Lake Shikotsu & Toya Bus tour / TV Tower Ticket (Multilingual Audio)

Lake Shikotsu’s clear water, Lake Toya’s broad caldera basin and Mt. Usu’s volcanic slopes make a satisfying one-day picture of Hokkaido’s nature. I like that the route pairs two very different lakes with a ropeway ride, and that lunch is included at a hotel on Lake Toya’s shore. You also get a separate ticket for the Sapporo TV Tower.

The trade-off is a full day on a bus, with fixed stop times and little room to linger. The audio guide is available in multiple languages, but the staff’s spoken commentary is Japanese, so you may miss informal remarks. The lake cruise is not running, and the optional bear farm costs extra.

At a glance

• Lake Shikotsu is known for exceptionally clear water: You have about 40 minutes there, with time to walk by the shore or visit the shops.
• Lunch is served beside Lake Toya: The stop at Toya Kohan-tei lasts about 70 minutes, and the menu can change with the season.
• Mt. Usu’s ropeway ride is included: You get about 90 minutes at the Mt. Usu area, though weather or capacity can affect which attractions are open.
• The Bear Farm is optional: Pay at the site, or use your bus ticket stub to get a reduced admission price.
• The TV Tower ticket has a flexible window: It is valid for three days, including the day before and the day after the bus tour.
• The bus leaves Sapporo in the morning: Redeem your voucher at the bus counter before boarding. The listed departure is 8:30, with a required arrival at the counter 20 minutes earlier.

Two lakes, one long day

This is a good option if you want to see several notable sights without arranging separate transport from Sapporo. Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya are both large volcanic lakes, but they offer different impressions: Shikotsu is famed for clear water and forested surroundings, while Toya’s broad caldera setting gives the day a more open, expansive feel.

The route adds Mt. Usu, a volcano in an area recognized as Japan’s first global geopark. The ropeway brings the day’s scenery into sharper focus, and the stop also gives you the chance to visit the optional Showa Shinzan Bear Farm. The schedule is tight enough to cover a lot, but not loose enough for long walks or extended sightseeing at every stop.

I’d think of this as a scenic sampler rather than an in-depth visit to any one place. That is its appeal: you get a taste of the lakes, a volcanic viewpoint, lunch and a ride back to Sapporo, all without having to plan the transport connections yourself.

Starting from Sapporo

The bus departs from the Regular Sightseeing Bus Counter on the north side of JR Sapporo Station, near the west concourse. The instructions say to arrive at 8:10 to exchange your voucher, then wait at the bus stop for the 8:30 departure. There is no staff member waiting at the stop, so go to the counter first rather than heading straight to the bus.

The tour provides round-trip transfers, Japanese-speaking staff and a digital audio guide that you download to your phone. The audio guide is the main way to follow explanations in other languages. One person who used it in Korean found it useful, but keep in mind that comments from staff outside the audio narration may be in Japanese.

The drive is part of the practical value. Reaching both lakes and Mt. Usu independently from Sapporo takes planning, and the tour links the stops in one day. In return, you follow a set timetable and must be back at the bus promptly after each stop.

The departure time is listed as 8:30, while the itinerary’s first entry says 8:10. Treat 8:10 as the time to check in and exchange your voucher, not the time to stroll up to the stop. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.

Lake Shikotsu: clear water, short stop

Around 10:00, the bus reaches Lake Shikotsu for a 40-minute self-guided visit. The lake is known as Japan’s northernmost ice-free lake and has been selected as the country’s cleanest water. Those are good reasons to take a few minutes at the shore and look closely at the water, rather than treating this as only a quick photo stop.

The short visit also sets a limit. You will not have time to explore the area at length, and the lake cruise is not in service, so don’t plan on boarding a boat. You can use the stop to walk, take in the lakeside setting or browse the restaurant and souvenir shop, Memere, if it is open.

Show your regular sightseeing bus ticket stub at Memere for 10 percent off eligible food, drinks and souvenirs. Some items are excluded, and the shop is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with possible closures on other days. Check before counting on the discount.

If your tour date falls during the Lake Shikotsu Hyoto Ice Festival, listed for February 1 to 24, you can visit it as an optional extra. The stop allows only 47 minutes for the festival, and admission costs ¥1,000 for adults; children in elementary school and younger enter free. Keep a close eye on the return time. A festival visit is not a reason to miss the bus.

Mushroom Kingdom Otaki: a brief roadside pause

At about 11:25, the bus stops at Mushroom Kingdom Otaki for 25 minutes. It is a short, self-guided break on the way to Lake Toya, not a major sightseeing visit. Think of it as a chance to stretch your legs and take a pause before lunch.

The schedule does not specify what you will do there, so I would avoid building a particular activity around this stop. Its usefulness is mainly practical: a little time off the bus helps break up a long drive.

Lunch beside Lake Toya

The tour reaches Toya Kohan-tei at about 12:40, with roughly 70 minutes for lunch and time at the lakeshore. Having a meal included makes the day easier to budget and avoids using a short sightseeing stop to find a restaurant. The hotel’s setting by Lake Toya is part of the appeal, and the meal is a chance to sit down rather than eat on the move.

The menu may change depending on the season and the ingredients available. If you have particular dietary needs, the details provided do not confirm that special meals can be arranged, so check with the operator before booking rather than assuming.

Lake Toya was formed by a volcanic eruption around 100,000 years ago. That caldera origin gives the lake a striking scale and makes it a fitting stop before the afternoon’s Mt. Usu visit. Still, the visit is time-limited: lunch, a look at the water and a short wander are realistic; a long lakeside walk is not.

