Take the ropeway up the mountain for a panoramic view! Crisp autumn air and drifting white clouds 🌤

Mount Yotei is actually behind the observatory! The disappearing Yotei!

There’s a must-visit spot near Niseko—Hokkaido’s famous scenic area, Lake Toya. Each season brings its own charm, and this time I visited on a crisp autumn day with floating clouds, eager to see the active volcano up close! The ropeway ride to the summit took about 6 minutes. At the top, there are two observation decks: “Lake Toya Observatory” and “Crater Basin Observatory,” which are about 7 minutes’ walk apart.

From the Lake Toya Observatory, you get a full view of Lake Toya, plus a look at the bald active volcano Mount Usu and the reddish-brown Showa Shinzan that formed after its eruption. After taking in the sights, walk 7 more minutes to reach the Crater Basin Observatory, where you can see the massive eruption fissures of Mount Usu and the entire Uchiura Bay (also called “Volcano Bay”)—a truly magnificent sight! But I was a little disappointed to discover that Mount Yotei is actually behind the observatory, so you can’t see it from here! Even the so-called “Mount Fuji of the North,” Mount Yotei, can disappear from view sometimes!

Actually, Showa Shinzan was formed in 1945 and is a very young active volcano. Japanese geologists call it “the miracle of Showa,” which is why it was named Showa Shinzan. To this day, it still emits hot sulfur steam. The “mother” mountain of Showa Shinzan, Mount Usu, is right beside it—just like a mother and child guarding Lake Toya. It even made me think of my own mother!

Source:
http://usuzan.hokkaido.jp/ja/

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