- Address: Lake Shikotsu, Chitose, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan
- Area: 983.03 sq. M. km
In Japan, the picturesque Shikotsu Toya National Park is located on the island of Hokkaido. The stunning nature and abundance of sights make this area one of the most visited in the prefecture.
Description of the protected area
The name of the park went from the volcanic reservoirs of Toia and Sikotsu, located in this area. The total area is 983.03 square meters. km, which is divided into several parts:
- in the north: the mountain range of Yoteyizan, the waterfall of Shiraito and the hot spring of Dziedzanka;
- in the southern part: the hot springs of Noboribetsu and Lake Kuttara;
- south-west side: Usudzan volcano , in which eruptions often occur, Toya reservoir and Seva Shinzan mountain (appeared in 1943 and is still growing);
- in the east: Lake Sikotsu and the active volcanoes Enivada and Tarumaezan together with the nearest caves.
In the territory of the National Park, trees grow, such as silver birch, Sakhalin spruce, Japanese oak and Edo spruce.
Lake Shikotsu
This is a non-freezing clean water body with an area of 77 square meters. km, which is surrounded by volcanoes. In these places are popular tourist trails, famous for their pristine nature. To the lake during the whole year with the pleasure come fishermen, because there are more than 10 species of commercial fish.
Hot springs near the pond look like a bath in the open air and are called rotenburo. Every traveler can swim in them. Not far from the east coast is the forest village of Sikocu kohan, where you can stay overnight, rent a bicycle or rent a taxi to move around the park.
Lake Toya
In the center of the reservoir is a small island, where there are various animals, for example, the deer Ezo. There are also hot springs in which visitors bathe all the year round. On the lake shore, you can rent a jet ski to explore the local surroundings.
The distance between the reservoirs is 55 km.
Volcanoes National Park
Before you visit one of the active volcanoes in Sikotsu-Toia, be sure to consult with local experts. After all, with a strong eruption, entire areas are urgently evacuated here. The last time it happened in 2000.
The most popular active volcanoes are Usu-zan and Seva Shinzan. They can be reached by a cable car and see a fiery crater. Still from here you can see picturesque panoramas to the park.
Safer volcanos are considered safer, for example, Yoteyizan. Last time it erupted more than 3000 years ago. On its top (about 2000 m) can only climb experienced climbers and tourists, accompanied by an instructor.
Features of visit
In the national park of Shikotsu-Toya you can get from different sides. Parking for visitors is free. At the entrance a map of the terrain is shown, which is easy to navigate, if you decide to travel independently.
For a fee you can hire a guide who will guide tourists to the main attractions. In total, several routes have been developed, depending on the complexity and duration. The most popular is called Tarumae-zan with a maximum height of 1038 m.
When going to visit the National Park, take with you warm and comfortable things, as well as raincoats, because the weather in the mountains is windy and unpredictable, often and rapidly changing.
On the territory of the park there is a cafe and a shop where you can eat delicious and hearty. A particularly popular dish is mushroom soup and pork ribs.
How to get there?
Sikotsu-Toia is located 35 km from the main Hokkaido airport , from which you can reach highway No. 36, then turn onto road 141 and follow to the sign with the inscription Mt Tarumae. The last kilometers are covered with a primer and go at an angle, so you need to be very careful.
On the other hand the park is bordered by the city of Sapporo , the distance is 10 km. By car you can reach the highway number 453.