From Sapporo Private Tour : Lake Toya, Bear Ranch & Noboribetsu
Description
Experience the best of Hokkaido with ease: savor fresh dairy at Lake Hill Farm, enjoy panoramic views from Silo Observatory, and relax at Toyako Hot Spring Street with a lunch.(Cost Does Not Include Lunch) Take in stunning vistas from the Mount Usuzan Ropeway, and explore the volcanic beauty of Noboribetsu Jigokudani. We provide private car service with a bilingual driver for seamless transport. Bring family and friends and make the most of your Hokkaido adventure!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Located in the rich nature of Lake Toya, this gelato store is directly managed by the farm. Visitors are captivated by the gelato made with milk from the farm and ingredients from Lake Toya. (No admission fees required.) Departure from Sapporo Station at 8:30 AM. And takes approximately 120 minutes to Lake Hill Farm. A year-round itinerary: 8:30 Departure from Sapporo 10:30-11:00 Lake Hill Farm 11:20-11:40 Silo Observatory 11:50-12:50 Toyako Hot spring street ((free lunch time) 13:00-14:30 Mount Usu Ropeway or Showashinzan Bear Ranch 15:30-16:00 Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley) back to Sapporo If your hotel is in Toyako or Noboribetsu, you can end your journey there without returning to Sapporo.
The Silo Observation Deck is located on the western shore of Lake Toya, at the edge of the land surrounding the lake, and offers a panoramic view of the shimmering blue waters of Lake Toya, as well as the islands, Mt. The collaboration of cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, and autumn leaves in the surrounding area is also a must-see. (No admission fees required.) Takes about 5 minutes from Lake Hill Farm by car . A year-round itinerary: 8:30 Departure from Sapporo 10:30-11:00 Lake Hill Farm 11:20-11:40 Silo Observatory 11:50-12:50 Toyako Hot spring street ((free lunch time) 13:00-14:30 Mount Usu Ropeway or Showashinzan Bear Ranch 15:30-16:00 Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley) back to Sapporo If your hotel is in Toyako or Noboribetsu, you can end your journey there without returning to Sapporo.
Onsen Street in Lake Toya offers a variety of restaurants, including Japanese cuisine, seafood restaurants, ramen shops, cafes, and Western-style restaurants. You can enjoy fresh seafood dishes such as crab, salmon, and scallops, as well as traditional ramen or breaded pork cutlets. Additionally, the local onsen street offers a selection of regional specialties and desserts. (Cost Does Not Include Lunch) Takes about 10 minutes from Silo Observatory by car. A year-round itinerary: 8:30 Departure from Sapporo 10:30-11:00 Lake Hill Farm 11:20-11:40 Silo Observatory 11:50-12:50 Toyako Hot spring street ((free lunch time) 13:00-14:30 Mount Usu Ropeway or Showashinzan Bear Ranch 15:30-16:00 Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley) back to Sapporo If your hotel is in Toyako or Noboribetsu, you can end your journey there without returning to Sapporo.
Usu, an active volcano on Lake Toya's southern shore, is accessible via the 96-seat Usu Ropeway. The 6-minute ride from Showa Shinzan foot station offers views of Mt. Showa Shinzan, Lake Toya, and Mt. Yotei. The Usuzan Ropeway takes you near the volcano's summit. The upper deck offers panoramic views of Lake Toya and Showa Shinzan, while a nearby deck provides views of the ocean and Mount Usu’s largest crater, formed by the 1977 eruption. (Ropeway ticket not included.) The drive from Toyako Hot Spring Street to the Mount Usu Ropeway takes about 10 minutes. A year-round itinerary: 8:30 Departure from Sapporo 10:30-11:00 Lake Hill Farm 11:20-11:40 Silo Observatory 11:50-12:50 Toyako Hot spring street ((free lunch time) 13:00-14:30 Mount Usu Ropeway or Showashinzan Bear Ranch 15:30-16:00 Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley) back to Sapporo If your hotel is in Toyako or Noboribetsu, you can end your journey there without returning to Sapporo.
