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.



Ko Park Camping Ground

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

 

Wisteria orchard

The Ko Park Camping Ground can be found on the northern shores of Lake Toya. It a nice strip of grassland where you can pitch your tent, overlooking the placid water of the lake. By the campground there are sculptures, a wisteria orchard, a beach area, plus a small shrine, and a nice walking path around the grounds. It is also within a five minute walk to Ukimido Park. The campground is easily accessed via the road, and there is a parking lot right next the grounds.


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One of the artworks along the campground

The campground has toilet facilities and also a garbage disposal area to keep the area clean. Everyday, the ground staff (wearing orange jackets) will come around and charge the fee depending on your size of tent, so keep your wallet handy. When it comes to food, fires contained within a cooking stove is allowed. There is a convenience store about a ten minute walk away. Across from the campground is a Vietnamese restaurant (though often closed), and a Japanese izakaya, and also, down the road is Cafe Lake Toya. Last but not least, at 20:45 there is a fireworks display which can be seen on the other side of the lake. The fireworks display is held every night, except for winter.

 

 

Ukimido Park

AdmissionFree admission
Opening Hours-
Closed-
Contact0142-82-5111
NotesParking available
Walking paths
Sightseeing spot
Location /
Getting There

 


Ukimido Park is a great sightseeing spot and a good place to get some photos on the shores of Lake Toya. The park can be easily recognized by its stone sculptures and its small outcrop where the iconic shrine is located. The shrine, surrounded by the tranquil waters of Lake Toya make for a great photography opportunity, in any kind of season. The shrine is only a five minute walk from the main car park, which is located on the northern side of lake.


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The park has paths that intertwine making for a pleasant walk through the warmer months. The park, as with most of the parks around Lake Toya, has large sculptures arranged around its grounds. The small island that the shrine is on, was once part of a hill that was formed when the caldera was formed 110,000 years ago. Ruins from this period, known as the Jomon period, can be found around this small island! The large car park that sits right next to the park has plenty of spaces so parking is not a problem.



Lake Toya

Things to seeMt. Usu
Toyako Onsen
Toyako Visitor Center
Tōya Lake Forest Museum
NotesWalking trails, Onsens, National park, Camping grounds
Getting ThereTake JR train from Sapporo station bound for Hakodate. Get off at Toya station (70 min) ¥4500
Take bus from Toya station to Toyako Onsen bus terminal (15 min) ¥330


Lake Tōya is a volcanic caldera lake in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. With a maximum depth of 180 metres, this lake is 10 kilometers in diameter from east to west and 9 kilometers, north to south. The lake’s biggest town, Tōyako is located on its western shore. The town Sōbetsu is located on the other side of the lake. The stratovolcano, Mt Usu, lies on the southern edge of the lake. This lake is beautiful all year round, and is one of the northern most lakes that never ices over.


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A beautiful winter dawn

So, what can you do at the lake? This Lake is a beautiful lake to drive around and get some photos. There are numerous parks surrounding the lake in which to stroll, and enjoy. Likewise, there are numerous walking trails surrounding the park, such as the Waterfront Forest Lane (Takarada Nature Observation Trail) and the Nishiyama Sanroku Crater Trail. In the warmer months, there are five campgrounds around the lake. Lake Toya is the second most transparent lake in Japan! Perfect for swimming, canoeing, and boating on a nice summers day.


After a days activities, you can sit in the soothing hot water of the numerous onsens in which to relax with gorgeous views of the lake. And finally, in the middle of the lake, there is Nakajima Island. Nakajima island is home to wild deer and it also houses houses the Tōya Lake Forest Museum.



Jozankei Dam

AdmissionFree
Opening HoursFrom the middle of May to the end of October
9:00 - 16:00
Closed-
Contact011-598-2513 Jozankei Dam museum
http://jozankei.jp/en/jozankei-dam/288
NotesFree parking
Car needed
Location /
Getting There
061-2302 Sapporo, Hokkaido , Minami-ku Jozankei 8

10 minute drive from Jozankei


Jozankei Dam is a great sightseeing spot. Completed in 1989 and measuring at 117 metres, it offers fantastic views over Lake Sapporo and  down the river in which it feeds into. Not only does Jozankei Dam have great views, but it also has  a museum that is free to enter. The museum displays diorama models of the dams construction, has pictures and panels of the local area, and videos and exhibits detailing the electricity system.


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There is a trail that leads down to the bottom of the dam which makes for a pleasant walk through the trees and park areas. It makes for a great spot for a picnic, a spot of lunch or to view the autumn leaves in season. The trail to Mt. Kotengu can also be found here. The whole area of Jozankei is nice spot to drive or walk around. While in the area, there is not only Jozankei dam, but also the Ainu Culture Museum , Hakkenzan Winery, as well as all the Onsens!



Hoheikyo Dam

Hoheikyo Dam Sapporo

AdmissionFree
Opening HoursAll day
Shuttle bus hours8:45 - 16:00
Adults ¥620, Children ¥300
Contact011-598-3452
NotesPeak spot for autumn leaves viewing
Free parking
Wheelchair access
Toilets available
Location /
Getting There
Jozankei 840-banchisaki, Minami-ku, Sapporo

By car or bus, it's a 1 hour drive from Sapporo
During October, it can take all day to get there!
By car from Jozankei its an 8 minute drive.


Jozan lake

Hoheikyo Dam was constructed in 1972 and stands at 102.5 meters tall. It was built, utilizing Toyohira river, for irrigation, for hydroelectricity and to control flooding. The reservoir created from the dam is called Jozan lake, which is surrounded by forest and high mountains. Located in Shikotsu Toya National park, the dam is in a designated environmental protection area, so cars, motorbikes, and bicycles are not allowed. To get from the car park to the dam there is a hybrid electric bus available, or it’s a 20 minute walk.


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Restaurant & lookout

For places to see in Hokkaido, Hoheikyo dam is a beautiful location, and during autumn, it’s a must see! The views of the autumn leaves are spectacular. The dam was voted as one of the top 100 waterside forests, and is also one of the top 100 lake dams as ranked by the Forestry Agency. The floodgates are opened between June and October from 9:00 to 16:00.  There is also a small lookout area above the dam, and for lunch , there is a Jingiskan (mutton) restaurant as well! At the far end of Hoheikyo Dam is a museum with  old photos and information (in Japanese) about the dam. It has a nice place to sit, with amazing views over Jozan lake. 


From the parking lot, to the dam it is about a kilometer.  There is a hybrid electric bus that runs every 10 minutes. The fare (round trip) for adults is ¥620 and ¥300 for children. Children up to 12 years old can ride for free. If you prefer, you can walk this road, which will take about 20 minutes. The road passes through 2 long tunnels but there is a good photo opportunity along the way, looking into the valley. 




WARNING!! To get to the dam requires your own transport or by public bus. The peak season in getting to Hoheikyo Dam is in October (for the stunning Autumn leaves). Getting to the dam from Sapporo will take ALL day during this month on the weekend! If possible, visit the dam during weekdays. Buses are available daily from Sapporo to Jozankei. From Jozankei to the dam, shuttle buses are available.