Shikotsu-Toya National Park sample book

The Regional Guide Mini

SHIKOTSU-TOYA NATIONAL PARK Sample Book

1

Introduction

SHIKOTSU-TOYA NATIONAL PARK Volcanic mountains, picturesque lakes and heartwarming onsen, Shikotsu-Toya is one of Hokkaido’s most popular tourist destinations.

Shikotsu-ko and Tarumae-zan

Area Map RUMOI

Horokanai

Rumoi

Sea of Japan

Uryu-numa Shitsugen

Asahikawa Hokuryu

Fukagawa

Takikawa Shintotsukawa Urausu

Atsuta Tsukigata Shakotan-cho Ishikari Bay (Bikuni)

Ishikari Otaru

Ebetsu

Yoichi SHIRIBESHI

Iwanai Bay Raiden Coast

Iwanai Kutchan Niseko

Jozankei Onsen

Furano

Bibai

Mikasa Iwamizawa

Kuriyama

ISHIKARI

Shimukappu

Chitose

Abira (Oiwake)

HIDA

Nibutani

MO

HIDAKA

N TAI

Tomikawa

Shiraoi

TOKACHI

UN S

Date

Mukawa

KA

Tomakomai

Obihiro Tokachi Plain

Hidaka

Airport

Toya-ko Noboribetsu Onsen

EASTERN HOKKAIDO

Shintoku

Shikotsu-ko New Chitose

Rusutsu Kuromatsunai

Uchiura Bay (Funka-wan)

SAPPORO

KAMIKAWA

SORACHI

Yubari

SHIKOTSU-TOYA NATIONAL PARK

Suttsu

Toyoura Oshamanbe

Ishikari Tobetsu Plain

Utashinai

Daisetsuzan National Park

Yubar i

Kamuimisaki

Biei

Akabira

tains

Hamamasu

Sounkyo Onsen

Moun

Ofuyu

Shakotan Peninsula

NORTHERN HOKKAIDO

Shinhidaka (Shizunai)

Muroran

Niikappu

Yakumo

Hiroo Urakawa Apoi-dake

PACIFIC OCEAN

Mori Onuma Park Shin-HakodateHokuto Hokkaido Shinkansen

Kikonai

Samani

OSHIMA

SOUTHERN HOKKAIDO

Erimo Erimo-misaki

Hakodate N

0

50km

Tsugaru Strait 2

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SHIKOTSU-TOYA NATIONAL PARK 支笏洞

国立公園

Shikotsu-Toya National Park is one of Hokkaido’s most popular destinations with foreigners. Volcanic activity has been created the unique mountains and peaceful lakes, Toya and Noboribetsu has a variety of onsen.

Shiraoi is known for its lakeside Ainu village of Poroto Kotan.

Many travelers skip the heavy industrial city Muroran, but it has a dramatic setting, eastern Japan’s longest suspension bridge, coastlines and factories make up the photogenic views.

Yotei-zan, view from Nakayama Pass

Jozankei Onsen ★

Hakodate Line

Hoheikyo Onsen

SHIRIBESHI

Hoheikyo Dam

Kutchan

Kyogoku

Yotei-zan (1898m) Rankoshi

5

Rusutsu Resort

Hikari

Nakayama Pass

230

Rusutsu

Monbetsu-dake (866m)

Shikotsu-ko

276

276 453

★

Toya-ko

Toyako Onsen

453

Kitayuzawa Onsen

IBURI

Orofure-yama Bankei (1230m) Onsen Orofure Pass

Usu

Date Jidaimura

Date Muroran 37 Line

★

Hakucho Ohashi

Muroran ★ Etomo Peninsula

36

Shiraoi Poroto Kotan

Muroran Line

Kojohama Onsen Noboribetsu

Washibetsudake (911m)

Kogane

Hokkaido Expwy

276

Tomakomai

Sobetsu Raiba-dake Noboribetsu Usu-zan (733m) Showa-shinzan (1040m) Onsen (398m) Karurusu Usu Zenko-ji ★ Kuttara-ko Onsen

Uchiura Bay (Funka-wan)

★

Tarumae-zan (1041m)

Bifue Pass

Chitose

Shikotsuko Onsen

Otaki

Toya-cho

Rebunge Toyoura Toyako (Abuta) Coast

453

National Park

230

Tsukiura

ISHIKARI

Eniwa-dake Kimobetsu Shikotsu-Toya (1320m)

Natural Park

Makkari

Chitose Line

Eniwa

Fukidashi Park

Niseko

Sapporo (10km)

Horobetsu

PACIFIC OCEAN

HigashiMuroran

Chikyu-misaki

N

0

20km

TOP DESTINATIONS IN SHIKOTSU-TOYA NATIONAL PARK ★

Shikotsu-ko

Japan’s clearest cardera lake environed by the picturesque mountains. ★

Shiraoi Poroto Kotan

The Ainu Museum and reconstructed village are situated on the pleasant lake Poroto-ko, see the traditional dancing performances. ★

Noboribetsu Onsen

Hokkaido’s most famous onsen nearby the steaming Jigoku-dani (hell valley), relaxing your body and mind.

