From
From
Discover Lake Toya and Shōwa-shinzan, two iconic Hokkaido attractions. Enjoy
breathtaking views of clear waters and meet adorable bears at Showa Shinzan
Bear Ranch.
The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not
reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before
booking.
— What You Can Expect —
Lake Tōya
Lake Tōya, located in southwestern Hokkaidō, is part of Shikotsu-Tōya National
Park. In the early 20th century, frequent volcanic eruptions caused land
subsidence, which formed the lake. Because the lake’s wide surface and the
relatively low surrounding somma volcano (only 200–500m above the lake), it
gives a vast and open impression. The lake never freezes in winter, making it
the northernmost non-freezing lake in Japan, with clear and beautiful waters
rippling year-round.
Shōwa-Shinzan Bear Ranch
Shōwa-Shinzan is an active volcano that erupted in the early Shōwa era, hence
its name. Originally only 270 meters high, the mountain grew continuously due
to diastrophism and now stands at 402m. It is still growing and is classified
as a rare volcanic lava dome. White geothermal steam can still be seen rising
from its reddish-brown slopes.
The Shōwa-Shinzan Bear Ranch is home to about 100 purebred Hokkaidō brown
bears. The spacious ranch is divided into separate areas by age groups. Having
become accustomed to humans, the bears feel at ease to show their cutest side.
Visitors can observe them up close in a special viewing room separated only by
a small window, close enough to feel their power and even their breath.
Noboribetsu Jigokudani Valley
Noboribetsu Jigokudani Valley is a volcanic crater formed by past eruptions,
creating a mysterious and otherworldly landscape. It is not only the symbol of
Noboribetsu Onsen but also one of the most popular tourist attractions. With
more than ten types of unique hot springs, it is often called a “department
store of hot springs.”
The air is filled with the strong scent of sulfur, creating an hell-like
atmosphere. Despite its barren land, the valley produces spring waters with
special therapeutic effects, yielding as much as 3,000 liters per minute, the
largest source in Noboribetsu. The spring waters vary in quality depending on
the location, with as many as 11 types. Local people have been utilizing these
magical land for over a century.
Lake Shikotsu
Lake Shikotsu is a caldera lake with a 40-kilometer shoreline, surrounded by
steep mountains such as Mount Eniwa and Mount Tarumae. At 360 meters deep, it
is the second-deepest lake in Japan. Thanks to strong water circulation, the
lake rarely freezes even in winter, making it the northernmost non-freezing
lake in the country.
Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo Kitahiroshima
Mitsui Outlet Park Kitahiroshima is the largest outlet shopping mall in
Hokkaidō, bringing both international and Japanese brands to make a paradise
for shopping! It also offers a wide variety of food options, specialty
souvenir shops, and even a Chaso Moritaen matcha store. Local Farm Shops,
selling fresh seafood, seasonal produce, and unique Hokkaidō condiments.
It’s a perfect place for both food lovers and shopaholics, making your trip
full of surprises and flavors.
Cape Chikyū (summer only)
Cape Chikyū takes its name from the Ainu word for “cliff.” The cape’s
lighthouse stands 131m tall, with light reaching 25 nautical miles. First lit
in 1920, the beam could reach as far as 44km and has been fully automated
since 1991.
Cape Chikyū is also located along a migratory route and serves as a breeding
ground for falcons. It was once voted the No. 1 scenic natural spot in
Hokkaidō by the Asahi Shimbun, and quickly rose to national fame as a top
sightseeing destination.
Lake Tōya Sairo Observatory
Located on the western shore of Lake Tōya, the Sairo Observatory offers
panoramic views of Lake Tōya, Nakajima Island, Mount Usu, and Shōwa-Shinzan.
Here, visitors can enjoy not only the breathtaking scenery but also local
Hokkaidō treats, including rich cream and silky yogurt made from the freshest
milk, as well as the famous “Balloon Milk Pudding”, a must-try sweet that is
light and delicious.
Lake Tōya Onsen Town
After lunch in the Lake Tōya Onsen Town, don’t miss the chance to relax in
free footbaths and hand baths nearby (bring your own towel!). In winter, the
warmth feels especially soothing. On clear days, you can also see Mount
Yōtei—nicknamed “Ezo Fuji” for its resemblance to Mount Fuji, making for
stunning photos. Along the lakeside, you’ll also find many art installations,
perfect for relaxing strolls and photos.
Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival (seasonal event)
Lake Shikotsu, located in western Chitose within Shikotsu-Tōya National Park,
has an average depth of 265 meters and a maximum depth equal to the height of
Tokyo Tower. It is the largest lake in Hokkaidō, formed some 30,000 years ago
from volcanic activity, and is Japan’s second-deepest lake as well as the
northernmost non-freezing lake.
In summer, it serves as a habitat for migratory birds and is popular with
birdwatchers. In October, the lake is surrounded by stunning autumn foliage,
and the sunsets are spectacular. The annual Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is a
must-see winter event. Using sprinklers, water from the lake is sprayed and
frozen into various ice structures. By day, they sparkle in the natural “Lake
Shikotsu Blue.” At night, colorful illuminations transform them into a magical
wonderland.
— Itinerary —
April 1 - October 31:
November 1 - March 31:
Other Recommended Hokkaido Itineraries:
*Please note that the itinerary may vary in attractions and order depending on the season
Depart from the lobby on the first floor of Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel
Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel 1F lobby map
Please look for the "Easy Go" flag at the meeting point
Depart from the Sapporo TV Tower Information Center
(Summer only) Cape Chikyu [Approx. 25 minutes, April 1- October 31, 2025]
Toya Lake SAILO Observatory [Approx. 25 minutes]
Experience the vibrant colors of Lake Toya in autumn, as the landscape transforms with stunning autumn leaves
Toya Lake Onsen Street [Lunch at own expense, approx. 70 minutes]
Showa Shinzan [Approx. 40 minutes]
Experience the beauty of Shōwa-shinzan in winter, with snow-covered landscapes
Jigokudani (Hell Valley) [Approx. 35 minutes]
(Summer only) Lake Shikotsu [Approx. 35 minutes, April 1- October 31, 2025]
Winter Itinerary: Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo-Kitahiroshima (Only during November 1, 2025 - January 30, 2026 & February 24, 2026 - March 31, 2026, stay about 90 minutes)
*If business hours are adjusted (shortened or temporarily closed), the tour will skip this attraction. The stay time at other attractions will be extended accordingly
Winter Tour: Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival (Only during January 31, 2026 - February 23, 2026, stay about 60 minutes)
Return to Sapporo city
— Tour Conditions —
— Travel Planning/Implementation —
Hokkaido Nature Tours
SGD 82.61
Nice experience enjoying the sights and sounds. Lisa and her assistant were very helpful through the trip.
Shao-san was our guide for the day. Tour was conducted in Japanese, Chinese and English all by himself. Most scenic stops are between 30 - 60 mins. The highlight of the trip was Noboribetsu Jigokudani Valley and Lake Toya. The lunch queue (Lake Toya stop) was longer as there were some restaurants that close on Monday. To maximize my time at Lake Toya, I bought lunch from convenience store instead and had it by the lake. The tour may feel rushed but reasonable given the number of stops in the itinerary. There were sufficient stops for toilet break too. Useful for traveler with limited time, save the hassle of navigating the public transport and language barrier. It was an enjoyable trip.
I don’t recommend this tour at all. The tour had several unnecessary stops (observatory, bear ranch) that offered no value and you have only 20-30 minutes at each stop which was a mad rush. Not recommended if you’re with seniors or kids. The only upside to this tour is that transport is covered, but I would rather take public transport next time to visit select locations (Noboribetsu, Lake Shikotsu) with ample time to breathe and enjoy the trip. The tour guide, while a nice person, conducted the tour in English and Mandarin, but he had an astonishingly poor command of the English language. It’s quite bewildering that he was assessed to be a qualified guide with the language gap. Also, he made several biased culturally insensitive comments about other nations and nationalities. Very unprofessional of a guide. The narrative should be kept to descriptions of the place we went to or passed by.
This is actually an excellent tour but I am not giving it five stars for the following reasons: 1. Pelago does a terrible job with the voucher it sends to customers. The one I received seemed to be an AI translation of what the agency provided in Chinese. My voucher included a map which was not meant to show the meeting point at all. There was no way to contact the agency/ guide ahead of the tour to seek clarifications. 2. The guide on my tour was great. Although she was bilingual, she spoke in her native Mandarin most of the time and sort of gave only summaries in English. This was not a problem for me but I felt the Westerners were shortchanged. In terms of what the tour covers, I have no complaints - many scenic sights to provide content for Instagram.
Great seeing those scenic views and take photos. But don’t expect you would be able to hang arounf for a long time. if you want to chill, this isn’t for you. If yoy want to take photos of those places and pack them all in one day, this is for you.
Good and very helpful guide. Pacing of the tour is just right and at times felt rushed.