Ari-kun Crater & Walking Trails

有くん火口
AdmissionFree
Opening HoursAll day
Closed-
Contact-
NotesLight 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.  

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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!   

Toya Temple & Monument

洞爺寺
AdmissionFree
Opening Hours-
Closed-
Contact0142-82-5076
NotesBuddhist temple, sightseeing spot, photography spot, historical landmark
Location /
Getting There
Located on the northern shore of Lake Toya. Can be found just above the road located north of Route 132
23 Toyamachi, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-5802

On the northern shore of Lake Toya you can find Toya Temple and a scenic monument of Hokkaido. They are both just off route 132 and there is a road leading up where you can find parking. Toya Temple is a Shinto shrine that offers scenic views over the lake. The public are welcome to walk around the small grounds here where you can appreciate the statues, architecture, and wooden carvings that surround the temple. The doors to the temple itself are often closed but it’s still a nice area to check out. The temple makes for a nice look in if you are taking a stroll around the path that follows the shore. 

 

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The path that winds around the northern part of the lake that includes sightseeing spots such as Ukimido Park, and Toyako Art Museum & park plus the Ko Park Camping Ground. The whole area is dotted with beautiful sculptures. Along the small access road that leads to Toya Temple, you can also find one of the ‘scenic monuments of Hokkaido’. There are three scenic monuments in Hokkaido, with the other two being in Jozankei, and on the small island of Rishiri. These three scenic monuments were selected in 1923 by the Otaru Newspaper which was one of three main papers in Hokkaido at the time. 

Hagi Park Camp Ground

曙公園
Cost per night¥2000 large tent
¥700 small tent
OpenApril - November
ClosedWinter
Contact-
NotesLakeside campsite, Washing area, Toilets, Parking, Summer night time fireworks
Location /
Getting There
Located on the northern side on Lake Toya. 2 hour drive from Sapporo
100 Tōyamachi, Toyako, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 049-5802

Lake Toya is a beautiful lake that can be found in the southern area of Hokkaido. It is about a two and a half hour drive from Sapporo. The lake is famous for its pristine waters, local wilderness, and its volcano which lies dormant to the south of the lake. The volcano being Mt Usu. There are couple of camp grounds by the shores of Lake Toya which are fantastic spots to set up your tent. The Hagi Park Camp Ground is one of these. The camping area is large and there is plenty of space with spectacular views all overlooking the lake. The campground has toilets, parking, and sinks with running water to clean up. 

 

 

 

 

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The camping ground has a small river running through it leading out to the lake. It’s here you can find some of the local residents paddling around. The swans like to feed here and it’s a good spot to get some photos! The grounds surrounding the whole lake has sculptures all through it, and at the Hagi Park Ground you can find some great pieces of art. During the warm summer months you can see (and hear) the fireworks show that is held daily across the other side of the lake. On setting up your tent at the site, friendly staff will do the rounds and you can pay the going rate for the tents. There is no office here. Hagi Park Camp Ground is the perfect spot to get away. 

Lake Toya Ferry & Cruise

Pricing Guide¥1420 adults ¥710 children
¥1280 adults ¥640 children (groups of 15 or more)
Extra ¥200 for firework viewing tour
Operating Hours8:30 - 16:30
Ferry leaves every 30 minutes
9:00 - 16:00 (during the winter)
Closed
Contact0142-75-2137
http://www.toyakokisen.com/price/price01.html
NotesLast cruise from Nakanoshima is at 15:00, free parking available (large-size vehicles allowed),
firework tour unavailable in winter
Location /
Getting There
Located on the southern shore of Lake Toya, between the lake and the hotels. Found at Funsui Hiroba Fountain Square.
049-5721 Hokkaido, Abuta-gun, Toyako, Tōyakoonsen, Route 2

Local ferry

In the centre of Lake Toya , there is a large island called Nakanoshima. This beautiful area can be accessed via the local ferry that leaves from the southern shore of the Toyako Onsen district. The ferry leaves the port every thirty minutes. The last ferry to leave from the island of Nakanoshima is at 15:00, so don’t miss it! Once on the island you are free to walk around and follow the well kept trails. The forest here is a beautiful escape, and is a popular spot to take in the greenery.

