Hokkaido Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley) + Showa Shinzan + Lake Toya Day Trip (Sapporo/Lake Toya Departure)

🌋 April 21, 2026: This time, I participated in a Klook Noboribetsu and Lake Toya day trip. 🚩 Meet at Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel before 7:25 AM. ✨️✨️ Depart at 7:40 AM✨️✨️ 1. Noboribetsu Hell Valley Onsen: (35 minutes) 2. Cape Chikyu Observation Deck: (25 minutes) 3. Silo Observation Deck: (30 minutes) 4. Lake Toya Onsen: (70 minutes) 5. Showa Shinzan & Bear Park: (40 minutes) 6. Lake Shikotsu: (35 minutes) → Return to Sapporo. After a full day, I truly felt it was very worthwhile. 🔥 Noboribetsu Hell Valley Upon arrival, I was struck by the strong smell of sulfur. White smoke continuously rose from the ground, making the entire valley seem to breathe; it was very unique. Although the smell was distinct, the geothermal landscape was truly spectacular, giving a feeling of stepping inside the Earth. It was a very impactful stop. Our guide told us that the smell we detected was sulfur dioxide. 🌊 Cape Chikyu Next, we went to Cape Chikyu, and the scenery instantly switched from volcanic to coastal. Standing on the cape, the view was incredibly vast, with the sea stretching all the way to the horizon, truly giving one the feeling that "the Earth is round." The wind was strong but pleasant, making it a very therapeutic and relaxing place. Being there felt like experiencing a typhoon, but it was absolutely perfect. 🐻 Showa Shinzan (Midway Stop) Here, you can shop for souvenirs or visit the Bear Park. The pace was relaxed, making it a great place for a break and to recharge. We even bought biscuits to feed the bears in the park, and the bears were incredibly smart. They would sit and watch us, and when we threw the bear biscuits, they would catch them with their mouths. It was truly amazing. They also sell horse oil here, which is very effective and worth buying. 🌅 Lake Toya: Finally, we arrived at the Lake Toya Observation Deck and spent 70 minutes at Lake Toya Onsen to eat and admire the 'black 7-Eleven.' Watching the lake in person, the entire atmosphere became completely serene. The lake surface was very calm, complemented by the distant mountain scenery and volcanic terrain. The view was very clean and therapeutic, making it a perfect place for a leisurely stroll and taking photos. This stop also provided a very pleasant conclusion to the day's itinerary. 🧭 The most special aspect of this trip was seeing three completely different natural landscapes in one day: volcanic geothermal activity, a coastal cape, and a lake view. From awe-inspiring to relaxing, and then to therapeutic, the pace was very well-arranged. Although a bit packed, it was incredibly worthwhile for first-time visitors to Hokkaido. 👨‍🏫 Guide's Review (Shao-san) What I particularly want to mention this time is our tour guide. Shao-san (I'm a bit unsure how to spell his English name) was very kind and patient. Throughout the journey, he not only led the way but also carefully reminded us of meeting times, explained the characteristics of each attraction, and paid attention to everyone's well-being, making the entire trip very reassuring. Although it was only a short one-day trip, his guidance added a lot of warmth to the journey. I am truly grateful to have met such a wonderful guide this time. If I have the chance to visit Hokkaido again, I would very much hope to join his tour again. ⭐ Summary Overall, this was a very worthwhile trip with a rich itinerary, a dedicated guide, and convenient transportation. It was a day trip experience that will leave many fond memories.

We participated in the April 23rd tour, and our guide, Andy, was very professional. In addition to introducing the attractions, he also shared shopping tips to help everyone avoid pitfalls. His time management was excellent, making the entire trip very smooth! We were lucky to have clear weather, so we enjoyed many beautiful sights. It's truly great value to visit so many attractions in one day. Although the time spent at each stop wasn't long, it's perfect for first-time visitors to Hokkaido who aren't driving. Highly recommended! The only minor drawback was that the seats in the minibus were incredibly small, much smaller than budget airline seats. My knees were constantly pressed against the seat in front, and sitting for a whole day was quite uncomfortable.

It was an excellent tour—we visited five beautiful places. Our guide gave us great recommendations about everything and helped us take photos. I highly recommend this tour if you want to discover unique and unconventional places in Japan.

If you're staying at Tokyu Rei, meeting the guide is very convenient. The guide waited in the lobby as scheduled. Ken-san took great care of us, explaining things in English, Japanese, and Chinese, and always letting us know when to board the bus. This itinerary is quite packed, with frequent getting on and off the bus and a lot of walking, but we got to visit many places. We went during the rainy season and encountered rain and cloudy skies, which was a shame. Restrooms were available everywhere at the tourist attractions.

This was my first time, and I loved it! The guide spoke both English and Chinese, took great care of us, and there were no issues. We stopped at each place for 20 minutes to an hour, and it was fun stopping frequently for photos. You can also ask the guide to help take pictures. You might not have a lot of time to eat, so it's a good idea to bring some snacks. I think if I had gone in my own car, I wouldn't have seen as much. Going with a tour like this was really enjoyable.

It was a fantastic trip with a well-planned itinerary. The time spent at each attraction was a bit short but acceptable. Our tour guide, Xiao Weng, was very knowledgeable about every site, explaining relevant information along the way. The restaurants and local specialties he recommended were also excellent. The driver was familiar with the roads, drove very smoothly throughout the journey, and kept the car very clean. I would definitely recommend this tour to friends.

I chose this trip after comparing reviews; it was the right call as it covered every spot on the itinerary. We left Sapporo TV Station at 8:02 AM for Noboribetsu Jigokudani Valley. Our guide, Oscar, was friendly and offered to take photos at Cape Chikyu. Next was the Silo Observation Deck. We chose Option B for the Mt. Usu Ropeway despite the short dining time. The ride takes 5-6 min, and visiting the Usu 360 observatory takes about 20 min. Advice: turn left after the Ropeway center to see Mt. Usu first, then go right for Lake Toya photos and grab a quick snack last. The Ropeway runs every 15 min (2:15, 2:30, etc.). We also visited the Bear Ranch. Option B includes the Ropeway with less eating time, while Option A skips it. We ended at Lake Shikotsu with the "Hokkaido number one" ice cream. It felt a bit rushed due to travel time between stops, but it’s the best way to see everything in one day. Advice for Oscar: Do mention travel times between stops so guests can plan better.

The itinerary is packed but mostly focuses on scenic views, perfect for guests who enjoy leisurely strolls. The scenery at each spot is delightful. Our guide, Mr. Onodera, was very enthusiastic and professional. He provided detailed explanations and had a deep understanding of each attraction's unique features and background stories. He also recommended delicious local treats; the ice cream and potato cakes were indeed very tasty. He chatted with every guest, making him an excellent guide.

The trip was super chill, with beautiful scenery all the way, just a bit windy at times. Andy was incredibly friendly and made everyone feel welcome. He also shared lots of helpful suggestions and advice on gifts, which we really appreciated. Overall, it was such a pleasant and relaxing experience. Hope to visit Hokkaido again in the future.

That was the highlight of my trip to Japan. our guide Tetsu was very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. the hotels we stay at were amazing. Itinerary is well thought through, every single spot is breathtaking.