| Cost per night | ¥2000 large tent ¥700 small tent |
| Open | April - November |
| Closed | Winter |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | Lakeside 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.
| Admission | Free admission |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0142-82-5111 |
| Notes | Parking 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.
| Things to see | Mt. Usu Toyako Onsen Toyako Visitor Center Tōya Lake Forest Museum |
| Notes | Walking trails, Onsens, National park, Camping grounds |
| Getting There | Take 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.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | From the middle of May to the end of October 9:00 - 16:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-598-2513 Jozankei Dam museum http://jozankei.jp/en/jozankei-dam/288 |
| Notes | Free 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!
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | All day |
| Shuttle bus hours | 8:45 - 16:00 Adults ￥620, Children ￥300 |
| Contact | 011-598-3452 |
| Notes | Peak 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.
| Admission | Overnight - Adults - ¥800 Elementary School Kids - ¥500 Infants over 4 yrs - ¥300 Infants under 4 yrs - free *Just for the day it is ¥200 cheaper |
| Opening Hours | Administration : 9:00 - 17:00 |
| Closed | "Early" October - April 27th (Winter)* |
| Contact | PH : 0123-25-2201 FAX : 0123-25-2202 |
| Notes | Car needed Free parking available Toilets & amenities on site Camping gear NOT available to rent BBQ equipment available to rent Wheelchair access *Closing date changes yearly. Date is NOT decided until just before end of season. |
| Location / Getting There | Lake Shikotsu (Shikotsu-ko) Take route 453 from Sapporo - turn right onto route 276. Take route 16 from Chitose and turn onto route 453. |
Hows the serenity
Morappu Campsite is located on the southern shores of Lake Shikotsu, which makes it a serene place to camp out under the stars and next to clear, calm waters. Getting to the campsite, you will need transport. It takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Sapporo and about an hour from Chitose by car. Simply get onto to route 453. Follow this road until you get to route 276. Turn right onto route 276 and follow this road for about 10 minutes, the campsite entrance is on the right. The entrance is on a a bend and can be missed so keep an eye out for the signs.
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Lots to do on the lake
There is plenty of space to camp along the shores though its best to get there early, especially in the peak season (mid August). Upon entering the site, there will be an administration building where you will need to pay to enter. If the building is closed you can still go in and pay the next day. There is parking for up to 150 cars. Once in, there are carts to help you move your gear to the lake shore.
The campsite is along the shore of pebbles of the lake, so something comfortable to sleep on, is advised. Extra equipment is NOT available to rent, ONLY basic BBQ equipment such as grill and coal. All other equipment must be supplied by yourself. Other facilities include toilets that are well kept, a restaurant during the day, vending machines, and the rental shop.
Choose your swan!
The deep waters are crystal clear and stay at a cold temperature all year round, perfect for cooling off in the summer. The waters are also popular for fishing, canoeing and paddle boarding. There are boats and swan paddle boats available to rent. To rent a boat it cost ¥1000 per hour, and fits up to 2 people. To rent swan paddle boats for 3 people, it costs ¥1500 for 30 minutes, and for 4 people it’s ¥2000 for 30 minutes. The lake is 78 square km so there is a lot space to roam!
