As you drive through the endless old growth forests, the road opens up to the beautiful blue “”Lake Shikotsu”" surrounded by lush nature. The ice-free (does not freeze during the winter) Lake Shikotsu is Japan’s northernmost lake of its kind. It has also been recognized by the Ministry of Environment as one of the most cleanest and clearest lakes in the nation. Nearby is Lake Toya, a large caldera lake created during a violent eruption over 100 thousand years ago. It is also surrounded by rich flora and is the habitat for a wide variety of fauna.
We will have lunch at Toya Kohantei that sits on the shores of Lake Toya.
After we leave Lake Toya the bus will head to Mt Usuzan, the first in the world to be inducted as a “”geopark”" in August, 2009. The geopark has nature paths that are guided by signs and other support systems in place so that visitors can truly understand and enjoy earth’s beauty. There is a Geopark Network that is supported by UNESCO, which has inducted over 58 locations across 18 countries, as geoparks. The Lake Toya-Mt. Usuzan Geopark is the 59th to be inducted into the network. Visitors will be able take in the beauty of this park via the Mt. Usuzan Ropeway.
This course takes visitors to two of Hokkaido’s most popular lakes in just one day.
During the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival (February 1st to February 24th), you can take an optional tour of the Ice Festival. (The tour fee is at your own expense.)
Meals are not included on March 6th and 7th. You will have free reign to eat. (There will be a 50-minute meal time at Mushroom Kingdom.)
C
Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya Winter Tour (Multilingual Audio Tour)
| Operation Period | Nov. 5 - Dec. 27, 2024, Jan. 5 - 10 2025, Jan. 25 - Mar 31 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 9 hours 58 min (9 hrs and 48 min between Mar 6 and Mar 7) |
Distance | 243km |
| Embarkation Point/Departure and Arrival Times | |||
| Sapporo Station Dep. 8:20 Arr. 18:18（Excludes Mar. 6, Mar. 7） Dep. 8:20 Arr. 18:08（Mar. 6, Mar. 7） |
|||
| Adult | 9,300yen |
|---|---|
| Child | 5,900yen |
Mar. 6, Mar. 7
| Adult | 6,800yen |
|---|---|
| Child | 3,400yen |
*This includes Lunch（Excludes Mar. 6, Mar. 7） and Usuzan Ropeway fare
*This course is operated through a multilingual (Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean) audio system. A guide will accompany the tour but will not explain the sights.
*Reservations for regular sightseeing buses must be made 3 months in advance, so reservations for courses without lunch (3/6 and 3/7) must be made from December 1st.
Scheduled to be in operation again this year. Experience the majestic beauty of “Lake Shikotsu,” spectacular nature of Lake Toya, and Mt. Usu which was registered as a World Geopark, all in one day!
Itinerary
Nov. 5 - Dec. 27, Jan. 5 - Jan. 10, Jan. 25 - Jan. 31, Feb. 25 - Mar. 31（Excludes Mar. 6, Mar. 7）
| 8:20 | Sapporo Station |
|---|---|
| Sapporo Minami IC | |
| Chitose IC | |
| 10:08～10:40 | *①Lake Shikotsu(free time (The lake cruiser is suspended and cannot be boarded)[32 min] |
| 11:25～11:50 | Mushroom Kingdom Otaki Branch(rest) [25 min] |
| 12:35～13:20 | Toya Kohantei (lunch/Shopping)[45 min] |
| 13:30～15:00 | *②Mt. Usuzan Ropeway (ride on the ropeway), Showa Shinzan Bear Farm( free time to explore)[90 min] |
| 15:25～15:45 | Silo Observatory [20 min] |
| Via Highway Route 230 | |
| 16:45～17:00 | Nakayama Pass (rest) [15 min] |
| 17:25 | Jozankei Hot Springs(Hotel Milione)(D/O possible) |
| 17:45 | Apa Hotels and Resort Sapporo (Kawazoe 5 Jo 2 chome stop) (D/O possible) |
| 18:00 | Sapporo Park Hotel (D/O possible) |
| 18:02 | Hotel MYSTAYS Premier Sapporo Park (D/O possible) |
| 18:03 | Jasmac Plaza Hotel (D/O possible) |
| 18:05 | Susukino (Minami 4-JO) (D/O possible) |
| 18:10 | Sapporo Clock Tower (D/O possible) |
| 18:18 | Sapporo Station |
Feb. 1 - Feb. 24(During the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival)
| 8:20 | Sapporo Station |
|---|---|
| Sapporo Minami IC | |
| Chitose IC | |
| 10:08～10:55 | *①Lake Shikotsu(free time) (If you wish to visit the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, you may do so on your own.)[47 min] |
| 11:40～12:00 | Mushroom Kingdom Otaki Branch(rest) [20 min] |
| 12:45～13:30 | Toya Kohantei (lunch/Shopping)[45 min] |
| 13:40～15:05 | *②Mt. Usuzan Ropeway (ride on the ropeway), Showa Shinzan Bear Farm( free time to explore)[85 min] |
| 15:30～15:45 | Silo Observatory [15 min] |
