Day 1 | Morning
Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch
Opening Hours: New Year's Day 10:00-15:00, January 2nd - March 31st 8:30-16:30, April 8:30-17:00, May-October 8:00-17:00, 11 Month-December 30th 8:30-16:30, December 31st 8:30-15:00.
Ticket Price: 850 JPY
Recommended Length of Stay: 1-3 Hours
Location: 183 Showa Shinzan Sobetsu-cho, Usu-gun, Hokkaido
Showa Shinzan is named after the active volcano that erupted in the early years of the Showa era. Originally, the height of the mountain was only 270 meters. Later, due to the continuous activity of the earth's crust, the height of the mountain increased day by day, and now it is 398 meters above sea level. It is still a growing "new mountain" and is classified as a rare rock-tower-type volcano in the world. Geothermal white smoke can still be seen in the reddish-brown mountains. There are about 100 purebred Hokkaido brown bears in the Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch. The ranch area is large, and brown bears are divided into relatively fixed areas according to age groups. There is a food counter at the entrance to each ranch for the brown bears. Visitors can buy apples, biscuits and other foods here, and experience the fun of feeding bears. The brown bear, who has adapted to human beings, knows that people come to feed, and the appearance of coquetry is really cute. Some bears will stand on their hind paws and wave to you with their front paws when they see an apple in your hand, others will give you a bow, and some will simply lie on the ground and do some antics to attract you attention. In addition, if tourists want to get up close and personal with the naive brown bears, they can go to the "human cage" (special observation room) specially set up in the brown bear territory to experience it. There is only a small window between the man and the bear, and you can feel the shock of the brown bear and even feel its breathing.
Reviews from Real Guests:
Trip.com User: It is a place where I look forward to the release of the bear every year!
Day 1 | Afternoon
When time permits after visiting Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch, don’t forget pay a visit to Toyako Kisen.
Toyako Kisen
Opening Hours: Summer (late April to the end of October): 8:00-16:30, 30 minutes; winter (November - early April): 9:00-16:00, 60 minutes.
Ticket Price: 1420 JPY
Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Hours
Location: 29 Toyako Onsen, Toyako-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
The Lake Toya boat cruises around Nakajima, which consists of 4 islands. On the lake, you can listen to the sound of waves surrounded by Mt. Yotei, Showa Shinzan, Mt. Usu and nature, and feel the beauty of the four seasons. There is a large Japanese catamaran "Espoir" in the lake. The medieval shape looks like a dream castle floating on the lake. Fireworks viewing boats sail every night during the summer fireworks festival.
Reviews from Real Guests:
Trip.com User: There is no hampa when you take a boat and see fireworks!
Day 1 | Evening
After visiting the glorious Toyako Kisen, The Westin Rusutsu Resort nearby is the best place to stay.
The Westin Rusutsu Resort
Set in a prime location of Rusutsu, The Westin Rusutsu Resort puts everything the city has to offer just outside your doorstep. Offering a variety of facilities and services, the hotel provides all you need for a good night's sleep. Facilities like laundromat, convenience store, free Wi-Fi in all rooms, daily housekeeping, postal service are readily available for you to enjoy. Comfortable guestrooms ensure a good night's sleep with some rooms featuring facilities such as television LCD/plasma screen, air purifier, humidifier, towels, internet access – wireless. Entertain the hotel's recreational facilities, including canoe, hiking trails, mini golf course, ski equipment rentals, ski lessons. No matter what your reasons are for visiting Rusutsu, The Westin Rusutsu Resort will make you feel instantly at home.
Day 2 | Morning
Toyako Visitor Center
Opening Hours: Closed from 1/1-1/1;Open from 1/2-12/30,9:00am-5:00pm;Closed from 12/31-12/31
Ticket Price: 600 JPY
Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Hours
Location: 142-5 Toyakoonsen, Toyako-cho, Abuta-gun 049-5721, Hokkaido
The Volcano Science Museum focuses on the two volcanic eruptions in 1977 and 2000, and introduces the volcanic activity of Mount Usu that has been repeated several times through video, commentary, and motion-sensing devices. There is a visitor center here, which provides and displays the necessary information for local nature and closeness to nature.
Day 2 | Afternoon
After finishing the tour at Toyako Visitor Center, you can head to Irie Takasago Shell Mound, the most worth visiting place around the corner.
Irie Takasago Shell Mound
Ticket Price: 150 JPY
Recommended Length of Stay: 1.0-2.0 Hours
Location: 44 Takasagocho, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-560544 Takasagocho, Toyako-cho, Abuta-gun 049-5605, Hokkaido
After it was discovered in Showa 17 (1942), it was designated as a "National Historic Site" in Showa 63 (1988) after excavation and investigation, and it was renovated into a park. To the east of the shell mound is Mount Usu, and to the southwest you can see Uchiura Bay, mainly in the late Jomon period. In addition, in the Kaizuka Museum, excavated cultural relics such as tools used by the Jomon people, photos of excavation surveys, etc. are on display, so you can learn about the life of the Jomon period.
Day 2 | Evening
If you want to explore other popular attractions later, The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa Hokkaido is a suitable place for you to stay and refresh.
The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa Hokkaido
As one of the best appointed hotels for G8 Summit, The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa features natural environment and high level service. You can feel the beauty here in each season.
There are more than 380 luxury rooms and kinds of G8 Suite with good view of Toya lake or ocean. The French restaurant Michel Bras Toya Japon features 3 Michelin stars. Guest can taste kinds of delicacy in more than ten restaurants here.
