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
2
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. 4
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. 5
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