Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya Winter Tour (Multilingual Audio Tour)
Days


Nov 5–Dec 3, Dec 5–Dec 26, 2025. Jan 8 – Jan 11, Feb 1 – Feb 21, Feb 24 – Mar 6, Mar 8 – Mar 31, 2026
Duration


9 hours 38 min (9 hrs and 58 min during the Ice Fall Festival, February 1 - 23)
Distance
243km
Departure
Sapporo station
Dep./Arr. Times


Dep. 8:20 Arr. 17:58 
(Arr. Time 18:18 during the Ice Fall Festival (February 2 - 23)
price
Adults
JPY10,100
Child(6-12)
JPY6,600
*This includes Lunch and Usuzan Ropeway fare
*This course is operated through a multilingual (Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean) audio system. A guide will accompany the tour but will not explain the sights.

Scheduled to be in operation again this year. Experience the majestic beauty of “Lake Shikotsu,” spectacular nature of Lake Toya, and Mt. Usu which was registered as a World Geopark, all in one day!
s you drive through the endless old growth forests, the road opens up to the beautiful blue “”Lake Shikotsu”" surrounded by lush nature. The ice-free (does not freeze during the winter) Lake Shikotsu is Japan’s northernmost lake of its kind. It has also been recognized by the Ministry of Environment as one of the most cleanest and clearest lakes in the nation. Nearby is Lake Toya, a large caldera lake created during a violent eruption over 100 thousand years ago. It is also surrounded by rich flora and is the habitat for a wide variety of fauna.
We will have lunch at Toya Kohantei that sits on the shores of Lake Toya.
After we leave Lake Toya the bus will head to Mt Usuzan, the first in the world to be inducted as a “”geopark”" in August, 2009. The geopark has nature paths that are guided by signs and other support systems in place so that visitors can truly understand and enjoy earth’s beauty. There is a Geopark Network that is supported by UNESCO, which has inducted over 58 locations across 18 countries, as geoparks. The Lake Toya-Mt. Usuzan Geopark is the 59th to be inducted into the network. Visitors will be able take in the beauty of this park via the Mt. Usuzan Ropeway.
This course takes visitors to two of Hokkaido’s most popular lakes in just one day.
During the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival (February 1st to February 23th), you can take an optional tour of the Ice Festival. (The tour fee is at your own expense.)
*Meals are not included on some dates. You will have free reign to eat. (There will be a 50-minute meal time at Mushroom Kingdom.)

2016winter_N01
Itinerary
＜With Lunch＞ Nov 5 – Dec 3, Dec 5 – Dec 26, Jan 8 – Jan 11, Feb 24 – Mar 6, Mar 8 – Mar 31
Dep. 8:20 
Sapporo Station
↓
Sapporo Minami IC
↓
Chitose IC
10:08～10:50

*①Lake Shikotsu(free time) [40 min]
11:35～12:00
Mushroom Kingdom Otaki Branch(rest/Shopping)[25 min]
12:45～13:35
Toya Kohantei (lunch)[50min]
13:45～15:00

*②Mt. Usuzan Ropeway (ride on the ropeway), Showa Shinzan Bear Farm( free time to explore)[75 min]
↓
Via Highway Route 230
16:25～16:40
Nakayama Pass (rest) [15 min]
17:05
Jozankei Hot Springs(Hotel Milione)(Drop-off possible)
17:25

Apa Hotels and Resort Sapporo (Kawazoe 5 Jo 2 chome stop)(Drop-off possible)
17:40
Sapporo Park Hotel (Drop-off possible)
17:42

Hotel MYSTAYS Premier Sapporo Park(Drop- off possible)
17:43
Jasmac Plaza Hotel (Drop-off possible)
17:45
Susukino(Minami 4-JO)(Drop-off possible)
17:50
Sapporo Clock Tower(Drop-off possible)
Arri.  17:58
Sapporo Station
＜With Lunch＞ Feb. 1 - Feb. 21(During the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival)
Dep  8:20 
Sapporo Station
↓
Sapporo Minami IC
↓
Chitose IC
10:08～11:10

