The Toya-Usu UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the Iburi region of Hokkaido, facing the Pacific Ocean. Surrounded by abundant nature, it has a moderately warmer climate compared to the rest of the prefecture. With Lake Toya as its center, the area overlaps with the city of Date, the towns of Toyoura, Sobetsu, and Toyako, and makes up a part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. By car, the Geopark can be reached from New Chitose Airport within 1 hour 30 minutes, from Sapporo within 2 hours, or from Hakodate within 2 hours 30 minutes. Or, you can ride the JR trains from Sapporo or from Hakodate.
* Please check the JR Hokkaido website for more specific information.
JR Hokkaido Website (Japanese)
Brimming with archeological, historical, and other cultural artifacts, the city of Date holds much about Japanese history in Hokkaido. Fertile land and favorable weather conditions bring year-round vegetable production to this region.
There are various cultural and historical spots in the city. See the remains of an old Jomon settlement at the Kita Kogane-Kaizuka Shell Mound Park, or the Usu-Zenko Ji Temple built by the Tokugawa shogunate. As well, at the “Grove of Date History” (Date-rekishi-no-mori), you can learn about historical occupations, and other works belonging to the Date family. Surrounded by the warmth of the bay on one end and by the snowy mountains on the other, four distinct seasons enable Date’s farmers to produce top-quality vegetables.
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Located along west side of the Bay of Uchiura-wan, Toyoura is surrounded by the sea and by the trees, creating a very picturesque dynamic. Specialty food products from this town include strawberries, scallops, and pork.
The scenery from this town is exceptional. The Bay of Uchiura-wan extends into the south with plenty of large rocks and cliffs, and the sunlight sparkles off the water. Views of the sunset are second to none. Across the waters one can see the Komagadake and Oshima mountain ranges, while to the north stands Mt. Yotei. Toyoura’s other attractions include the secluded Koboro JR Station, The “God’s Fort” of Kamui-Chashi Shiseki Park, and the Indian Waterwheel Park.
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A beautiful town east of Lake Toya and overseen by Mt. Usu and Showa Shinzan, Sobetsu is the birthplace of the sports snowball fight. ""Fruit picking"" events run by tourism farms and orchard farmers allow you to enjoy fresh fruit that varies with the season.
This town is home to many viewing spots. Take the ropeway from Showa-Shinzan Station and stand on the observation deck at Usuzan-Sancho Station for a stunning panoramic view below. Walk for another 30 minutes, and you can see the Kagami-numa crater up close from the Gairin-zan Observatory. You can also enjoy a spectacular view of Lake Toya and Mt. Yotei from the observatory at Sobetsu Park. And finally, check out some fruit picking at the “Sobetsu Fruit Village”, operated by tourism farms alongside 18 orchard farmers. Fresh and seasonal, on the spot.
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West of Lake Toya and alongside the Bay of Uchiura-wan, Toyako Town borders Date, Toyoura, and Sobetsu. The Toyako Onsen area is one of Hokkaido's premier hot spring resorts and is full of tourists all-year round.
In 2006, Toyako Town was reborn as a merger of Abuta Town and Toya Village. Toyako Onsen is visited by many tourists as a hot spring sightseeing spot. Popular spots for travelers include: a trip to the middle Nakajima Islands on the sightseeing boat “Espoir”, a photo spot to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Toyako Onsen, and a tour of the 58 pieces of sculpture art that is displayed along the 43 km perimeter of Lake Toya. Other popular seasonal events include the long run fireworks in summer and the illumination tunnel in winter.
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