Things to see and do Hokkaidō

In the small town of Onuma is the eponymous quasi-national park, a park surrounded by lakes, mountains and forests. It was established in July 1958 and covers 90.83 km². It is highly recommended to visit in autumn when all the trees are in their warmest colours. A momiji festival is held during this period. You can also go climbing, cycling, canoeing, skiing and of course hiking.

The lake is surrounded by several volcanic peaks. In the north, Mount Ewina-Dake culminates at 1320 m. To begin the ascent, it is necessary to go to Poropinai, near the stop of Tozan-guchi (entrance of the ascent). It is necessary to walk a little (4 h) to find the real beginning of the paths. The view on the mountains and the lakes is sublime. For the return trip, a bus leaves from the Tozan-guchi stop directly to Sapporo. Mount Tarumae-zan is located in the south. If it is less high than the others (1040 m), it offers nevertheless splendid panoramas on the volcanoes.

Lake Tōya-ko is almost circular. The Tōya-ko Onsen spa is located south of the lake. In 1943, Mount Shōwa Shinzan appeared after a few earthquakes and rose to 402 m. From the parking lot, a cable car takes you to the top of Mount Usu-san (732 m). This small volcano is still active, as in 1977 an eruption damaged the cable car and covered the Tōya-ko spa with over 40 cm of ash and dust. From the top, you can enjoy the view of Mount Yōtei-zan and the lake.

This impressive cape is located at the southeast end of Mount Hakodate. The grandiose landscape of steep cliffs surrounded by the sea is a sight to behold. On a clear day, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Hakodate City as well as the Tsugaru Strait and Aomori Prefecture in the distance. Hokkaido's flower, the Rugosa rose (or Japanese rose, in Japanese hamanasu), blooms abundantly here in summer. For romantics and photographers, it is the perfect place to watch the sunset.

It is rumored to be the purest lake in Japan, after the Akan National Park. The color of the water becomes a deep blue on sunny days. The lake was formed in a caldera and its water is exceptionally cold, making it impossible to swim. The lake is renowned for its sockeye salmon fishing and is also home to freshwater crayfish and salamanders. The absolute clarity of the water makes it easy to see them. In addition to the beautiful surrounding hikes, you can also take a boat ride on the lake.

It is possible to take a shuttle bus that takes you directly to the waterfall, but only for a short period between July and August. The rest of the year, you have to walk for several hours. The bathing in this rotenburo is memorable. You have to cross a waterfall for almost half an hour to enjoy the three natural hot water baths. Bring a bathing suit and shoes with non-slip soles. You can also rent straw sandals before starting the climb.

The nature-loving traveller can circumnavigate these five lakes in about an hour via small hiking trails through the forest. During the peak season in summer, the first two lakes can be relatively crowded. An 800-metre-long elevated wooden walkway has recently been built between the car park and the first lake, allowing visitors to enjoy views of the lake, the Sea of Okhotsk and the surrounding mountains without damaging the fragile ecosystem. The walk is free of charge.

Wakkanai-Kōen Park is dedicated to the victims of the Sakhalin earthquake. The view is unobstructed and you can look out over the coast and Sakhalin Island from a tower (with questionable architecture). There is also a monument to the first Japanese explorer of Hokkaidō, the surveyor Rinzō Mamiya (1780-1844). One of the symbols is the Hyosetsu-no-Mon, an eight-meter-high doorway with a statue of a woman on top. It is a symbol of the city's history and culture, as well as a symbol of the city's identity and culture. The park covers about 45 hectares.

There are maps and brochures on the national park.

It is the largest volcanic lake in Japan and the 6th largest lake in the country by area. Like the famous Loch Ness, it has its own mythical monster, the Kusshie. It is a popular place for camping, swimming and onsen. The Suna-yu onsen is on the east bank and the Wakoto onsen on the south. There is also a beach with sand that is naturally heated by hot groundwater. The local fauna and flora will delight nature lovers and photography aficionados.

The "Lake of Mystery" is located 12 km southeast of Kawayu-Onsen. This impressive volcanic lake is surrounded by walls nearly 300 m high. It is a unique feature in Japan. It can be seen and contemplated from two observatories. The Japanese particularly appreciate the seasons when the small island in the middle is hidden in the mists that cover the area. You can see it for a short time if you are lucky. It is also common to go there to enjoy the starry sky.

Major objectives for hikers, thanks to their waterfalls, Ryūsei-no-taki and Ginga-no-taki are the two gorges that lead to Kobako and Obako. They drop into a canyon over 170m deep. You can rent bicycles to enjoy the beautiful views around. You can also reach Mt. Kuro-Dake by taking the cable car and the ski lift in succession, but the most popular hike is to Mt.