Hokkaido Package Tour: Lakes Shikotsu & Toya, Showa Shinzan
Discover Hokkaido's stunning Lake Shikotsu, nestled in a national park. Experience crystal-clear waters, charming village shops, and delicious local cuisine on your 2026 tour.
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Discover Hokkaido's stunning Lake Shikotsu, nestled in a national park. Experience crystal-clear waters, charming village shops, and delicious local cuisine on your 2026 tour.
Lake Shikotsu
Just over an hour from the airport,
we arrived at the magnificent Lake Shikotsu!
Nestled within Shikotsu-Toya
National Park,
this caldera lake is famous throughout
Japan for its crystal-clear waters.
It's the second deepest lake in the country, and remarkably, it never freezes, even in winter!
Born from volcanic activity, it's a true natural wonder.
In winter, an incredible ice festival is also held here.
Getting here is easy! You can hop on a limousine bus directly from the airport,
or take a combination of JR subway and local bus.
Stepping out, I immediately noticed the refreshing air – no humidity here!
A cool breeze made it feel like early autumn, not a hint of summer heat.
It's no wonder so many people flock to Hokkaido in the summer!
The charming shopping street is dotted with restaurants and shops,
mostly opening their doors around 10:30 AM.
Hokkaido is renowned for its delicious potatoes,
and at one particular spot,
they sell a famous and incredibly tasty potato cheese tteok (rice cake).
You'll find a delightful array of shops and
restaurants here, exuding a unique,
old-world charm that's quite distinct from Japan's bustling cities.
With sockeye salmon being a local specialty, there are fantastic fish restaurants,
alongside charming cake shops,
and even Genghis Khan lamb burger joints!
Plus, there's a handy tourist information center.
Lunch
For lunch, as part of our package tour,
we enjoyed a fantastic tempura set meal at a restaurant called Tongtong.
They also serve delicious seafood rice bowls!
We also got to eat premium ice cream...
It had a rich, creamy cheese flavor,
and was incredibly smooth – no surprise, since Hokkaido is famous for its amazing milk!
It was really rich, and the cone was delicate and cookie-like,
truly a different level of deliciousness.
This was easily the best ice cream I've ever had!
It cost around 1000 yen.
Which is a bit pricey, but absolutely worth every penny.
Our large group of 37 sat comfortably for lunch,
and we were given just under two hours to explore the beauty of Lake Shikotsu.
Doesn't it look incredibly tempting?
It truly was delicious!
The shrimp was wonderfully large,
and the tempura itself was perfectly crispy.
With sweet pumpkin, fish, lotus root, shrimp,
and even incredibly long asparagus,
it was a much more satisfying meal than I expected!
It seems like the quality of package tour meals has really improved.
The weather that day was absolutely perfect,
offering clear views of all the surrounding mountains.
And the clouds? Simply breathtaking, like something out of a painting.
I used my Ozmo Pocket 4 camera,
which is incredibly small and lightweight, making it super convenient for capturing all these amazing shots!
Because it's a lake, not the ocean, the waves are incredibly calm, so you can glide along in a duck boat, kayak, or even an amazing underwater sightseeing boat!
You can also stroll across this beautiful bridge,
It's truly hard to believe this is a lake!
The water shimmers with an incredible cobalt blue hue.
Lake Toya
After exploring the wonders of Lake Shikotsu,
we journeyed for about an hour to reach the magnificent Lake Toya.
Hokkaido is wonderfully vast,
meaning we embraced plenty of scenic car travel!
Nestled about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Shin-Chitose Airport
and around 2 hours from Sapporo city center,
this stunning Lake Toya is
generally
a round caldera lake.
In the heart of the lake lies Nakajima Island,
while to the south,
active volcanoes like Mt. Usu and Showa Shinzan majestically rise.
We decided to embark on a delightful journey aboard the Espoir, Lake Toya's scenic cruising boat!
Here are the details on pricing:
Adults (13 years and older)
1,600 yen
Children (6 ~ 12 years old)
800 yen
Boat Schedule:
Summer Season (Late April ~ Late October): 08:30 ~ 16:30, with departures approximately every 30 minutes,
each cruise lasting about 50 minutes.
Winter Season (November ~ Early April): 09:00 ~ 16:00, with departures approximately every 60 minutes,
each cruise lasting about 30 ~ 45 minutes.
