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

Lake Shikotsu’s clear water and forested shore make a striking first stop, but the real appeal is seeing two great Hokkaido lakes in one day without arranging a long-distance drive. The route also brings you to volcanic Mount Usu, where the ropeway offers a view from above.

I like that lunch and the Mount Usu ropeway are included, so the price covers more than bus seats and a string of photo stops. The Sapporo TV Tower ticket gives you another outing to fit into your schedule, too.

The trade-off is a brisk timetable, with short visits at each stop and no English-speaking tour guide promised. The audio guide helps, but if you want detailed conversation and plenty of time at each place, this is not the right format.

A few things to know before you go

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• Lake Shikotsu stays ice-free in winter, and its water is known for exceptional clarity.
• Lake Toya formed after a volcanic eruption about 100,000 years ago.
• The Mount Usu ropeway ride is included, but Bear Farm admission costs extra.
• Lunch is served at Toya Kohan-tei, a lakeside hotel, with the menu subject to seasonal changes.
• The tour runs from Sapporo, with a morning departure and several return drop-offs around the city.
• The TV Tower ticket is valid for three days, including the day before and the day after your bus tour.

👉 See our pick of the 4 Best Guided Tours In Hokkaido

From Sapporo to Hokkaido’s lakes

This is a full-day coach trip for people who want to see a lot of southern Hokkaido without sorting out trains, local buses, and separate tickets. You leave Sapporo in the morning, travel through forest and mountain country, and return in the early evening. The route links Lake Shikotsu, Lake Toya, and Mount Usu, with a roadside stop along the way.

The tour is priced from US$87.05 for the spring and summer package with lunch and a Sapporo TV Tower ticket. That can be good value if you would otherwise pay for transport, a meal, and the Mount Usu ropeway separately. You also get round-trip transfers and insurance provided by the operator. The main value is convenience: these sights are spread out, and visiting all of them in one day by public transport would take more planning.

The experience is not a guided walking tour. Japanese-speaking staff accompany the bus, and a digital audio guide is available to download to your phone. That distinction matters. You get recorded explanations in multiple languages, but you should not expect a guide to narrate every moment in your language or answer questions along the way.

One visitor found that the Japanese guide sometimes spoke between audio segments, leaving non-Japanese speakers out of the joke or announcement. Another appreciated being able to listen in Korean. I’d treat the audio as useful background, not a substitute for a dedicated multilingual guide. Bring a charged phone and any earphones you need, and check the audio download instructions before departure.

Lake Shikotsu: clear water, short stop

The first major stop is Lake Shikotsu, where you have about 40 minutes to explore on your own. The lake is known as Japan’s northernmost ice-free lake, meaning it generally does not freeze even in winter. Its clear water is also associated with the distinction of being selected as the cleanest in the country.

That combination makes the stop worthwhile in any season. In warm weather, the water and forested slopes set a calm tone for the day. In winter, the contrast between an unfrozen lake and the cold surrounding country is part of the appeal. The stop is self-guided, so use the time for a lakeside walk, a quick look around, or a warm drink if conditions call for it.

The Lake Shikotsu cruise boat is not operating as part of this tour, so don’t plan on getting out on the water. If the Ice Festival is running during your visit, it is an optional extra with a separate admission fee: ¥1,000 for adults, with children of elementary-school age and younger admitted free. The tour allows only about 47 minutes at the lake, so festival time comes straight out of your already short stop. Keep a close eye on the bus departure time.

Show your regular sightseeing bus ticket at Restaurant Memere for a 10 percent discount on eligible food, drinks, and souvenirs. The shop and restaurant may close on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and can close on other days as well, so think of the discount as a possible bonus rather than a sure thing.

Mushroom Kingdom Otaki: a practical pause

After Lake Shikotsu, the bus stops for about 25 minutes at Mushroom Kingdom Otaki. This is a short, self-guided break rather than one of the day’s headline sights. It gives you a chance to stretch your legs and take a breather before lunch and the longer visit around Mount Usu.

A brief stop like this can be useful on a full coach itinerary, but it is best not to expect a major attraction. Keep your eye on the clock and be back at the bus promptly. The day has several scheduled stops, and a late return can cut into time at the places you came to see.

Lunch beside Lake Toya

At about 12:40, the tour reaches Toya Kohan-tei for lunch. You have around 70 minutes there, and the meal is included in the package. The hotel sits on the shore of Lake Toya, giving the midday stop a setting that is part of the experience, not just a place to refuel.

Lake Toya is a caldera lake created by a volcanic eruption around 100,000 years ago. Its broad basin and volcanic origins help explain why this part of Hokkaido feels so different from a simple lakeside picnic stop. You do not need to be a geology buff to appreciate the scale, but it is worth knowing that the lake is part of an active volcanic region.

