Enjoying Two of Hokkaido’s Representative Beautiful Lakes

When it comes to natural tourist spots on the western side of Hokkaido, besides the grasslands of Furano and Biei, and the Taisetsu Mountains, lakes such as Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya are noteworthy. On this tour departing from and returning to Sapporo, you can circumnavigate these representative lakes of Hokkaido in a private vehicle with a guide. Tourist spots in Hokkaido often have poor transportation access, but this tour allows you to efficiently enjoy the splendid nature all in one day.

Lake Shikotsu is a lake surrounded by forests, located about 45 km south of JR Sapporo Station. This caldera lake was formed by an ancient volcanic eruption, has a circumference of about 40 km, and a depth of 363 m. Lake Shikotsu is highly transparent, and, alongside Lake Mashu in eastern Hokkaido and Lake Baikal in Russia, it is said to have very clear water.

Lake Toya is a caldera lake located about 70 km southwest of Lake Shikotsu by car. The lake is known for its beautiful scenery, with a circumference of about 50 km. In 2008, the 34th G8 Summit was held at a hotel on the shore of this lake. Mount Usu is an active volcano located to the south of Lake Toya. You can take a ropeway to the summit and enjoy the magnificent views of Lake Toya and other scenic spots in Hokkaido.

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