| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | All day |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0142-76-2121 |
| Notes | Historical sight, photography spot, parking available |
| Location / Getting There | On the southern side of Lake Toya. The housing ruins are a 5 minute walk from the entrance. Toyakoonsen, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-5721 |
On March 27, 2000 Lake Toya was hit by volcanic activity and a number of large earthquakes causing some fault lines and the evacuation of the local residents. 4 days later, Mt. Usu erupted for the first time in 23 years. This followed with the eruption of Mt. Konpira which spewed forth volcanic rock and steaming mud towards the Toya Hot Spring district. This deadly mudslide swallowed bridges and houses in its wake. Now, a few of these buildings known as the Sakuragaoka Housing Ruins can be visited and you can get a first hand look at the destruction that was caused.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
The outcome included the destruction of 234 homes and damage to a further 217. Fortunately, due to the evacuations there were no casualties. These buildings are fascinating to walk around and to peer into past events. In the quiet of the countryside, they serve as a spooky reminder to the power of mother nature. The path to the building ruins is easy to follow and it is recommended to follow it further up to the Ari-kun crater. Since the eruption, safeguards have been put in place to help protect the Toya Hot Spring district, including sandbanks plus steel barriers. These can be seen along the way.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Grounds open all day 7:00 - 19:00 for temple |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0167-22-2731 |
| Notes | Shinto Shrine, sightseeing spot, photography spot, parking for 8 |
| Location / Getting There | Located in central Furano. It's a 15 minute walk from Furano station. 17-6 Wakamatsucho, Furano, Hokkaido 076-0032 |
Furano Shrine is a Shinto shrine can be found in central Furano along route 38. It was originally constructed in 1902 by the pioneers who had settled in the area. The grounds are a peaceful place to walk around and enjoy the architecture and the many trees. To one side of the main shrine, you can find two smaller shrines, Konpira Shrine and Inari Shrine. The path to these two small shrines passes under three red torii (Japanese gates). This area is a good spot to get some great photos of some Japanese culture, especially for those traveling!
[the_ad id=”4264″]
The grounds are a nice spot to walk around as they have various statues including the lion dog guardians (komainu) plotted around the shrines. There is also a dirt sumo ring that is interesting to have a look at and to get some more photos, plus a chōzubachi (water basin to wash hands). It is conveniently located whether walking from the station or for driving, as they have a small parking area. While in the town of Furano, why not stop in to Furano Marche which is close by, pick up some lunch and take a walk down to the shrine!
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1500 - ¥2000 |
| Opening Hours | 9:30 - 20:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0136-23-2220 http://www.nacadventures.jp/jojos-restaurant |
| Notes | Coffee shop & restaurant, seating 100, party plan available, jungle gym for kids, indoor climbing |
| Location / Getting There | Located centrally, in the resort town of Niseko in the NAC Adventure 179-53 Yamada, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0081 |
NAC Niseko Adventure is a hugely popular outdoor adventure company. Their main building can be found in the centre of Niseko and it is here where you can find JoJo’s. JoJo’s is a restaurant and coffee shop that is a great place to sit down and enjoy a lunch, or dinner, with friends and family after a days activities whether it be summer or winter. On the menu they have some truly juicy hamburgers. They have an original, bacon & cheese, or a salsa burger to wrap your teeth around! They also have a taco & rice to try.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
Of course, if you just want to relax, then take a seat and enjoy the coffees and teas. During the warmer months they have outside seating where you can take in the surrounding views. If you are in a group, JoJo’s has a course meals that are perfect for parties and gatherings (reservations required). These group plans include a seasonal course menu, a buffet style, an outdoor BBQ (from June to September 15), or an all you can drink plan that has beers and cocktails. If you have kids, they can enjoy the jungle gym, plus there is rock climbing and bouldering to try!
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | All day |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | Light walking trails, photography spot, parking available |
| Location / Getting There | On the southern side of Lake Toya. The crater itself is a 15 minute walk from the entrance. Toyakoonsen, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-5721 |
Lake Toya, being a caldera volcanic lake, is surrounded by land that has seen its fair share of volcanic activity. The area is home to a few craters, half a dozen monuments related to the ever shifting geography, and the active volcano Mt. Usu! Among the craters formed over the the southern area of Lake Toya there are some walking trails that make for a nice hike taking in the surrounding landscape. The entrance to the path, called the ‘Kompirayama Walking Trail’ can be found behind the Toyako Visitor Centre. It is also here you can find the parking lot.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
The walking trails are numbered from one to seven. You can find a map of these trails at the small hut at the base of the stairs that lead to start of the hike. The walk leads up into the hills where you can view the Ari-kun crater. Simply follow the sign mark T-7 and this will lead you to the crater. Along the way, you can see the steel barriers that were erected to protect the town from the hot mudflow after the 1977 eruptions. The trail is a circuit that also leads past the Sakuragaoka Housing Complex Ruins. Not only can you enjoy the views, but you also learn about the interesting history of the impact of the volcanoes in the area!
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 19:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0167-22-1001 |
| Notes | Shops, restaurants, souvenir stores, local produce store, rest area, parking available |
| Location / Getting There | Located in the central town of Furano. It's an 8 minute walk from Furano station. 13-1 Saiwaicho, Furano, Hokkaido 076-0024 |
Furano Marche is a small plaza that is home to twenty different shops, eateries and restaurants. Furano Marche serves as a popular tourist spot where you can pick up some great souvenirs, buy some local produce to take home to the kitchen, or take a rest and enjoy a quick feed on some local popular fare. It is conveniently located in the centre of the small town of Furano, and is a stones throw away from Furano station, and Furano shrine. If you are driving in, there is ample parking to be found. Furano marche makes a great spot to include on your travels in the area.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
Furano Marche is separated into two different sections, Furano Marche 1 and Furano March 2. They are located on two parallel blocks separated by a small road. Furano Marche 1 has an open plaza in the centre, whereas Marche 2 is a larger building complex. Furano Marche 1 includes a mouth watering burger shop, a cafe, a fresh bread store, a takoyaki (fried octopus snack) shop, a fruit juice counter, a local produce store and souvenir store. The larger building of Marche 2 has a flower store, local souvenir store, a rice ball eatery to take out, a local restaurant, a grocery store, a ramen restaurant, and an ice-sundae eatery.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1500 |
| Opening Hours | 11:00 - 17:00 |
| Closed | Wednesday & Thursday |
| Contact | 0142-87-2688 |
| Notes | Cafe & pastry store, seating 30, outside seating |
| Location / Getting There | Located on the northern shore of Lake Toya, across from the Tourist information centre. 127 Toyamachi, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-5802 |
Lake Toya is a beautiful lake which is a two hour drive south of Sapporo. This scenic area has plenty of camp grounds and hotels. On the northern side of the lake, you can find a great coffee shop which is perfect for a lunch or early dinner. The cafe is across from the Tourist Information Centre, and is also a small walk from the Ko Park Camping Ground making it a popular spot for campers as well as those stopping in for a bite, or a nice cup of coffee. During the warmer season, Cafe Lake Toya has outside seating so you can enjoy scenery.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
The lunch menu, which runs until three thirty in the afternoon, has a nice selection of delicious dishes. On the menu, you can find a beef on rice dish, a tandoori chicken, a beans keema curry, or a vegetarian galette with local vegetables, to name a few. You can enjoy these dishes in homely surroundings and for and extra ¥200 you can get the drink set menu. If you are looking for something small to go with your tea or coffee, Cafe Lake Toya makes some delicious pastries that you can buy at the counter. This cafe is a great spot for lunch with friendly staff!
