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.)
Tag Archives: 音声案内(多言語)コース
【Sapporo Afternoon Tour】Mt. Okura and Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill Tour (Multilingual Audio Tour)
This bus is compatible with multilingual audio system in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean, will take you to some of Sapporo’s famous highlights in a short amount of time.
You will view Odori Park from the bus as it travels through downtown toward the west and south. Side stops include Mt. Okura Ski Jump Stadium and Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, which allows you to visit two popular spots within a short time. From the bus you can enjoy viewing the Hokkaido Governor’s Official Residence tucked in a forest, Toyohira River which runs through central Sapporo and which is known for its fireworks display in summer, the sleek silver shape of Sapporo Dome and much more. Mt. Okura Ski Jump Stadium, located in Miyanomori, Sapporo, is owned by the city of Sapporo, and sits on the east slope of Mt. Okura 307 meters high. The Bakken record at the stadium is held at 145.0 and is a must see. At Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill where the bus stops for sightseeing, is the monument of famous professor “Clark.” In summer the city of Sapporo laid out beyond the green grassy fields is beautiful. The Clark monument is also rather large up close, and makes for a great photo opportunity. Take this opportunity to visit two of the most famous sightseeing spots most visitors go to, the Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill and Mt. Okura, on our Regular Sightseeing Bus.
【Sapporo Morning Tour】Shiroi Koibito Park and Central Wholesale Market Tour (Multilingual Audio Tour)
This course is operated with a multilingual audio system that provides explanations in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. All of the sights will be introduced within a short time. First we will visit “Mt. Okura Ski Jump Stadium.”
The bus will head for Mt. Okura Ski Jump Stadium. The ski jump stadium here is said to be the prince of all sports. It is said that the Baron Okura Kishichro heard the voice of the late Chichibu Prince, and commissioned the architectural design of the ski jump to Major General Olaf Helset of Norway. Numerous competitions have been held here and have contributed to the nurturing of many athletes. However, the ski jump was renovated in 1970 in preparation for the Winter Olympics which were to be held two years later, and became the stage for the 11th Sapporo Winter Olympics 90-meter ski jump venue. From the observation deck located at an elevation of 307 meters, the approach to the jump (runway), and the entire city of Sapporo and Ishikari Plains can be seen.
Once we leave the Mt. Okura Ski Jump Stadium, we will head to the Shiroi Koibito Park. At the Shiroi Koibito Park, you will be able to view the production line of the “”chocolate factory,”" the “”tudor houses”" of medieval Great Britain. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sapporo. Next door is the “”Miyanosawa Shiroi Koibito Soccer Field,”" home field of the Sapporo Consadole Soccer Team, and visitors can sneak peeks of their practice, or check out the “”Consadole Sapporo Collection House.”" After our visit at Shiroi Koibito Park, we will go to the Central Sapporo Wholesale Market.
