Shikotsu Toya National Park is located partly in Sapporo. It occupies one fourth of the 100,000ha area of the city.

　Caldera lakes like Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya, active volcanoes like Usuzan, Tarumaezan, and Showashinzan, composite volcanoes (the same volcano type as Mt. Fuji) like Yoteizan, hot spring areas like Noboribetsu and Jozankei, are located in this park that stretches over 6 cities, 7 towns, and 3 villages.

　If you come by plane to Sapporo, you can rent a car in New Chitose Airport, and halt at Lake Shikotsu on your way to Sapporo. Please see this page for more information about the access between New Chitose Airport and Sapporo City.

● Lake Shikotsu (Chitose City)

　Caldera lake inside Shikotsu Toya National Park, its perimeter is 42km, and its maximum depth is 363m. This is the second clearest lake in Japan (you can see until 18 meters under the surface). Active volcano Tarumaezan is located on the south shore of the lake. There are hot springs on lakeside like Shikotsuko Spa, Marukoma Spa, or Itou Spa. You can also enjoy cruising the lake or diving. In the surrounding, at the foot of Mt. Fuppushidake, you will find “Koke no Domon” where lichens cluster.

　The lake is at one hour drive from Sapporo Downtown, through National Route 453, toward South.

■Official web sites
Lake Shikotsu (Japanese only)
　 Chitose web site page about Lake Shikotsu.
Koke no Domon (Japanese only)
　 Chitose web site page about Koke no Domon.
Sikotsuko Spa (Japanese only)
　 Site managed by Shikotsuko Spa Ryokan Association
Marukoma Spa (Japanese only)
　 Information about access, open-air bathes, accomodations, etc.
Itou Spa
　 Information about access, open-air bathes, accomodations, etc.

● Lake Okotanpe (Chitose City)
　
　Lake Okotanpe, located near Lake Shikotsu, appears after an eruption of Mt. Eniwa. It is a small lake, with a perimeter of only 5 km, and, surrounded by broadleaf tree and conifer forest, its color changes from cobalt blue to emerald green, depending of the time of day. This is one of the three most impressive lakes in Hokkaido.

　The lake is at one hour drive from Sapporo Downtown, through National Route 453, toward South. The entrance is on the way to Lake Shikotsu.

■Official web site
Lake Okotanpe (Japanese only)
　Chitose web site page about Lake Lake Okotanpe.

● Lake Toya

　Lake Toya is the third biggest caldera lake in Japan. Four islands lie in the its middle. There are a hot spring area and active volcanoes like Usuzan and Showashinzan on the shore.

　From Chitose, Doo Expressway is convenient. Abuta Toyako Interchange is very close to the lake. Chitose Interchange is at one hour drive from the lake. From Sapporo Downtown, take Route 230 in the direction of Hakodate, toward South: it is at two hour and a half, via Kimobetsu Town.

Related articles
Lake Toya, the venue of G8 Summit, 2008
Lake Toya, a pleasant two hour drive from Sapporo

Official web site
Toyako Onsen Tourist Association
　Information about sightseeing, hot springs, events in Toya.

(Japanese only)　　 Chitose Tourist Association

Eniwa Tourist Association (Japanese only)　　 Noboribetsu Tourist Association

Date Tourist Information (Japanese only)　　 Niseko Resort Tourist information

Kimobetsu Town (Japanese only)　　 Kyogoku Town (Japanese only)　　 Kutchan Town (Japanese only)

Abuta Town　　 Sobetsu Town　　 Shiraoi Town

Makkari Village (Japanese only)　　 Toya Village　　 Ootaki Village

Shikotsu Toya National Park (Japanese only)
　 Ministry of the Environment web site.

Lake Shikotsu from Poropinai.

Enjoying forests and water

Nature walk and waterfalls
　Nature walks within one hour's drive from Sapporo.

Campsites inside Sapporo
　Presentation of camp and auto camp sites located inside Sapporo.

Brown bears live in the mountains of a big city
　The presence of bears in forests is the proof that those forests are wealthy. Brown bears keep living in the mountains of the 1.8 million people City of Sapporo.