Overview Located at the foot of Mount Usu in Hokkaido, the Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch is home to over 100 brown bears in a semi-wild environment. Visitors can safely observe bears up close—from playful cubs to powerful adults—making it one of the most popular family attractions in the region. Highlights Bear Feeding Experience: Purchase special food and throw it directly to the bears. Watch as they wave, beg, and perform adorable gestures to get your attention—perfect for memorable photos. Cub House: See baby bears up close and learn about their growth and behavior in a safe environment. Scenic Views of Showa Shinzan: Right next to the ranch stands the impressive Showa Shinzan volcano, a nationally protected monument formed during an eruption in 1943. The dramatic landscape offers a unique backdrop for your visit. Gift Shop: Find cute bear-themed souvenirs and Hokkaido-exclusive snacks to take home.
This site features an 11-hectare crater with a 450-meter diameter, formed by Mt. Hiyori's volcanic activity. Numerous fumaroles and bubbling water gave rise to the name “Oni no sumu jigoku” (Where the demon’s live). Around 10,000 tons of hot spring water flow from this area daily, serving local hotels and inns. (No admission fee required.) The drive from Mount Usu Ropeway to Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley) takes about 60 minutes by car. A two-hour drive returns to Sapporo. Alternatively, you can end the trip at Lake Toya Onsen or Noboribetsu if you’re staying there. A year-round itinerary: 8:30 Departure from Sapporo 10:30-11:00 Lake Hill Farm 11:20-11:40 Silo Observatory 11:50-12:50 Toyako Hot spring street ((free lunch time) 13:00-14:30 Mount Usu Ropeway or Showashinzan Bear Ranch 15:30-16:00 Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley) back to Sapporo If your hotel is in Toyako or Noboribetsu, you can end your journey there without returning to Sapporo.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
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Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Tour duration includes travel time
Reviews(3)
I specifically booked an English-speaking driver, but the driver was actually Japanese and did not speak English. While he was very kind and professional, this was simply not what I had booked. The schedule of the trip was very tight, leaving little time to properly visit some of the spots. Additionally, the driver was very strict about the timelines. Given that this was a private trip, I expected some level of customization and flexibility, or at least consideration of our preferences—perhaps the language barrier didn’t help in this regard. This tour is ideal for ‘completionists’ who want to visit the largest possible number of places in one day. However, it does not offer great value as a private trip. I’m giving two stars instead of one solely because the driver was very kind and professional.
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We are truly sorry that we did not provide the English-speaking driver you had specifically booked. While our driver was kind and professional, we understand that the language barrier and the strict schedule made the trip less enjoyable than you expected. We take your comments very seriously and have already taken steps to improve. From now on, we are able to arrange drivers who speak fluent English to better support our international guests. We will also work to make our itineraries more flexible so that private tours can be adjusted according to guests’ preferences. We sincerely appreciate your honest feedback—it helps us improve our services. We hope you might consider giving us another chance in the future to provide you with the experience you originally expected.
Mr Yoneda was an enthusiastic, helpful and had enough English knowledge to communicate with us. The 8 hour tour had enough rest stops, we were able to sample local specialties and the sites were beautiful and interesting.
Thank you very much for your 5-star review! We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour with Mr. Yoneda and appreciated his enthusiasm and helpfulness. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed the local specialties and beautiful sights. We look forward to welcoming you again on another trip with Monchan Travel!
This was a great tour if you are looking to get out of Sapporo and see the countryside. We were able to explore the Lake Toya area, and all of the stops were highlights. Our driver was very nice and the car was comfortable for our group size. One thing to note is that this day is fully packed, and your stops are timed so that you're able to get back before evening. That said, the itinerary is well laid out to allow for a pretty perfect amount of time at each destination.
Thank you so much for your 5-star review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed exploring the Lake Toya area and that the itinerary provided just the right balance of sightseeing. It’s wonderful to know our driver and vehicle made your day comfortable. We look forward to welcoming you again on your next trip with Monchan Travel!
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