima Island to learn about the nature and volcanic history of this fascinating region.

Address
虻田郡洞爺湖町洞爺湖温泉29
Telephone Number
0142-75-2137
Open
Summer 8:30-16:30 (every 30 minutes)
Winter 9:00-16:00 (every 60 minutes)
Closed
Open all year round
Return to the hotel
Day3
About 10 minutes by car

Mt. Usu Custom-Made Private Tour (About 4 hours)

Hike the Global Geopark and learn the wisdom of living alongside a volcano

This private, custom-made tour allows you to hike through the UNESCO Global Geopark with a dedicated guide, offering a unique opportunity to learn the history and ingenuity—the "wisdom"—of the local people who have lived alongside the active volcano Mt. Usu for centuries.

Address
伊達市弄月町249-4
Telephone Number
090-3892-3695

Some Featured Spots on the Tour

Kompira Crater Observation Deck
Kompira Crater Observation Deck
A walking trail near Lake Toya hot spring leads to this deck. You can see buildings preserved in their damaged state to convey the eruption's reality and serve as a lesson for future generations.
Yu-kun & Tama-chan Craters
Yu-kun & Tama-chan Craters
These large craters were created during the 2000 eruption in areas where people's homes and lives once existed. They are affectionately named "Yu-kun" and "Tama-chan" after Mt. Usu (Usu-zan) itself.
Nishi-Shinzan Numa Pond
Nishi-Shinzan Numa Pond
This pond was formed due to the 2000 eruption. Originally a downhill road, the ground uplifted, and rainwater collected in the resulting depression, transforming the area into this unique pond.
Volcanic Eruption Disaster Remains
Volcanic Eruption Disaster Remains
The scars left by the Mt. Usu eruption are preserved exactly as they were, serving as educational materials for volcanic study. Here, you can experience the raw power of nature up close.
About 10 minutes by car

Lake Toyako Long Run Fireworks Display

Watch the Nightly Show from Your hot spring Bath!

This immensely popular event is Lake Toya’s signature fireworks display.

True to its name, the "Long Run" festival features a spectacular firework display every single night for about six months during the warmer season.


These large fireworks beautifully color the night sky and reflect stunningly on the surface of Lake Toya, offering a truly unique viewing experience.

Address
洞爺湖町洞爺湖温泉
Telephone Number
0142-75-2446
Open
20:45-21:05
Closed
Open every day during the period(Cancellation of stormy weather)
Day4
Depart from the hotel
About 30 minutes by bus
JR Toya Station
About 90 minutes by JR Limited Express Train
New Chitose Airport
After three days exploring Lake Toya and Mt. Usu, you will carry home more than souvenirs. The memories of the volcano's bounty, the enduring wisdom of its people, and the sheer, palpable power of the land will remain etched in your heart—a lasting connection to Hokkaido's "Living Earth."
Goal
  • New Chitose Airport
  • JR Toya Station
  • Toyako Visitor Center, Volcano Science Museum
  • Lake Toya Hot Spring
  • [Accommodation] Toyako Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace
  • Mt. Usu Ropeway
  • Slow Cycling (About 5 hours)
  • Daisaku Farm
  • [Lunch] Daisaku Farm
  • Takashina Sightseeing Orchard
  • TOYAKOKISEN
  • Mt. Usu Custom-Made Private Tour (About 4 hours)
  • Lake Toyako Long Run Fireworks Display

Please note that Google Maps may not display properly if the number of Google Maps page loads exceeds the daily limit.

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