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One of the small swan boats for hire

For those who don’t want to visit the central island in Lake Toya, there is a small cruise package available. The cruise goes around Nakanoshima and takes fifty minutes (an additional thirty minutes if passengers are alighting at the island). There is a summer cruise and a winter cruise, both offering beautiful views. The summer cruise operates slightly longer than the winter schedule. From April 28th to October 31st there is a special fireworks cruise. The departure time is at approximately at 20:30 and from the boat you can enjoy the spectacular firework display that lights up the lake. 

Green Stay Lake Toya Auto Campsite

グリーンステイ洞爺湖
Cost per night¥15,000 Lodge (40m²) power, water & toilet
¥10,000 Cabin (16m²) power & water
¥8,500 Bungalow A (9m²) power & water, deck, chairs
¥8,000 Bungalow B (9m²) power supply
¥6,000 Camper dedicated Power & water
¥5,000 Camp B1 Power supply
¥4,000 Camp B2
¥700 Motorcycle
OpenAll year
Check in times
for lodges & cabins
Check in from 13:00
Checkout from 9:00 - 12:00
Contact0142-75-3377
http://www.town.toyako.hokkaido.jp/tourism/outdoor_camp/odc001/#paragraph5286
NotesLakeside campsite, Washing area, Toilets, Parking, Camping gear available to rent
Location /
Getting There
Located on the west side of Lake Toya along the coast road
56 Tsukiura, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-5723

 

Lake Toya has a nice coastal drive around it offering beautiful views over the water. There are many hotels to stay at in the onsen district. If you are looking for something out of town and a bit more rustic, then the Green Stay Lake Toya Campsite might be the perfect option for you. The campsite can be found along the main road around the lake, on the western side of Lake Toya. The campground caters to anyone from families, couples to solo bikers on a bike tour.  They have lodges, cabins, and tent sites. The campground is enormous which is great fro anyone looking for a little privacy.

 

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The Green Stay Lake Toya Campsite’s main office can be found near the entrance and parking lot. It is here where you can pay for your stay. They have camping equipment to rent. You can get a tent, sleeping bag, lantern, table for four, camping stand, cooking gear, a BBQ stove, and gas. The price ranges from ¥2000 to ¥200 for your gear. At the main office you can also find benches, washing machines for use, plus maps & guide pamphlets on the activities that you can do around the lake. With plenty of space, well cared for cabins and lawns, this campground is the perfect spot for a little getaway!

Funsui Hiroba Fountain Square

AdmissionFree admission
Opening HoursAll day
Closed-
Contact0142-75-2446
NotesWalking esplanade, foot spas, ferry point, photo spot, fireworks viewing point
Location /
Getting There
Located on the southern shore of Lake Toya, between the lake and the hotels
049-5721 Hokkaido, Abuta-gun, Toyako, Tōyakoonsen, Route 2

 

Nice walk along the path

The Funsui Hiroba Park (also known as Fountain Square), acts as a park for kids to play in, and also as a boardwalk that hugs the southern shore of Lake Toya. From the park, the path runs along the lake for about 500 meters. The park is dotted with splendid statues, and during the evening it is where you can view the Lake Toya firework display that is held nightly throughout the whole summer and autumn (from the end of April to the end of October). Along the path, there are plenty of places to stop and admire the lake.


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Perfect spot to take rest

As the path can take you on a long stroll, there is a place along the way to rest those weary feet. There is a small foot bath, the ‘Toron Foot Spa’ where you can take a seat, bathe your feet in the hot spring and take in the views of the lake. The footbath is free to use. It is also, along this road, you can take the ferry to the inner island of Lake Toya, known as ‘Nakanoshima’. The ferry makes the short journey across every thirty minutes. There is also a boat rental spot on the waters edge if you feel like exploring the lake a little further.