Tag: Toya
Mt. Usu
General Admission | Ropeway ¥1600 - Adults ¥800 - Children |
Opening Hours | 8:30 - 17:00 (During winter, the ropeway stops 1 hour earlier) |
Closed | - |
Contact | 0142-75-2401 |
Notes | 400 car parking spots : ¥500 40 bus parking spots : ¥2000 40 minutes to Usu Observation deck Restaurants and shops at bottom of ropeway |
Location / Getting There | From JR Toyako station, take the Donan Bus bound for Toyako Onsen. (15 min.) Get off at the Toyako Onsen Bus Terminal. Change buses to Showa Shinzan and get off at last stop (15 min.) *No bus service to Showa Shinzan in winter. 2 and a half hour drive from Sapporo city. 184-5 Aza Showa Shinzan, Sobetsu-cho, Usu-gun, Hokkaido, Japan 052-0102 |
Mount Usu is an active stratovolcano in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Since 1900, it has erupted a total of four times. In 1910, in 1944 which created Shōwa-Shinzan, in 1977, and as recent as March, 2000. Mt. Usu is formed on the southern rim of the caldera which contains Lake Toya. Mount Usu and Shōwa-Shinzan are major tourist attractions in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. The best way to see the Shōwa-Shinzan peak and Mt. Usu is to take the cable car to the top. From here, it is a 10 minute walk to the viewing platform offering views looking down over Lake Toya, Shōwa-Shinzan, and the towns of Date and Toyako.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
The car park to get to the ropeway is just off Lake Toya. From here you can take the ropeway up. It takes about thirty minutes to get to the Observation Deck via the ropeway and after a short walk. If you want to explore further, there is a path that leads further down into, and around, the Usu Crater Basin. It is a nice hike along the path, though it will take an extra hour heading down and back. It is a long flight of stairs down to the path along the craters edge, so bring some water! The path around has some stunning views along the coast. Inside and outside the crater you can see the volcanic steam vents coming through the surface.
After taking in some spectacular views, you can make your way back to the ropeway and head down to the “Volcano Village” next to the car park, which lies at the bottom of Mt. Usu and Shōwa-Shinzan. Here you can find a half dozen restaurants, toilet facilities, souvenir shops, and information centers, and a museum. The Information center has information on what to explore in the area. There is also an eruption experience room using sounds and images. There is also a theater with a film on the history of Mt. Usu. The gallery, here too, has panels with images on the area.
Restaurant Funka-tei 9:00 - 15:00 Soba noodle and curry restaurant
Volcano Ramen 10:00 - 15:00 Ramen noodle shop
Village Store
Shopping9:00 - 18:00 Summer
9:00 - 16:00 WinterSouvenir Shops
Hinokuniya
Honpo Shopping9:00 - 19:00 Summer
9:00 - 16:00 WinterSouvenir Shops
Rai Yumeto no Ie Onsen
Onsen Admission | ¥420 Adults ¥140 Children ¥70 Infants |
Restaurant Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥600 |
Opening Hours | 10:00 - 20:30 April - October 10:00 - 19:00 November - March |
Closed | Tuesdays during July and August |
Contact | 0142-66-7022 |
Notes | Parking available Udon noodle restaurant Busy during summer months |
Location / Getting There | Located on the east edge of Lake Toya, across from Nakatoya Hot Springs Campground 30-11 Nakatōya, Sōbetsu-chō, Usu-gun, Hokkaidō 052-0105 |
The Rai Yumeto no Ie Onsen (meaning Dreamers House in English) is a small hot spring building located across from Nakatoya Hot Springs Campground. During the summer this onsen is a popular spot for the campers there. On the off season, its quieter and still a great place to freshen up, relax in the onsen waters, or to fill up on bowls of udon noodles at the restaurant there. The building itself has a rustic feel. The wood used to make this onsen comes from two hundred year old Finnish pine imported along the Siberian railroad and shipped across.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
The onsen has seven washrooms and is segregated. They also have hairdryers, shampoo, body soap available. Towels are also available to purchase and there is a massage machine that can be used. Everything to clean up and relax. There is a small udon restaurant in the building. Here you can order a variety of hot udon noodle dishes which will satisfy hungry customers. The onsen also has information and pamphlets on what to do around the Toya area, so it acts as a tourist site as well!
Boyotei Restaurant
From its humble and early beginnings, Boyotei Restaurant has become a popular spot to enjoy a nice lunch or coffee in the surroundings of Lake Toya. Originally starting out as a small coffee shop in 1946, it has become a cozy, tavern like restaurant that serves up some delicious Western fare. There is plenty of seating in the rustic setting for couples and groups (for larger groups it is better to book ahead). It is located near a few of the sightseeing spots south of the lake, such as the Mt. Usu Memorial Park, and the G8 Summit Memorial.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
Catering for overseas visitors, the menu comes in a range of languages. The menu has a selection of hamburg steaks and vegetables, a pork dish, a pasta dish, fish, and arguably one of the best omelette and rice (om rice) dishes in Hokkaido! All meals have a soup, rice, and coffee option. For a course meal, Boyotei Restaurant has a few options ranging from the ‘special course’ at ¥2300 to the ‘royal course’ at ¥8000. While at Lake Toya, and looking for a nice lunch, Boyotei Restaurant is a great option!