| Via Highway Route 230 | |
| 16:45～17:00 | Nakayama Pass (rest) [15 min] |
| 17:25 | Jozankei Hot Springs(Hotel Milione)(D/O possible) |
| 17:45 | Apa Hotels and Resort Sapporo (Kawazoe 5 Jo 2 chome stop) (D/O possible) |
| 18:00 | Sapporo Park Hotel (D/O possible) |
| 18:02 | Hotel MYSTAYS Premier Sapporo Park (D/O possible) |
| 18:03 | Jasmac Plaza Hotel (D/O possible) |
| 18:05 | Susukino (Minami 4-JO) (D/O possible) |
| 18:10 | Sapporo Clock Tower (D/O possible) |
| 18:18 | Sapporo Station |
Mar. 6, Mar. 7
| 8:20 | Sapporo Station |
|---|---|
| Sapporo Minami IC | |
| Chitose IC | |
| 10:08～10:40 | *①Lake Shikotsu(free time (The lake cruiser is suspended and cannot be boarded)[32 min] |
| 11:25～12:15 | Mushroom Kingdom Otaki Branch(rest) [50 min] |
| 13:05～14:50 | *②Mt. Usuzan Ropeway (ride on the ropeway), Showa Shinzan Bear Farm( free time to explore)[105 min] |
| 15:15～15:35 | Silo Observatory [20 min] |
| Via Highway Route 230 | |
| 16:35～16:50 | Nakayama Pass (rest) [15 min] |
| 17:15 | Jozankei Hot Springs(Hotel Milione)(D/O possible) |
| 17:40 | Apa Hotels and Resort Sapporo (Kawazoe 5 Jo 2 chome stop) (D/O possible) |
| 17:50 | Sapporo Park Hotel (D/O possible) |
| 17:52 | Hotel MYSTAYS Premier Sapporo Park (D/O possible) |
| 17:53 | Jasmac Plaza Hotel (D/O possible) |
| 17:55 | Susukino (Minami 4-JO) (D/O possible) |
| 18:00 | Sapporo Clock Tower (D/O possible) |
| 18:08 | Sapporo Station |
- *① The Lake Shikotsu Cruise Boat is not in service and will not be available.
The Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center will be closed every Tuesday between Dec. 1 - Mar 31. (If Tuesday is a holiday it will be closed the next day, and it will be open during the Hyoto Festival.) (This is subject to change.)
Show your Regular Sightseeing bus ticket stub at Restaurant memere (restaurant and gift shop), and get 10% off on meals and souvenirs. (Not applicable to some items, Memer is closed irregularly.) - **Hyoto Ice Festival (Feb. 1 - Feb. 24) is optional, but due to limited to only 47 minutes, so if you plan to visit the festival, please be sure to meet back at the bus on time.
If you decide to check it out, there will be an extra admission fee: adults ¥1,000, Elementary school students and under free. - *②Though there is a footpath to the summit of Mt.Usu, it is wise to wear clothing and shoes that are easy to move and walk in.
You can get discount ticket for Brown Bear Zoo with showing your bus stub. (Adult:\900→\800 Child: \500→\400).
If the ropeway is closed due to strong wind or inclement weather, you will receive a token of your trip to the ropeway , and will visit the Brown Bear Zoo instead. (subject to change.)
- *This course may be cancelled in the event that the expressway or Bifue Pass closed due to heavy snowfall.
昼食
Toya Kohantei
【Ichino-Ju】
Funka Bay Right eye, tuna, salmon, Botan shrimp, Sliced daikon radish, Noguchi Kanko's original two kinds of pickles, pickled radish in sake lees, spicy squid and scallions
【Nino-Ju】
Hokkaido roast beef with onion sauce, Ciel macaroni (shell-shaped macaroni) salad, boiled fish, broad beans and shrimp with Futami-oshi, seasonal vegetables with sesame dressing
【Fire Gourmet】
Grilled Funka Bay scallops - crispy with soy sauce and butter
【Local Meat Dishes】
Toyoura Pork Chilled Shabu Salad with Toyako Red Shiso Sauce
【Meal】
Nameko Soup and Kohantei Original Crab Rice
【Dessert】
3 types of cake (small) and 1 type of fruit
*Photo is for illustrative purpose only.
*Please be aware that some of the menu content is subject to change.
Schedule Calendar
| SUN | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 | 31 | ||||
※Colored days are operating days.
Special Notes
◎Tour will be cancelled when there is no reservation by 18:00 the day before. *(In some cases the time will be shortened to earlier than 18:00 for some courses.)
◎Tour time at each facility will depend on traffic that day, the number of passengers and other factors.
◎Arrival time for this course may be earlier depending on whether or not the facility is open or not, or limitations on tours.
◎Please note that the buses may be delayed due to inclement weather or traffic conditions, so please allow ample time for transfers to other means of transportation.
◎The tour may be cancelled due to disasters or other unavoidable circumstances, so please be sure to contact us about whether the tour is in operation during unusual weather.
※The Hokkaido Chuo Bus [Regular Sightseeing Bus] runs in the Central Hokkaido area.
