Mt. Tarumae

1,041-meter active volcano perched on the shores of Lake Shikotsu in Hokkaido's Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Its distinctive lava dome, formed during a 1909 eruption, sits in the crater like a natural crown and still emits wisps of sulfurous steam. The hiking trail from the seventh station to the crater rim takes about 50 minutes and is manageable for intermediate hikers, rewarding them with views of the deep blue caldera lake, the Pacific Ocean, and on clear days, Mt. Yotei in the distance. In early summer, alpine wildflowers blanket the slopes, while autumn brings fiery red and gold foliage to the surrounding forests. The trailhead is accessible by car from Tomakomai, about an hour south of Sapporo.