Hokkaido Summer: Lake Toya and Noboribetsu Jigokudani Valley

Hokkaido Summer Trilogy: Lakes, Farms & Volcanoes in Nature’s Rhapsody
1. Mount Yotei & Lake Toya: Where the “Fuji of the East” Meets Summer’s Emerald Mirror
Gaze upon Hokkaido’s answer to Mount Fuji—Mount Yotei, its symmetrical cone rising majestically above Lake Toya. Even in summer, the volcano’s ash-gray slopes contrast with the lake’s shimmering emerald waters, creating a reflection so perfect it rivals Japan’s most iconic peak—no need to travel to Honshu for this masterpiece.
✔️ Lakeside Serenity: Yotei Foot Hills Waterfront Park
Wander wooded trails where streams murmur over smooth stones, carrying the fresh scent of summer grass. Climb the overlook for postcard views: Yotei’s peak mirrored in glassy waters, framed by distant mountain ranges. Rest your feet in the park’s free sulfur foot onsen—steam curls up as you soak, blending with the serene landscape.
Pro Tip: Visit at dawn for pastel-hued sunrises painting the mountain’s slopes pink.
✔️ Lake Toya’s Onsen Charm
Stroll along the historic onsen street, where wooden ryokan emit gentle sulfur steam. Their lakeside open-air baths offer front-row seats to Toya’s beauty. Taste local flavors: crispy tempura-fried lake fish, paired with icy lemonade to beat the summer heat.
2. Storybook Farms & Bear Encounters: Hokkaido’s Playful Side
✔️ Miyazaki-Esque Magic: Lake Hill Farm
Step into a living animation! Rolling hills dotted with grazing cows, wildflowers in soft pastels carpeting the landscape. Ride a vintage carriage through golden fields or savor hand-churned ice cream at the lakeside café—each scoop bursts with fresh Hokkaido milk and seasonal berries.
✔️ Wildlife Wonder: Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch
Summer brings out the bears’ playful side! Watch brown bears lounge under trees, catch apple rings mid-air, and wrestle in grassy enclosures. Their comical antics make for unforgettable photos—proof that Hokkaido’s wilderness can be wonderfully whimsical.
3. Volcanic Wonders: The Earth’s Pulse Up Close
✔️ Hell Valley & the Milky River
Enter the caldera to find a surreal “milky river,” its opaque waters loaded with minerals, winding through black volcanic rock. Nearby, Jigokudani (Hell Valley) reveals nature’s raw power: sulfurous steam hisses from ash-yellow crevices, coating rocks in golden sulfur deposits. The air smells of “boiled eggs”—a telltale sign of Earth’s fiery breath.
✔️ Showa Shinzan: A Mountain Born Yesterday
This young volcano, born in 1943, still grows 30cm annually. Hike its slopes to touch warm volcanic ash, learn about its explosive birth at the visitor center, and marvel at the rugged lava formations—nature’s ongoing masterpiece.
Hokkaido Summer: Where Every Moment is a Natural Poem
From Yotei’s mirrored elegance to Lake Hill Farm’s pastoral charm and Bear Ranch’s playful energy, Hokkaido in summer is a symphony of contrasts.

Ready to dive into Hokkaido’s summer magic? This northern paradise promises memories as vivid as its landscapes.