A perfectly circular caldera lake on the Pacific side of southwestern Hokkaido, designated a UNESCO Geopark for the geological story written across its shoreline. Ryokan and hot-spring hotels run along the southern shore at Toyako Onsen, and on summer nights launch fireworks over the lake from a pier. Mt. Usu still smokes; its 1977 and 2000 eruptions are documented at the Volcano Science Museum, and a chairlift climbs to a ridge view of the active crater. The 1944 lava dome Showa Shinzan rose from a wheat field over two years and is still warm to the touch.
What Lake Toya is known for
Top-rated in Lake Toya
Mt. Usu
4.6nature
Overlook sparkling Lake Toya from the active volcano, Mt. Usu. From the base of the neighbouring Mt Showa-shinzan.
Lake Toya
4.6nature
Lake Toya serves as the hub of the vast Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Stunning scenery as far as the eye can see.
Mt. Usu Ropeway
4.3viewpoint
Six-minute cable car to a ridge above the Mt. Usu crater with views over Lake Toya, Showa Shinzan, and the Pacific.
Showa Shinzan
4.3nature
A red-brown lava dome that rose 290 meters from a wheat field over two years of eruptions starting in 1944.
Usu Zenko-ji Temple
4.2temple
One of the oldest temples in Hokkaido, dating to 826 AD.
Lake Toya Area Ecomuseum
4.2museum
Look at the large photo on this page.
Toyako Volcano Science Museum
4.1museum
Interactive volcano museum documenting the 1977 and 2000 Mt. Usu eruptions, with seismographs and a 4D theater.
Irie Site
3.9historic_site
Coastal Jomon archaeological site featuring well-preserved shell middens and bone tools.