As part of our stay at Lake Toya we went to visit both the Volcano Village Information Centre and Mount Usu.We found the information centre and the film they showed very interesting and it helped us understand the development of Showa -Shinzan. We took a taxi from Lake Toya to the base of the mountains. Once we had left the ropeway ( which provided good views) of Mt Showa Shinzan, we walked along the the outer rim path of Mt Usu until the last of descent stairs to the base. We had great views of the crater and could easily see the smoke/vapour rising from the crater and from slits in the rock.We would recommend taking the path even if you don't go the full way. The geoolgical features of Mt Showa Shinzan are amazing.We walked back to Lake Toya via the walking paths and enjoyed the views from the lake edge and the sculptures along the way. We would recommend staying in Lake Toya for at least 2 days to take in all the attractions as well as enjoying the relaxing hot baths at your hotel.
缆车最多能容纳106个人,她会把你带到729米高的地方。有两个观测台。其中一个可以看到洞爷湖和昭和新山。在另一个观测台,你可以看到最大的陨石坑,Gin-numa大陨石坑,现在仍然在喷发很多蒸汽。不过,买票的时候要确保能见度够高。我去的时候,雾太大,能见度不到10米。
there is quite a good description provided on the background and history of this mountain. The scenery is extremely beautiful. It's very cold esp we climb all the way up the top and has a good view of its crater.
This is one ropeway ride worth taking as it only takes about 7 minutes to get to the hill-top. The view all round during winter was simply breathtaking. It was not crowded. And the look-out points at the hill-top were very near to the ropeway station. It was definitely worth the while.
I visited in Summer it was an amazing time on the top of Mount Usu. It is very windy up there, the view of the smokey crates is "wow" and the view of Showa Shinzan very impressive. I am scared of heights but it was still ok, not a problem.I also visited the bears "sanctuary" I particularly asked for this attraction at the Sapporo tourism information office at the train station, and they knew nothing about it. But yes, there it was! Many many bears from very big adults to young and babies. I hoped their enviroment was bigger but honestly don't know why they are there, I guess they were originally from this lands (?). At least, please go to see them, they value your visit and expect anxious for nuts. They seem humans in a cage, because they behave as such, wave, asked you for nuts, play like children..
Visited first week of April. Still freezing cold with snow-covered mountain. Mount Usu Ropeway starts at base station 'volcanic village' where there are restaurant, food and souvenir shops. Also Toya-Usu Geopark Volcanic Village Information Center, a resource center for visitors is situated there. The cable car which can carry 106 persons will take 6 mins to reach Summit Station (free WiFi available there). Immediately as you exit the station towards the right, you will be at Lake Toya viewing platform. While towards the left in 7 mins, you will be at Mount Usu Crater Basin viewing platform. Looking up as you exit the station, is the top of Mount Usu. Can see Mount Showa-shinzan from parking lot at base station till Lake Toya viewing platform. Mount Showa-shinzan is new mountain formed by 2 years of volcanic activity following an earthquake in December 1943.Also visited a SMALL bear farm beside the Volcanic Village. The brown bears, native to Hokkaido are housed within several pits. Visitors view and feed them from above. These bears stand and waves whenever they see visitors holding apples to feed them. Apples and bear cookies can be purchase inside the shop before entering the farm.
Very scenic and definitely worth the visit. Worth the walk if you are able to climb the uphill stairs. Quite a feat, but at the end of it would be a spectacular view. Saw snow and pleasant walk
Would highly recommend a visit to Mount Usu. Very scenic & educational. Get a view of Lake Toya and Mount Showa Shinzan in good weather. It was groggy when we visited Mount Usu. Would recommend foot trail to the outer rim to get a better view of the crater. It's a very tiring walk but well worth the effort. Foot trail starts takes about 40 mins / single way. Need a good pair of walking shoes. Be prepared to climb up & down a steep flight of steps. We took a bus (starts at 10am) from Pension Ohno to Showa Shinzan and took the Ropeway to Mount Usu. Would recommend 3-4 hours for this place. You can print & cut out the discount voucher from their website and present it when making payment for the Ropeway ticket. http://wakasaresort.com/usuzan/en/pdf/discount_ticket.pdf
The yellow Cabin and the Fee 's not expensive = 3,000 Yen-round Trip.You will see the wonderful view of Lake Toyako and can walk on footpath to see Mt.UzU and the crater.
Not the best day to take a ropeway into the clouds. Even so, we enjoyed the limited views and our walk to the crater rim. Note that the climb from the ropeway station to the rim can be quite strenuous for those of us in our eighth decade. We did not continue on the trail since there would have been hundreds of stairs to negotiate. Clouds parted from time to time so we could see Showashinzan and the top of the volcano, but we never could see Toya Lake or even down into the crater. On a nicer day, this would have been really something special. We took the local city bus from Toya town for about 300 yen apiece.