From Sapporo: Noboribetsu, Lake Toya, & Otaru Guided Day Trip
From Sapporo: Noboribetsu, Lake Toya, & Otaru Guided Day Trip
Duration: 11 hours
11 hours
Expert local tour guide
Expert local tour guide
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Discover Hokkaido’s gems such as the Noboribetsu Hell Valley and the Europe-influenced Otaru city, on a guided day trip including return transfers.
An expert guide will take you on a trip to Hokkaido’s off the beaten paths, including relics of a volcanic crater formed about 10,000 years ago.
Picture-perfect views await at the Lake Toya Observatory, displaying the natural landscapes around the lake such as Mt. Showa and Lake Heart Island.
Want to meet and feed brown bears? Head to the Showa-Shinzan Bear Ranch where the mammals love to wave at tourists (at your own expense).
Experience the delightful blend of Japanese architecture with old European style in Otaru as you walk along ancient canal streets.
Fun Fact: The Showa Shinzan mountain was formed as a result of volcanic activities from 1943 to 1945. It continues to emit smoke to this day.
Day trip to Noboribetsu, Lake Toya, Bear Ranch, & Otaru
Expert guide
Return transfers from Sapporo Station
Travel in air-conditioned vehicle
Entry to Bear Ranch
Food and drinks
Noboribetsu Jigokudani hot spring landscape in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Japan.
Unveiling Hokkaido’s natural wonders
Looking for a day filled with natural sights, history, and wildlife encounters? This day trip including comfortable transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle is for you. The journey takes you to the Noboribetsu Hell Valley or Jigokudani. The boiling sulfuric streams and plumes of hot steam will make you feel as if you are in a demon lair. Close by is the Oyunuma Pond, the remains of a burst crater and a source of hot spring water for nearby hot spring hotels. There is an observation deck where you can see the steaming lake up close. Though this spot is closed in winter, it provides an unforgettable experience during other seasons.
Discovery of wildlife and history
The trip continues to the scenic Lake Toya, a caldera lake that is the perfect example of the beauty that can result from nature’s destructive action. Be ready for the sight of Showa Shinzan, a “new mountain” that relentlessly emits white smoke. Near the mountain’s cable car is the Bear Ranch, where you'll meet Hokkaido's largest wild mammals and witness their playful side (entry at your own expense). The day concludes in Otaru, a city known for its old European style. You can visit the Kitaichi Glass Otaru workshop to appreciate exquisite crafts of glass, and the Music Box Hall that houses thousands of music boxes from all over the globe. If you visit in February, witness the Otaru Snow Light Path festival, where glittering lights and a snowy town create a mesmerizing atmosphere.
Itinerary
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8am - Pick-up from Sapporo Station
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Noboribetsu, ~60 mins
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Lake Toyako area, ~120 mins including free time for lunch
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Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch (price excluded), ~ 60 mins
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Eight Views of Lake Toya, 10 mins
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Lake Toyako Observatory, 10 mins
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Otaru, ~90 mins including free time for dinner
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6pm - Return to Sapporo
Visitors walking on a wooden path through Hell Valley in Noboribetsu, Japan.
Snow-covered landscape with Lake Toya and surrounding mountains in Hokkaido, Japan.
Noboribetsu Jigokudani hot spring landscape in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Japan.
Visitors walking on a wooden path through Hell Valley in Noboribetsu, Japan.
Snow-covered landscape with Lake Toya and surrounding mountains in Hokkaido, Japan.
Mount Usu with autumn foliage in Noboribetsu, Japan, part of a guided day trip from Sapporo.
What to bring
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It is recommended to wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes.
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It is recommended to bring a hat, sunscreen, water bottle, and a camera.
Additional information
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The walking trails around Oyunuma pond and the outdoor foot bath experience may be closed during winter.
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The evening before your journey, you will receive an email containing crucial details, including the tour guide's phone number and the car's license plate number. Please make sure that your email and mobile phone can be reached.
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The itinerary may be altered due to external factors such as weather and road conditions.
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If you visit in February, you can see the Otaru Snow Light Path festival. Please refer to the official website to check the festival’s specific schedule.
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This trip requires a minimum of 4 participants to operate. If the number is not reached, an alternate date may be suggested or the trip may be canceled.
Otaru Canal at dusk with historic warehouses and city lights reflecting on the water.
Mount Usu with autumn foliage in Noboribetsu, Japan, part of a guided day trip from Sapporo.
Otaru Canal at dusk with historic warehouses and city lights reflecting on the water.
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