Lake Toya Fireworks Festival
You can even enjoy the spectacle from the sightseeing boat,
and here's the best part – it happens EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!
Festival Period:
Late April ~ Late October
Every Night (a spectacular long-running event!)
Time:
Starts at 20:45 (8:45 PM),
lasting approximately 20 minutes.
Kindly note: It may be canceled in case of heavy rain.
Lake Toya Fireworks, Lake Shikotsu, Showa Shinzan, and Bear Ranch
Book Your One-Day Bus Tour Now!
Right at the entrance,
you'll find the Lake Toya promenade and
the sightseeing cruise,
perfectly set up for those picture-perfect moments, just like a framed masterpiece, featuring the promenade and the cruise boat.
As you sail on the cruise,
prepare to be captivated by breathtaking views of majestic Mt. Yotei,
charming uninhabited islands,
and
the serene Ukimido,
a beautiful pavilion seemingly floating on the water.
That stunning peak you see is
Hokkaido's Mt. Yotei, affectionately known as 'Mini Fuji.'
Locals say you need clear skies
and a stroke of luck
to truly witness its snow-capped grandeur.
We were even fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of Showa Shinzan too!
The seagulls were quite the characters! They were incredibly adept at catching Shrimp Crackers,
and we even saw them squabbling amongst themselves for the tasty treats.
Honestly, these gulls were bigger
and plumper than I expected, which made them a little intimidating up close!
Snack Bar
At the onboard snack bar, you can treat yourself to local delights like rich Hokkaido milk,
refreshing Sapporo Classic beer,
traditional Japanese sake,
mineral water,
Shrimp Crackers,
and apparently even fresh corn and potatoes!
Beyond the cruise, the area around Lake Toya is absolutely captivating!
You'll discover incredible accommodations where you can indulge in relaxing hot springs with stunning lake views,
and as you explore, you'll find various inspiring artworks dotting the landscape,
all the way to Usuzan Funka Memorial Park.
Showa Shinzan
After enjoying the serene beauty of the Lake Toya cruise,
we made our way to Showa Shinzan,
just a scenic 20-minute drive away.
Showa Shinzan is a truly remarkable lava dome
that dramatically emerged from a flat field between 1943 and 1945,
born from intense earthquakes and volcanic activity!
Its name perfectly encapsulates its origin: 'new mountain of the Showa era'.
Even today, you can witness ethereal wisps of steam rising from various spots on its reddish-brown surface,
a vivid reminder of its ongoing geological activity.
Designated as a natural monument,
we truly cherished observing its unique beauty from a respectful distance.
Right next to Showa Shinzan,
an exciting and highly recommended option is to take the Usuzan Ropeway!
From the summit of Mt. Usu,
prepare for breathtaking panoramic views that sweep across both Showa Shinzan and the expanse of Lake Toya.
Plus, there are charming souvenir shops
and even a playful bear farm nearby for more delightful experiences!
And just like that, our incredible first day of exploring wrapped up with unforgettable visits to these three fantastic spots!
Get ready for some golf and skiing fun!
Let's head over to Rusutsu Resort.
This post is getting a bit long,
So, let's continue in the next part!
According to the article, it takes a little over an hour to get from New Chitose Airport to Lake Shikotsu. You can travel from the airport by limousine bus or by JR subway and bus.
Lunch for the package tour is a Tempura set meal at the 'Tong Tong' restaurant. This restaurant also sells seafood rice bowls, and after your meal, you can enjoy a premium cheese ice cream for around ~$6.
The Lake Toya sightseeing boat 'Espoir' operates from 08:30 to 16:30 at approximately 30-minute intervals during the summer season (late April to late October). Each ride takes about 50 minutes.
The Lake Toya Fireworks Festival is held every night in a long-run format from late April to late October. It starts at 8:45 PM and lasts for approximately 20 minutes, and can also be viewed from a sightseeing boat.
Showa Shinzan is a lava dome formed between 1943 and 1945 by earthquakes and volcanic activity, causing a flat field to rise. Currently, you can see steam rising from various spots on the reddish-brown mountain surface, and it is designated as a natural monument.
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Sapporo Lake Toya & Lake Shikotsu Day Trip (with Fireworks) - Klook