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Introducing places of interest: Shikotsu-Toya National Park

Vicinity of Lake Shikotsu

Mt. Tarumae

Mt. Tarumae is an active volcano that continues to belch volcanic smoke. A lava dome is featured along the inside edge of the outer rim of its crater. From the seventh gou to the summit, climbers can spot a variety of alpine plants, including Penstemon frutescens, Ledum palustre var. diversipilosum, and Gaultheria pyroloides var. miqueliana.

Bifue-no-Taki Waterfall

Bifue-no-Taki is a waterfall located along a tributary of the Chitose River that flows into Lake Shikotsu. Walk for about 15 minutes on a mountain trail from the nearby parking lot to reach this beautiful waterfall in the middle of a stand of trees.

Lake Okotanpe

Lake Okotanpe is a small lake that was created when a river became blocked off after Mt. Eniwa-dake erupted once upon a time. On clear days, visitors can discern the splendid beauty of the blue surface of a lake bordered by a green forest from a roadside vantage point.

Vicinity of Noboribetsu Onsen

Oyunuma

A pond measuring approximately 1 kilometer in circumference, Oyunuma is the remnants of an explosion crater created during an eruption of Mt. Hiyori. A 132 degrees Celsius sulfur spring gushes forth with considerable intensity at the bottom of the pond to heat up influent water to a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius or more. In days of old, sulfur sedimentation at the bottom of the pond was extracted. A stream pouring down from Oyunuma is highly popular among visitors as a natural hot-spring footbath.

[Natural footbath]

[Oyunuma]

Noboribetsu Primeval Forest

Covering 186 hectares of land, Noboribetsu Primeval Forest is a natural forest that was designated a natural monument of Japan together with the local onsen district in 1924. Visitors can stroll about on walking trails and soak in the majestic beauty of a primeval forest that consists of Quercus crispula Blume (oak) and other giant trees and that is home to an abundance of plants and animals.

Vicinity of Mt. Yotei

Lake Hangetsu

Lake Hangetsu is a small crescent-shaped crater lake situated at the western base of Mt. Yotei near the starting point for a climb up the peak. It is regarded as an oasis of sorts for mountaineers. Primeval broad-leaved trees grow thickly in the surrounding deep woods, which are imbued with tranquility and a sense of inscrutable mystery.

Vicinity of Lake Toya

Sobetsu Park

Sobetsu Park is a park located on rising ground southeast of Lake Toya and commands a panoramic view of Lake Toya as well as a view of Mt. Yotei in the distance on clear days. In May, cherry blossom trees are in bloom to accentuate the beauty of the landscape around Lake Toya.

Mt. Orofure

Mt. Orufure is situated at the border point separating three municipalities: Sobetsu Town, Noboribetsu City, and Shiraoi Town. With a difference in elevation of 300 meters between Orofure Pass and the summit of this volcano, visitors can negotiate the mountain-climbing trail located here in about one and a half hours. A delightful variety of alpine plants can be seen by the side of the mountain-climbing trail. A 360-degree vantage point opens up when you reach the summit, which commands a breathtaking view of Mt. Yotei, Lake Toya, Lake Kuttara, and other important features of the local landscape.

Nishiyama Crater Promenade

In March 2000, Mt. Usu erupted around its western base, causing the ground to undergo subsequent upheavals and significant damage to be sustained by National Route 230 and surrounding homes and factories. A walking trail was built near the remnants of such devastation to allow visitors to examine numerous craters, as well as roads that were lifted up and homes that became twisted wrecks as a result of crustal alterations.