Mt. Usu: ropeway views and weather plans

At about 14:00, you get around 90 minutes at Mt. Usu. The ropeway ticket is included, so you can ride toward the summit area without buying that admission separately. The geopark setting is designed for appreciating the region through nature trails, signs and guides, although your time at the stop is shared with the ropeway ride and any other activity you choose.

Wear shoes and clothes that are comfortable for walking. There is a footpath to the summit, and even if you do not plan a long walk, uneven or exposed paths are easier to manage in practical footwear than in dress shoes.

The Showa Shinzan Bear Farm is optional and paid on site. Showing your bus ticket stub reduces the listed price for adults from ¥900 to ¥800, and for children from ¥500 to ¥400. You will need to choose how to use the stop’s limited time, especially if you want both the ropeway and the farm.

Weather can change the plan. If strong wind or poor conditions close the ropeway, the operator says you will receive a token for the ropeway and visit the Bear Farm instead, subject to change. Some attractions may also be skipped because of capacity or weather. This is a mountain stop, so flexibility matters more than a promise of a particular view.

Nakayama Pass and the return to Sapporo

The itinerary includes a 15-minute stop at Nakayama Pass around 16:55, followed by the return journey. The bus is scheduled to start dropping people off from 17:35, with listed stops at Jozankei Hot Springs, Apa Hotels and Resort Sapporo, several Susukino-area hotels, the Sapporo Clock Tower and Sapporo Station. The timetable gives different arrival estimates, ending at Sapporo Station at about 18:30.

Traffic and weather can shift the schedule, and heavy snow may close the expressway or Bifue Pass. In that case, the course may be cancelled. If you have a dinner reservation or train to catch, leave a sensible buffer rather than planning around the exact listed arrival time.

What the price includes

The spring and summer package starts at US$87.05 and includes round-trip transport, lunch, the Mt. Usu ropeway, the digital audio guide and insurance provided by the operator. The Sapporo TV Tower ticket is included too, giving the package value beyond the day trip itself. Prices can vary, so check the amount for your travel date and selected package.

The TV Tower ticket is valid for three days: the tour date, the day before and the day after. For example, a tour on March 15 gives you a validity window from March 14 to March 16. Present the electronic voucher at the observation deck entrance reception on the Tower’s third floor. This extra flexibility means you do not have to fit the tower visit into the already full bus-tour day.

The Bear Farm admission, any ferry fare and personal expenses are not included. The lake cruise is currently unavailable, so ferry fare is not something to budget for on that stop. Tips are also not included.

Overall, the price makes most sense if you want the bus transport, lunch and ropeway, and will use the TV Tower ticket. If you prefer to spend hours at one lake or set your own pace, the fixed schedule may feel restrictive. You are paying for an efficient route and fewer transport decisions, not a private or in-depth tour.

Who will get the most from this tour

I’d recommend this for a first visit to Hokkaido, especially if you are based in Sapporo and want to see two lakes and a volcanic area without renting a car. It also suits people who value an included lunch and a guided transport plan more than independent wandering. The audio guide makes the route more accessible to non-Japanese speakers, though it does not guarantee that every spoken comment will be translated.

Families should note that children aged 0 to 4 ride free only if they do not need a separate seat, and infants and children must still be included in the passenger headcount. Children aged 15 and older pay the adult rate. Child seats are not available.

The activity is not recommended for people with heart disease or for pregnant women. Weather and capacity can alter the Mt. Usu portion, and winter road conditions can affect whether the tour runs. Pack for the day’s forecast, and choose comfortable walking shoes if you expect to use the Mt. Usu trails.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a straightforward, full-day outing from Sapporo that combines Lake Shikotsu, Lake Toya, Mt. Usu, lunch and a TV Tower ticket. The strongest value comes from having transport and key admissions bundled together, with enough flexibility to use the tower ticket on another day.

Skip it if you want a slow visit, a lake cruise or the freedom to choose how long you spend at each stop. The route covers plenty, but the clock is always part of the experience. If you are comfortable with that trade, this is a practical way to see a broad slice of Hokkaido in a single day.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from the Regular Sightseeing Bus Counter on the north side of JR Sapporo Station, near the west concourse. Exchange your voucher at the counter before going to the bus stop.

What time should I arrive?

Arrive at 8:10 to redeem your voucher. The bus departure is listed as 8:30, and you should be at the location 20 minutes before departure.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served at Toya Kohan-tei beside Lake Toya. The menu may change with the season and ingredient availability.

Is the Lake Shikotsu cruise available?

No. The Lake Shikotsu cruise boat is not in service and is unavailable on this tour.

Is the Mt. Usu ropeway included?

Yes. Admission to the Mt. Usu ropeway is included, though strong wind or bad weather can close it.

Is the Showa Shinzan Bear Farm included?

No. Admission is optional and paid at the site. Showing your bus ticket stub gives a discount on the listed adult and child prices.

Is there a tour guide in English?

The tour includes Japanese-speaking staff and a digital audio guide that you download to your phone. Audio is available in multiple languages, but spoken staff comments may be in Japanese.

What does the Sapporo TV Tower ticket cover, and when can I use it?

The ticket is included and is valid for three days: the day before the bus tour, the tour date and the day after. Present your electronic voucher at the observation deck entrance reception on the third floor.

Are young children charged?

Children aged 0 to 4 are free if they do not occupy a separate seat, but they must be included in the passenger headcount. Children aged 15 and older pay the adult rate.

Can weather change or cancel the tour?

Yes. Traffic and weather can change the schedule, and attractions may be skipped because of weather or capacity. The course may be cancelled if heavy snowfall closes the expressway or Bifue Pass.