Lake Toya – 4-8 Jul 2024

Getting to Lake Toya:

From Sapporo, the most convenient way to go there is by direct bus. Bus tickets must be purchased in advance either online or at Dōnan Bus Ticket Center. The bus stop is located nearby at Sapporo Eki mae.

Places of interest:

• Toyako Onsen 100th Anniversary Monument
• Toron Foot Bath:
  • Nice free hot foot spa facing the lake
• Chinkojima Park
• Mount Usu Eruption Memorial Park:
  • Relaxing walk along the lake shore while visiting some monuments and sculptures on the way
• Konpira crater disaster remains walking path:
  • 2.8km walking route that takes about 1hr 15mins to complete. Seeing places damaged by the last volcanic eruption back in 2000 is both interesting and horrific. Like a horror movie in a time capsule. But it's all real so definitely worth the walk. There is a side trail bringing you to Yu-kun crater. Mind you that parts of the route can be very muddy and slippery after rain. Make sure you have the right footwear on.

Restaurants:

• Wakasaimo Honpo Lake Toya main store:
  • You'll find souvenirs and snacks on the 1st level. The restaurant is located on the 2nd level. Food was good and value for money. Comfortable dining area with stunning panoramic Lake Toya view.
• Muroran Yakitori Ippei Toyako Store:
  • A small and cosy restaurant with average price range, i.e. not cheap. Dinner: 8 x pork & chicken yakitori + 2 x grilled prawns + 4 x pregnant fish + 2 rice balls + 1 red wine + plum liquor = 4,980 yen.
• Soup Curry mog mog:
  • We had chicken soup curry + vegetables soup curry for 1,580 yen each. Despite the raving reviews, the food was just mediocre. We've tried better soup curry elsewhere.
• 炭火ダイニングアペコロ:
  • We discovered this restaurant by mere chance. Skeptically we ordered pork (1,200 yen) + beef (1,800 yen) rice bowls. To our surprise, the well marinated meat was perfectly charcoal grilled with lingering smoky flavour yet delightfully tender. We highly recommend this restaurant. Must try!

Dessert:

• 岡田屋:
  • Old school desserts restaurant serving many different types of mochi, glutinous balls with sweet red beans, ice cream, etc. We just shared 1 bowl of rice cake soup with red beans (600 yen). Not too sweet and good.

Toyako Long-Run Fireworks Display:

• The night sky is filled with the fireworks over Lake Toya for about 20mins every night from 20:45. These fireworks are held for 6 months from the end of April to the end of October. Set off from a ship which moves about on the lake, you can watch and enjoy from anywhere in comfort.
• Dates: From the end of April to the end of October (start time: 20:45)

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