Lake Toya
Lake Toya, A Round Caldera Lake In Southern Hokkaido With A Central Island Group And Mount Usu Rising On The South, Ringed By An Onsen Town, A Cycling Path And Summer Fireworks Over The Water. A Getaway From Sapporo And A 2008 Summit Venue. · Toyako, Hokkaido
Lake Toya is a round caldera lake in southern Hokkaido, about 11 km across, inside Shikotsu-Toya National Park. It lies about 2.5 hours from Sapporo by bus or train and road, and has a hot spring town, Toyako Onsen, on its southern shore. A group of small islands, the Nakajima, sits in the middle, and Mount Usu, which erupted in 2000, rises on the south with the Showa-shinzan lava dome at its foot. A cycling path circles the lake, about 40 km, and fireworks light the water every night from April to October. In 2008 the G8 summit met at the Windsor Hotel on the heights above. It suits families, cyclists and anyone who wants a calm lake, mountain air and a hot bath after the city of Sapporo and its crowds. It is worth the detour for a night's stay and the volcano sites, and not worth it as a rushed side trip in poor weather, when the water and the mountains sit hidden under low cloud and mist.
Toyako Onsen town, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido, on the south shore of the caldera lake; about 2.5 hours by bus or train from Sapporo, Toyako, Hokkaido, Japan
The lake shore, paths and town are open at all hours. Boats, the Mount Usu ropeway and the volcano museums run on seasonal hours, typically from about 8:30 or 9:00 to late afternoon, and some close in winter or on stormy days - confirm. The nightly fireworks run from April to October, at about 20:45, and last around 20 minutes - confirm. From Sapporo, a direct bus or JR train via Toya Station and a short bus takes roughly 2.5 hours; IC cards may not work on rural buses, so carry cash. Book a hotel ahead in summer and fireworks season. Rental cars suit the lake loop.