Day Trip from Sapporo: Winter Lake Toya and Noboribetsu Jigokudani, with Optional Snowmobiling

A Winter Day from Sapporo Through Lakes and Volcanoes

Gaze at snow-covered mountains, take a break on the shores of Lake Toya, then spend the afternoon among landscapes shaped by volcanoes. This roughly 10-hour day trip lets you enjoy Hokkaido's nature as the scenery changes along the way.

Starting from Sapporo, you will visit Nakayama Pass, a snow activity site, Lake Toya, Mt. Showa-Shinzan and Noboribetsu Jigokudani. Guidance is available in English, Chinese and Japanese, and you can confirm your preferred language when you book.

The snowmobile ride and the bear park are optional extras, available to those who want them for an additional fee. Add the experiences that interest you to the time spent admiring lake and mountain views, and enjoy winter in Hokkaido.

First Stop: Nakayama Pass, in Search of Mt. Yotei

After leaving Sapporo, your first stop is Nakayama Pass. On a clear day, you can see Mt. Yotei, also known as "Ezo Fuji" (the Fuji of Hokkaido).

The snow-capped mountain looks different under a blue sky and on days when clouds drift past. Look out toward the distant mountain range and enjoy the start of your winter journey through Hokkaido.

Next, Snow Activities: Try a Snowmobile if You Like

Next, you head to the snow activity site. If you wish, you can join a snowmobile ride through the woods for an additional fee.

Riding between white-covered trees is a different kind of fun from watching the snowy scenery through the window. It is a thrilling moment for anyone who wants to add a little adventure to their sightseeing.

Whether the activity runs depends on snow conditions. If there is not enough snow for snowmobiling, the visit to the snow park will be replaced by a visit to Jozankei Futami Park.

On to Lake Toya: From the Observatory to the Lakeshore

After the snow activities, you head to an observatory overlooking Lake Toya. Look out over Nakajima Island floating on the lake and the surrounding mountains, and enjoy the expansive scenery that is so typical of Hokkaido.

Afterward, you will have free time for lunch and a stroll in the Lake Toya Onsen town. Lunch is at your own expense, so choose whatever you feel like eating and take a break.

After your meal, head down to the lakeshore as time allows. Seeing the lake from the water's edge, after viewing it from high above, gives you a different impression of the waves, the wind and the outlines of the distant mountains.

Afternoon at Mt. Showa-Shinzan: A Mountain Born of a Volcano

In the afternoon, you head to Mt. Showa-Shinzan, known for its striking reddish-brown slopes. The scenery shifts from the calm of Lake Toya to a landscape that lets you feel the power of the volcano.

If you wish, you can visit the Showa-Shinzan Bear Park for an additional fee. Along with the mountain views, enjoy some time observing the Ezo brown bears.

The Mt. Usu Ropeway is also nearby. If you would like to ride it, check in advance whether it fits within the time available on the winter itinerary. Ropeway tickets are an additional cost.

Finally, Noboribetsu Jigokudani: Snow and Rising Steam

The last stop of the day is Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley). Snow-covered slopes and steam rising from the valley create a landscape found only in volcanic areas.

Having just seen the blue waters of Lake Toya and the slopes of Mt. Showa-Shinzan, you will find the rugged terrain of Jigokudani all the more memorable. As you walk the accessible areas, take in the breadth of the valley and the steam vents.

After enjoying your time at Jigokudani, you will head back to Sapporo. On the way home, reflect on a day in which the scenery changed from mountains to snow, lakes and volcanoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

■ Which plan should I choose when booking? This article introduces the "Winter Only: Snow Paradise (Optional Forest Snowmobile Experience) & Lake Toya & Noboribetsu Comfortable Bus Day Tour." Please check the travel date and plan name before booking.

■ Is the snowmobile ride included in the price? No, it is not included. Those who wish to join pay an additional fee. Please check the fee, age requirements, conditions for driving or riding as a passenger, and the necessary gear in advance. If there is not enough snow, the visit to the snow park will be replaced by a visit to Jozankei Futami Park.

■ Are lunch and paid facilities included? Lunch, admission to the Showa-Shinzan Bear Park and Mt. Usu Ropeway tickets are at your own expense. For the ropeway, please also check in advance whether it can be used within the time available on the winter itinerary. This is not presented as a plan that includes an onsen (hot spring) bath.

■ Where and when do we meet? You will meet at a designated location in Sapporo. The meeting time, the guide's contact details and the vehicle number will be sent in a confirmation email after 3:00 p.m. on the day before departure. If you receive more than one notice, the latest one takes precedence.

■ Can children join? Infants aged 0 to 2 who do not use a seat are free, but you must notify the operator in advance. Please check the booking category for children and the snowmobile participation conditions separately.

■ What happens in bad weather? Depending on snow and road conditions, destinations may be changed, stay times shortened or stops cancelled. If the tour itself is cancelled because of bad weather, you can choose to reschedule or receive a refund.

Things to Check Before Booking

• The winter plan's operating dates and your preferred guide language
• The meeting place and time given in the confirmation email sent after 3:00 p.m. on the previous day
• The snowmobile surcharge and participation conditions, and whether paid facilities can be used
• Warm clothing, non-slip shoes, and the changes and cancellation conditions that apply in bad weather

Prices, itineraries and cancellation conditions are subject to change, so please check the latest information before booking.

Summary

From Nakayama Pass with its view of Mt. Yotei to the shores of Lake Toya, the reddish-brown slopes of Mt. Showa-Shinzan and the steaming Noboribetsu Jigokudani, winter in Hokkaido offers scenery that looks different at every stop.

Add a snowmobile ride if you like, and you will also have the memory of riding through a snowy forest. Whether you are gazing at the lake or marvelling at the volcanic landscape, every moment becomes part of a memorable day trip.

Why not add a day trip to your stay in Sapporo and fully experience Hokkaido's winter?

Check availability and details at Atama Daibutsu, Jozankei, Lake Toya & Noboribetsu Day Tour from Sapporo.