Shikotsu-Toya National Park
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The Shikotsu-Toya National Park, in western Hokkaido near Sapporo, contains in its three separate parts a whole range of beautiful volcanic landscapes, with crater lakes and many hot springs. The best places from which to visit it are Sapporo and Muroran, at the east end of the Uchiura Bay.
The largest section of the National Park lies at the very gates of Sapporo. An hour's bus rise from the city is the health resort of Jozankei-onsen (saline springs), on the River Toyohira, which rapidly developed into a thriving spa after the opening of the road from Sapporo in 1871. Beauty spots in the vicinity of the resort are the Shiraito-no-taki Waterfall, the Nishikibashi Bridge and the crag of Futami-Iwa.
West of Jozankei-onsen, in the northwestern section of the National Park, is an extinct volcano, Yotei (6,211ft/ 1,893m) below the north side of which lies the town of Kutchan. From here there is a bus service to Lake Hangetsu, from which it is a 4 hours' climb to the summit of the volcano.
The largest section of the National Park lies at the very gates of Sapporo. An hour's bus rise from the city is the health resort of Jozankei-onsen (saline springs), on the River Toyohira, which rapidly developed into a thriving spa after the opening of the road from Sapporo in 1871. Beauty spots in the vicinity of the resort are the Shiraito-no-taki Waterfall, the Nishikibashi Bridge and the crag of Futami-Iwa.
West of Jozankei-onsen, in the northwestern section of the National Park, is an extinct volcano, Yotei (6,211ft/ 1,893m) below the north side of which lies the town of Kutchan. From here there is a bus service to Lake Hangetsu, from which it is a 4 hours' climb to the summit of the volcano.
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