Japan Day 4 part 1 - Next Stop: Lake Toya

06-May, 0800 - We woke up early in the morning to have a breakfast in the hotel before we rush off to our next destination (Lake Toya). As we went past the 2nd level of the walkway, there is this nice pavilion in the hotel which I believed held a wedding function last night.

After finishing our breakfast, which was nothing great, just the usual few selections of international food, we depart Hotel Monterey Sapporo for a 1 hour train ride to Lake Toya. Lake Toya (Toyako) is part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. In addition to the lake itself, the Toyako region features hot springs and an active volcano, Mount Usu, which last erupted in the year 2000. The area also offers many fishing, hiking, and camping opportunities.

Overview of the Toyako region and its attractions at the Toya train station.

In order to reach our hotel, we have to take a 15mins local bus ride from the train station. Their fare payment system is still pretty manual, displaying the fare to pay as the driver went past each stop. Passenger will pay the money before alighting the bus from the front entrance.

Finally, we arrived at Toyako!

And after a 5 mins walk, we arrived at our hotel - Hotel Grand Toya!

As it is still early to check in, we deposit our luggage at the reception counter and decided to head to one of the attraction around the area - Mount Usu. Mount Usu (Usuzan) is a volcano which has erupted four times in the past 100 years. Its most recent eruption occurred in the year 2000. It is still pretty much alive today, as you can see the sulphuric fume being given off from Showa Shinzan, which is a mountain next to Mount Usu which suddenly rose from a flat wheat field to its current height of 290 meters between 1943 and 1945.

View of eateries and shops down slope of Showa Shinzan.

Feeling hungry from the long journey, we stopped by the 喷火亭 to have our lunch. I decided to try their speciality theme - Curry rice! The curry is still not spicy enough in my opinion as I did not have the feel of spitting out fire after the meal. =)