The menu can change with the season and ingredient availability. If you have strict dietary needs, the details provided here do not confirm that a particular alternative meal is available, so check before booking rather than assume. The lunch stop is self-guided, which means you can use any remaining time to enjoy the lake views or take a short walk near the hotel.

Mount Usu: the day’s high point

The tour allows about 90 minutes for Mount Usu and nearby attractions. The included ropeway ride is the main event. From the upper station, you can look out over the volcanic area and Lake Toya, seeing the region’s lakes and landforms from a different angle than you get at the shoreline.

Mount Usu is part of a geopark, where trails, signs, and guides help explain the forces that shaped the area. The timetable is limited, so focus first on the ropeway and the views. There is a footpath toward the summit, but wear shoes and clothing that make walking comfortable. Conditions can change, and the operator may adjust which attractions are visited because of weather or capacity.

Show your bus ticket stub at Showa Shinzan Bear Farm to receive a discounted admission price. Entry is not included, and the farm is optional. If strong winds or poor weather close the ropeway, the operator may substitute a visit to the Bear Farm instead, with the exact arrangement subject to change. In that case, the ropeway portion cannot happen, so keep expectations flexible.

This is where the tour’s tight schedule is most noticeable. The ropeway, walking paths, and optional farm compete for the same short window. You may need to choose rather than try to do everything. If a longer hike is your priority, a bus tour with fixed departure times will feel limiting.

Nakayama Pass and the ride back

After Mount Usu, the bus makes a 15-minute stop at Nakayama Pass, then heads back toward Sapporo. Return drop-offs begin around 17:35, with stops that include Jozankei Hot Springs, Apa Hotels and Resort Sapporo, several hotels in the Susukino area, the Sapporo Clock Tower, and Sapporo Station. The timing depends on road and weather conditions, so leave some slack before booking evening plans.

Winter travel needs extra caution. The tour may be cancelled if heavy snowfall closes the expressway or Bifue Pass, and traffic can affect the schedule even when the roads stay open. The itinerary is especially appealing in winter, but the weather that makes the region beautiful can also disrupt the day.

The Sapporo TV Tower ticket adds flexibility

The TV Tower ticket is a separate perk, not a stop on the bus route. It is valid for three days, covering the day before, the tour date, and the day after. To use it, present the electronic voucher at the observation deck reception on the TV Tower’s third floor.

That flexible window is handy if you want to spread out your sightseeing instead of squeezing one more attraction into a long day. It also means the ticket has value only if you plan to visit the tower. The tour does not provide a refund if you choose not to use it.

Is this tour worth the price?

At a starting price of US$87.05, the package offers a practical bundle: transportation from Sapporo, lunch, the Mount Usu ropeway, and a TV Tower ticket. Those inclusions make the cost easier to justify than a basic sightseeing bus, especially if you intend to use the ropeway and eat at the lakeside hotel.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If your aim is to see the two lakes and Mount Usu without renting a car or working out several connections, the coach format saves effort. If you prefer unhurried walks, flexible meal stops, or in-depth live commentary in your language, the fixed schedule and audio-guide setup may feel too limited.

The bus departs from the Regular Sightseeing Bus Counter on the north side of JR Sapporo Station. Voucher redemption is listed for 08:10, with bus departure at 08:30, so arrive early and exchange your voucher at the counter first. There is no staff member waiting at the bus stop to handle voucher redemption. Infants and children must be included in the passenger count; children ages zero to four ride free only if they do not occupy a separate seat, and those 15 and older pay the adult rate.

Who should book this Hokkaido day trip?

I’d recommend this tour to first-time visitors based in Sapporo who want a convenient look at Hokkaido’s lakes and volcanic scenery. It suits you best if you’re comfortable with a full day on a bus, brief independent visits, and recorded commentary rather than a guide who stays beside you throughout.

Book it if the included lunch and ropeway fit your plans, and if seeing several far-flung sights matters more than lingering at one. Look elsewhere if you want a long hike, a lake cruise, guaranteed live interpretation in your language, or more time to explore at your own pace. The cruise is not available on this tour, and the Bear Farm costs extra.

FAQ

Is the Mount Usu ropeway included?

Yes. Admission to the Mount Usu ropeway is included. If strong winds or poor weather close it, the operator may change the plan and visit Showa Shinzan Bear Farm instead. Bear Farm admission is not included.

Is lunch included?

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

Can I take a boat cruise on Lake Shikotsu?

No. The Lake Shikotsu cruise boat is not operating and is not available during this tour.

Is there a tour guide who speaks English?

A Japanese-speaking staff member is included, and a digital audio guide is available for download to your phone. The tour does not include a live tour guide, so don’t expect continuous spoken commentary in English.

How long is the tour, and where does it return?

The tour leaves from Sapporo in the morning and returns from about 17:35, with several drop-off points in the Sapporo area. The schedule can change with traffic and weather.

How long can I use the Sapporo TV Tower ticket?

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