★

Muroran

This industrial city boasts eastern Japan’s longest suspension bridge, photogenic coasts and factories - along with night view. ★

Toya-ko

Listed as a Unesco Global Geopark, it has a calm lake, scenic onsen and unusual volcanos such as Usu-zan and Showa-shinzan. ★

Jozankei Onsen

Sapporo’s oku-zashiki (inner parlor) set along the scenic mountain valley.

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Chikyu-misaki Trail, Muroran

Shikotsu-ko Hyoto Matsuri

Ainu Museum, Shiraoi

Naka-jima, Toya-ko

FOUR-DAY SUGGESTED ITINERARY Day 1: Shikotsuko Onsen

Day 3: Muroran & Toya-ko

Arrive in Chitose by air or train, then on to lakeside Shikotsuko Onsen for cruising or see the ice sculptures. ➡ Chitose to Shikotsuko Onsen by bus.

Head west to Muroran by train or bus, then hike along the coastal footpath in Muroran.

Continue to Toyako Onsen. ➡ Noboribetsu Onsen to Toyako Onsen via Muroran by bus or train.

Day 2: Shiraoi & Noboribetsu Onsen Return to Chitose by bus and visit Shiraoi’s lakeside Ainu Kotan (village) then head west to Noboribetsu Onsen for one night. ➡ Chitose to Shiraoi by train, Shiraoi to Noboribetsu Onsen by bus.

Day 4: Toya-ko & Jozankei Onsen Explore Toya-ko and take an afternoon bus to Jozankei Onsen. Explore the town and getting into hot water at night. ➡ Toyako Onsen to Jozankei by bus.

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Noboribetsu Onsen 登別温泉 Noboribetsu is one of Japan’s most famous hot spring resorts bustling with international tourists. About 10,000 tons of mineral water gushing out every day from the volcanic valley of Jigoku-dani and muddy pond of Oyu-numa.

The valley onsen town is small and walkable, we recommend circuit hiking.

ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES Most mid-range onsen hotels, with large-scale baths, are open for day use (higaeri nyuyoku) to the public for ¥800 to ¥2000.

Jigoku-dani 地獄谷 Meaning the ‘hell valley’, Jikoku-dani is the highlight of Noboribetsu where spewing out sulfurous gases and mineral water from the 10-hectare old explosion crater.

From the Noboribetsu Park Service Center, a number of nature trails (closed in winter) lead to Oyu-numa gray hot water ponds at the foot of an active volcano Hiyori-yama. From here, the riverside trail connects with the brook natural foot bath of Oyu-numa Tennen Ashi-yu open throughout the year.

Yumoto Sagiri-yu 夢元さぎり湯 Noboribetsu’s only but excellent public bath runs by the hot water supply company on the ground floor, near the bus terminal. Bring your towel and soap (available rentals). There are free and paid (¥650) resting rooms. ‣ ONSEN: 60 Noboribetsu Onsen-cho; 7am-9pm, to 10pm Apr-Oct; Adult ¥420, child ¥180 ‣ sagiriyu-noboribetsu.com

Jigoku-dani

FAST FACTS Population (city): 49,000 Location: 20km northeast of Muroran

HIGHLIGHTS ★ Hiking around the the Hell Valley ★ Hot Springs ★ Ninja Action at the Date Jidaimura

HOTSPOTS @ Noboribetsu International Tourism & Convention Center @ Noboribetsu Onsen Fureai Center @ Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura

LEFT LUGGAGE ✓ Noboribetsu Station ✓ Noboribetsu Onsen Bus Terminal 6

Toya-ko 洞

湖

The calm caldera lake of Toya-ko is a unique tourist spot in the western part of ShikotsuToya National Park. The active volcano Usuzan (737m) has erupted four times in the 20th-century, which created Showa-shinzan (398m) next to its mountain in 1944. Great eruptions caused a lot of damage in this area, however on the other hand, volcanic activity brought various benefits such as onsen and impressive views.

Lake and volcanos are listed as a Unesco Global Geopark from 2009. Toyako Onsen, lies on its southern shore, is a base of staying and hiking, plus good transport links from Sapporo and Noboribetsu Onsen. Take at least stay one night off your trip.

Lakeside Promenade, Toyako Onsen

ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES

FAST FACTS

Toyako Onsen 洞 湖温泉

Population: 9000 Location: 40km northwest of Muroran, 100km southwest of Sapporo

The lakeside promenade is a good stroll place overlooking the islands and Yotei-zan, especially morning and twilight. From late April to October, the fireworks set off on the lake at 8.45pm every night.

Toyako Kisen Cruise 洞 湖汽船 We think the Toyako Kisen loop cruise is the best way to seeing this beautiful lake. From spring to autumn, boats call at Naka-jima known as ‘deer island’ where you can visit the Forest Museum (¥200) or hike a 7.6km-long footpath (fill out a forest entry register). ‣ CRUISE: 8am-4.30pm late Apr-Oct (twice hourly) via Naka-jima, 9am-4pm Nov-early Apr (hourly); ¥1420 ‣ www.toyakokisen.com

HIGHLIGHTS ★ Hike on the Volcanic Footpaths ★ Take a Cruise on the Lake Toya-ko ★ Stay at Toyako Onsen

HOTSPOTS @ Toyako Onsen Town @ Toyako Visitor Center @ Toyako Tourist Information Center @ Toya Mizu-no-eki

LEFT LUGGAGE ✓ Toya Station ✓ Toyako Onsen Bus Terminal 7