A geosite is a place where visitors can see, enjoy and learn. With geosites with different values, natural ecological sites, cultural sites and intangible heritage sites, the Toya-Usu UNESCO Global Geopark has a lot of spots that cannot be seen anywhere else. As a result, the geopark, which shows “Coexistence with the changing Earth,” has been certified as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
- Geosites
- Natural heritage sites
- Cultural heritage sites
Experience
Photo Spots
Toya-Usu UNESCO Global Geopark got a No.1 ranking of the most photogenic sightseeing spots in Japan. (TripAdvisor 2017, summer)
Hot Springs
The hot springs at Lake Toya and Sobetsu were formed from a volcanic eruption in 1910 that caused hot spring water to gush up from the ground. The Lake Toya hot springs, which lie at the northwest base of Mt. Usu on the southern shore of Lake Toya, were seen by all of Japan through media coverage after an eruption in 2000 formed craters there. Sobetsu hot springs is the birthplace of the monitoring of volcanic eruption using seismometer. The hot springs are referred to as the “volcano’s blessing” of the Toya-Usu UNESCO Global Geopark. There are many other hot springs in the area.
Toyako Grutto Sculpture Park
Toyako Gurutto Sculpture Park, is an “Outdoor sculpture park in which people and nature can come together”. As such, 58 sculptures and objects have been placed on the lake so as to surround Lake Toya. Visitors can enjoy the combination of the landscape of the Toya caldera and art.
Cycling
- Spa Shiosai Bike rental service
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- Available for 13 years old or older
- Operating hours
11 a.m. – 8 p.m. - Fees (Please pay when you rent)
1,000 yen/day for an electric bike
500 yen/day for an X-bike
Additional cycling route maps are downloadable at Funkawan Toyoura Tourism Association’s official website. These maps will be of great help to explore the area. For cycling maps and bike rental service, click this:
(Written in Japanese)
- Around Lake Toya
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The 40-km walking trail around Lake Toya is also ideal for cycling, but please check the course beforehand and take care on the trail.
【PDF 6.2MB】
- Cycling Route Map (English Ver. Free)
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Hokkaido Government Iburi General Subprefectural Bureau Website