Shikotsu-Toya National Park

Shikotsu-Tōya National Park (支笏洞爺国立公園 Shikotsu-tōya-kokuritsukōen) is a national park (983 km&sup2;) in the central part of the island of Hokkaido, Japan. Named after two large lakes, Shikotsu and Toya, there are also active volcanoes in the park. Showa-Shin-zan, Usu-zan, and Tarumae-zan are the better known among the active volcanoes. These volcanoes are also responsible for some popular onsens.

Understand
Surrounded by hills, the dominant feature is Mount Fuppushidake (風不死岳), an Ainu name cleverly written in kanji as "Wind-never-dies Peak".

The two lakes each has a lakeside hot spring town.

Visitor information
Ministry of Environment has  an official page for the park in English.

Get in


Sapporo's New Chitose Airport (CTS) is quite close to Shikotsu and there are direct buses to Lake Shikotsu (55 minutes, &yen;920), as well as from Hokkaido's capital Sapporo and the major port Tomakomai. There are also buses connecting Lake Toya to Sapporo (&yen;2700, 2½ hr).

Toya Station is located along the main Hakodate-Sapporo line, but it's another 20 minutes by bus from there to Toyako Onsen. A taxi ride to Toyako Onsen costs about ¥2200.

Fees and permits
No fees required. Permits not generally required.

Get around
As in much of Hokkaido, buses are infrequent, so your own wheels or hitchhiking are the best ways to get around. Motorized boats are, thankfully, not allowed on the lake. Sightseeing boats departing from Toyako Onsen offer cruises around the lake.

See












Do

 * In season, you can rent swan boats for paddling out on the lake Shikotse, there are also boats for rent on lake Toya.
 * Fishing is popular.

Onsen
Being a volcanic lake, there are a number of hot springs in the vicinity. Both hot springs below also offer lodging. Noboribetsu is here, and is one of the most famous hot spring resorts on Hokkaido. Toyako Onsen, as the name suggests, is also packed with Onsens.

Eat
Toyako Onsen town has the usual array of Japanese restaurants. There are some basic stalls near the Morappu Camping grounds as well.

Stay safe
You're in bear country. Don't feed the bears. Make noise and they'll avoid you if possible, they are usually more afraid of you.