| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Grounds open all day |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0167-52-2115 (Travel Tourism) |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot, lavender blooms from late June to end of July |
| Location / Getting There |
The Lake Kanayama Lavender Fields are found on the shores of Kanayama Lake and are a great spot to get some good photos, and enjoy the gardens that have been made there. The lavender fields are in full bloom from the end of June and can be viewed until early August. Why not stop in while driving from Sapporo to Furano. The lavender gardens are nice in a beautiful area, and unlike other flower gardens in central Furano, they are not crowded and there is a lot of space to wander around at your leisure! What also makes these gardens unique, they overlook Kanayama Lake and have the mountains in the background making for the perfect backdrop.
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With plenty of parking, and just being right off route 465, the Lavender Fields are an easy spot to visit. Just make sure to bring the camera! There are a few benches plus a covered table so you can take a seat and enjoy the scenic views. It makes the perfect spot to have some lunch or a picnic. Behind the lavender fields on the other side of the road, there is the Kodakara Shrine. This quaint shrine is surrounded by forest. Though beware, the shrine is home to a huge ants nest and the ground is crawling with ants. So while sightseeing, you will have to move quick! The lavender fields are a few minutes walk away from Kanayamakohan Camping Ground so if you have the time, why not stay the night and relax.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | All day |
| Closed | November to April |
| Contact | 0142-66-4200 |
| Notes | Light walking trails, photography spot, parking available for 20, small shrine at park, plum tree viewing (mid May) |
| Location / Getting There | 12 minute drive east from Toyako Onsen. Heading east, the access road is on the right (with the lake on the left) 〒052-0104 Hokkaido, Usu District, Sobetsu, 町東湖畔 |
huge maps – google map here
Sobetsu park is a beautiful hilltop park that commands some of the best of views of Lake Toya. Not only can you see the lake in its glory, but there are views of the volcano, Mount Usu. And in good weather, you can see Mount Yotei and the Niseko mountain range in the distance. Sobetsu Park is most famous for its views during the spring. During mid May, the three hundred plum blossoms are in full bloom making the park a particularly popular spot for photographers from all over. You can get some great photos of the blossoms with the lake in the background!
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The park is huge and runs up the whole mountain and is adorned with a couple of sculptures. There is a narrow road that leads to the top where you can find parking for about twenty cars. Due to the winding road, it is inaccessible by bus. At the top, there are a few benches and tables and makes for a good picnic spot. Sightseers can also find a small shrine at the top here, which is surrounded, interestingly, by cut out steel swords and knives that have been placed on the fence. In the centre of the shrine, there is a warrior like statue. Sobetsu Park is a great place to take in the views!
| Admission | ¥300 adults ¥200 high school students ¥100 children Free for Toyako townspeople |
| Opening Hours | 10:30 - 16:30 |
| Closed | Mondays November to March |
| Contact | 0142-87-2525 |
| Notes | Local art gallery, parking available, wheelchair access |
| Location / Getting There | Located on the northern side of Lake Toya. 3 minute walk from Toya Mizu-no-eki (Toyasui Station). 35-17 Tōyakoonsen, Toyako, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 049-5721 |
The Toyako Art Museum is a small art museum that can be found by the northern shores of Lake Toya. The museum predominantly displays works from local artists. They have works from sculptors, painters, photographers, and writers. Inside the lovely rooms, there is a collection of first edition books, plus limited edition books from modern and contemporary writers. There is also works of the Village International Sculpture Biennale on display. Whilst looking at the artworks, viewers can also get nice views from the windows that look out directly across the lake.
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Throughout the year, the Toyako Art Museum holds a variety of events, including special exhibitions and mini concerts. Besides the Toyako Art Museum, you can also find a nice little park across the road. The park is home to a historical landmark, being the monument of Okubo Jinnojo. Okubo Jinnojo was a statesman, born in 1849 in Shikoku. He, among other things, used his money for pioneering Hokkaido, especially in the Toya district. To get to the museum and park, you can take a bus from Toyako Onsen bus terminal bound for Toya Mizu no Eki (Toyasui Station). Get off at Toyasui station and it’s a three minute walk from there.
| 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 |
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.
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot , parking available, rest rooms available, walking trails |
| Location / Getting There | Located along route 452 in the Ashibetsu province, between Yubari and Ashibetsu. 30 minute drive from Furano, 20 minute drive from Ashibetsu. 1 hour 30 minute drive from Sapporo. Ashibetsu, Hokkaido 075-0000 |
The path down to the falls
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The falls during summer
The river in question is the Ashibetsu River. It flows for sixty kilometres, and runs through to the city of Ashibetsu itself. The Sandan Falls can be found around halfway along the Ashibetsu river not far from the park. The falls can range from a small trickle to a raging torrent during spring after the snowmelt. The river is especially beautiful during the spring with a couple of cherry blossoms and in autumn with the foliage along the river. Sandandaki Park has restrooms next to the parking lot, and there are benches to take a seat and enjoy the view.
| Admission | Free admission |
| Opening Hours | All day |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0142-75-2446 |
| Notes | Walking 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
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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.