The concept at Bloom SPA Toya is to help you reach peak physical and mental condition like a flower in full bloom found in Toya’s landscape. In a facility designed to provide guests relaxation from the soul, indulge yourself in a wide range of treatments.
Hotel offers activities like standard golf, mountain-biking, which guest can take part in to experience the fantastic nature.
Day 3 | Morning
Lake Tōya
Opening Hours: Lake Toya is open all day; the opening hours of the Toya Lake tourist ship: late April-October 8:00-16:30 (every 30 minutes); November -April 9:00-16: 00 (every 60 minutes)
Ticket Price: Free
Recommended Length of Stay: 0.5-1 Days
Lake Toya is an unfrozen lake at the northern tip of Japan, and it does not freeze in winter. Cherry blossoms bloom by the lake in spring, fireworks are set off at night in summer, and the forests are full of colors in autumn. Come here to take a boat cruise on the lake and watch sika deer on the island in the lake. There are many hot spring hotels in the hot spring street on the south bank of the lake. Lake Toya is located in the southwest of Hokkaido. It is a volcanic lake with beautiful lake water all year round. There are many lovely sika deer living on the island in the middle of the lake, and there is a forest museum, which can be taken on a sightseeing boat. On the south bank of the lake, there are sightseeing spots such as Lake Toya Hot Spring, Yousu Volcano and Showa Shinzan, which are good places for leisure and vacation. You can take the Toya Lake cruise boat in the Toyako Hot Spring Street to enjoy the scenery of the lake and mountains. You can see the Yuju volcano and Showa Shinzan to the south, and when the weather is fine, you can see the Mount Yotei, which looks like Mount Fuji, to the north. The cruise ship will stop at the middle island of the lake. After going to the island, you will see a forest museum, which displays the rich natural and biological information in the area of Lake Toya. Walking along the promenade to the depths of Nakajima, you can see many sika deer, which are very cute. The island is closed in winter, but you can still take a boat tour of Lake Toya. On the northwest bank of Lake Toya, there is a Siro Observatory, which is a good place to watch and take pictures of the panoramic view of Lake Toya. There is also a volcano science museum on the hot spring street, which uses smoke, video and sound to reproduce the scene of the volcanic eruption in 1977 for the audience. On summer weekends, there is a fireworks festival at Lake Toya, where you can enjoy the romantic view of fireworks blooming above the lake. In winter, the hot spring street also has a bright starlight passage, which changes the theme every year, which is very suitable for lovers to take a walk.
Reviews from Real Guests:
Trip.com User: To Hokkaido Heng to a two-food hot springs, to Toyadong two days and one night is the most powerful promotion! In addition to the perfect hot spring view at the Hot Spring Hotel, you can also take a boat trip to the lakeside. If you are lucky, you can see the peak of the sheep's foot and see many swan islands flying around the boat. It is a peaceful experience and this trip is very happy! Strongly promotes the tourists who love close, take pictures and hot springs!
Missfoodies: The fireworks convention will be held every year, on the shore of Dongye Lake, the fireworks are brilliant, enjoy the fireworks convention, and then go to the hot spring hotel next to it, so sigh!
Day 3 | Afternoon
After finishing the tour at Lake Tōya, you can head to Showa-shinzan, the most worth visiting place around the corner.
Showa-shinzan
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Ticket Price: Free
Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Hours
Location: Showashinzan, Sobetsu-cho, Usu-gun, Hokkaido
Showa Shinzan is an active volcano that erupted in the early years of the Showa era (20th century). The top of the mountain cannot be climbed, and tourists can only play and watch the volcano under the mountain. Showa Shinzan was originally only 270 meters high. Later, due to the movement of the earth's crust, the height of the mountain gradually increased, and it is now 402 meters above sea level. In the scenic area, there are also small scenic spots such as Zhushan Mountain Cable Car and Bear Paradise. From here, you can also see another active volcano in Hokkaido, Mount Usu.
Day 3 | Evening
Don’t forget to book Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono in advance, because all the tourists head to Showa-shinzan love staying at it.
Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono
Set in a spectacular natural landscape with stunning views across the Annupuri ranges and Mount Yotei, Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono is a true year-round mountain resort with spaces and guestrooms that are designed for enriching experiences in an environment of carefully curated art, cuisine and contemporary design. The exclusive Hanazono side of Mt. Annupuri is known for its exceptional powder snow, world-class skiing and snowboarding facilities, as well as Hanzono Golf course, natural onsen hot springs, abundant lush nature and majestic mountains. The hotel is approximately 2 hour drive from New Chitose Airport near Sapporo and a 10-minute drive from Kutchan train station. Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono combines 100 hotel guest rooms including nine suites with private semi-outdoor onsen baths, in addition to more than 80 residences, all with ski-in/ ski-out convenience. The hotel’s guest rooms all feature a large master bedroom, a separate living room with plush sofa convertible into an extra bed, a generous walk-in wardrobe and en-suite bathroom with rain shower and soaking bathtub. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows allowing guests to enjoy the breathtaking views. The hotel offers an extensive selection of cuisine, focusing on local produce from the land and sea, all made with culinary craftsmanship. The hotel’s six signature restaurants will feature Italian, Chinese, robatayaki, teppanyaki, as well as the Sushi and French terroir cuisine of Michelin starred chefs. In addition are private dining rooms, bars, lounges and wine cellars. The hotel features Spa offering a wide range of body and facial treatments. There are four single and two couple treatment rooms, a 25-meter pool, hot spring onsen baths as well as a Health Club.
* All reviews in the blog are machine-translated.