*①Lake Shikotsu(free time) (If you wish to visit the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, you may do so on your own.)[60 min]
11:55～12:20
Mushroom Kingdom Otaki Branch(rest/shopping) [25 min]
13:05～13:55
Toya Kohantei (lunch/Shopping)[50 min]
14:05～15:20

*②Mt. Usuzan Ropeway (ride on the ropeway), Showa Shinzan Bear Farm( free time to explore)[75 min]
↓
Via Highway Route 230
16:45～17:00
Nakayama Pass (rest) [15 min]
17:25
Jozankei Hot Springs(Hotel Milione)(Drop-off possible)
17:45

Apa Hotels and Resort Sapporo (Kawazoe 5 Jo 2 chome stop)(Drop-off possible)
18:00
Sapporo Park Hotel (Drop-off possible)
18:02

Hotel MYSTAYS Premier Sapporo Park(Drop- off possible)
18:03
Jasmac Plaza Hotel (Drop-off possible)
18:05
Susukino(Minami 4-JO)(Drop-off possible)
18:10
Sapporo Clock Tower (Drop-off possible)
Arri.  18:18
Sapporo Station
  • *① The Lake Shikotsu Cruise Boat is not in service and will not be available.
    The Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center will be closed every Tuesday between Dec. 1 - Mar 31. (If Tuesday is a holiday it will be closed the next day, and it will be open during the Hyoto Festival.) (This is subject to change.)
    Show your Regular Sightseeing bus ticket stub and get a 10% discount on souvenirs at Gift shop Memer. (Does not apply to some items. Memer is basically closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays, but closed irregularly in some cases.)
  • *Hyoto Ice Festival (Feb. 1 - Feb. 23) can be added as an option. If you decide to check it out, there will be an extra admission fee: adults ¥1,000, Elementary school students and below are free.
  • *②Though there is a footpath to the summit of Mt.Usu, it is wise to wear clothing and shoes that are easy to move and walk in.
    You can get discount ticket for Brown Bear Zoo with showing your bus stub. (Adult:\1,000→\900　Child: \500→\400).
    If the ropeway is closed due to strong wind or inclement weather, you will receive a token of your trip to the ropeway , and will visit the Brown Bear Zoo instead. (subject to change.)
    • *This course may be cancelled in the event that the expressway or Bifue Pass closed due to heavy snowfall.


  • Toya Kohantei
  • 【Ichino-Ju】
    　Funka Bay Right eye, tuna, salmon, Botan shrimp, Sliced daikon radish, Noguchi Kanko's original two kinds of pickles, pickled radish in sake lees, spicy squid and scallions
    【Nino-Ju】
    　Hokkaido roast beef with onion sauce, Ciel macaroni (shell-shaped macaroni) salad, simmered chicken with seasonal vegetables, kinome shinjo (fish cake with Japanese pepper leaves), seasonal vegetables with sesame dressing
    【Fire Gourmet】
    　Grilled Funka Bay scallops - crispy with soy sauce and butter -
    【Local Meat Dishes】
    　Toyoura Pork Chilled Shabu Salad with Toyako Red Shiso Sauce
    【Meal】
    　Nameko Soup, Kohantei Original simmered clams in soy sauce, and crab rice
    【Dessert】
    　1 types of cake and 2 type of fruit
    *Photo is for illustrative purpose only.
    *Please be aware that some of the menu content is subject to change.
Special Notes
・Please come to the ticket window 15 minutes before departure to exchange your ticket. 
◎Tour will be cancelled when there is no reservation by 18:00 the day before. *(In some cases the time will be shortened to earlier than 18:00 for some courses.)
◎Tour time at each facility will depend on traffic that day, the number of passengers and other factors.
◎Arrival time for this course may be earlier depending on whether or not the facility is open or not, or limitations on tours.
◎Please note that the buses may be delayed due to inclement weather or traffic conditions, so please allow ample time for transfers to other means of transportation.
◎The tour may be cancelled due to disasters or other unavoidable circumstances, so please be sure to contact us about whether the tour is in operation during unusual weather
Bus Company 
Hokkaido Chuo Bus Sapporo Bus Terminal, Business Hours: 7:30 AM- 6:00 PM, +81 (0)570-200-600
Back