Toya Lake
Lake Toya-ko, which is situated in the southwestern part of Hokkaido, belongs to the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Repetitive volcanic activity in the early 20th century created a depression in the ground, giving birth to Lake Toya-ko as a result. This wide lake lies 200-500 meters below the outer rim of the crater. The active volcano that stands proudly near the lake with white smoke rising above it is Mt. Showa Shinzan. The volcano was elevated when the ground cracked during a huge earthquake in 1943. Toya-ko-onsen Hot Spring, which stretches out along the 43-kilometer diameter crater lake, is one of the best spa resorts in Hokkaido.
Lake Toya-ko is an ice-free lake. It never freezes even in winter when the temperature falls quite drastically. The beauty of this northernmost ice-free lake can therefore be admired anytime throughout the year. There is a little island called Nakano-shima in the middle of the lake and on it, there is Toya-ko Lake Forest Museum, which is a part of the sightseeing boat route. Trout and smelt fishing are very popular sports in and around the lake.
There are many places of interest around Lake Toya-ko including the Volcano Science Museum where they show visual images of the eruption that occurred in 1977 with a special sound system. There also camping sites that are well facilitated around the lake.
Noboribetsu
Noboribetsu in southwestern Hokkaido contains Noboribetsu-onsen, Karurusu-onsen, Noboritbetsu-rinkai-onsen Hot Springs, and has a rich variety of scenery including forests, lakes and marshes. It has been designated a part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park.
Noboribetsu-onsen is one of Hokkaido’s best-known hot springs, and is surrounded by virgin forest 200 meters above sea level. It has over 10 kinds of water, containing minerals such as hydrogen sulfide, salt, and iron. The quality of these minerals means the spa ranks among the world’s most exceptional hot springs.
The most impressive scene at the hot spring is Jigoku-dani Valley (hell valley), where yellowy gray volcanic gas is given off from the surface of the rocks. This makes the whole place smell strongly of sulfur, and gives it an image of hell. The valley is a 450-meter diameter volcano mouth, which produces 3,000 liters of hot water a day.
In the northeastern part of the hot spring grow many sorts of wide-leafed trees, including oaks and a bamboo grass called kumaizasa. This is called Noboribetsu Genshirin, or primeval forest, and has been designated a natural monument. Around Shiho-mine Peak to the west, there is a bear farm where you can see brown bears. From the mountain summit you can view Lake Kuttara-ko, whose clear water is the second most transparent in Japan.
