Destinations

Toya Onsen

"With a guestlist including Bush, Brown, Medvedev, Sarkozy and that cheeky rascal Berlusconi, you will be in good company in Toya Onsen! This beautiful lakeside resort encompasses all that is great about Hokkaido; stunning scenery, steaming volcanoes, hot-spring baths and endless ways to enjoy the great outdoors."

Harry Sargant - Tailored Department Manager

The resort of Toya Onsen is centred around the lake of the same name, in the southwest of Hokkaido, part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. The lake and the surrounding peaks are a popular getaway for Japanese urban dwellers looking for an escape from the city, with hiking, fishing, watersports, hot-spring baths and simply enjoying the great outdoors being the key attractions. In 2008 Toya received its most illustrious guests to date when it was chosen by Japan to host the G8 Summit, to showcase Japan’s natural beauty to the world.

On the south side of Lake Toya proudly stands one of Japan’s youngest volcanoes, Showa-Shin-Zan, which was ‘born’ as recently as 1943, when a series of earthquakes saw a bump appear, which grew into a mound, which grew into a hill, which grew into the 400-metre peak which stands today, still mildly active and attracting curious visitors. Be wary however as the next door peak of Usu-zan blew its top in 2000; evacuations were necessary in the surrounding area to prevent casualties. You can find out more about the unpredictable nature of Toya’s geology at a handful of small museums.

The volcanic activity in the area means of course plenty of hot-spring baths, and Toya is one of Hokkaido premier hot-spring resorts with a range of baths to try out (some offering stunning lake views), with many accommodations opening their baths to non-staying guests during the day. You will also find several foot-baths, or ‘ashi-no-yu’ along the lakeside, and during the summer months the resort puts on nightly firework displays.

Toya makes a good base for exploring this corner of Hokkaido. Other places of interest in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park include Lake Shikotsu, the hot-spring mecca of Noboribetsu and hiking and walking just about anywhere!

Products featuring Toya Onsen...

Self Guided Adventure

Hokkaido Fly-Drive

The huge and sparsely populated island of Hokkaido is the focus of this unique adventure. Here within the national parks you’ll find vast empty plains, crystal clear lakes and soaring mountain landscapes. With well-kept, quiet roads and plenty of English signs Hokkaido is ideal for exploring by car.

16 Nights: £2710

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