Lake Toya

One of Hokkaido's two great caldera lakes, formed around 110,000 years ago and distinguished by the cluster of small islands, called Nakajima, sitting at its center. From the onsen hotels lining the south shore, you look across the water at those islands with Mt. Yotei in the background. Mt. Usu, the active volcano on the southern edge, has erupted eight times in the past 350 years, most recently in 2000, and one of its earlier eruptions is what created the hot springs that now warm the resort hotels. The combination of volcanic landscape, caldera water, and onsens makes this a particularly layered place to spend a night or two.