Toyako Usuzan Geopark
Quick Facts
- Location
- Japan
- Category
- National Park & Nature
- Duration
- 1.5-2.5 hours
- Opening Hours
- Daily 08:15-17:00 · Ropeway from ~8:15; last run 16:30-17:45 by season; crater trail closed Nov-Apr; some winter maintenance days, confirm
- Ticket Price
- Adult: Usuzan Ropeway (round trip) JPY 2000 adult, JPY 1000 child · Geopark trails free; ropeway paid, summit views of Lake Toya & Showa-shinzan
- Address
- 184-5 Showashinzan, Sobetsu, Usu-gun, Hokkaido 052-0102, Japan
- Coordinates
- 42.5350, 140.8330
Introduction
The Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano Global Geopark sits south of Lake Toya in Hokkaido, a UNESCO Global Geopark. Mount Usu is among Japan's most active volcanoes, erupting four times in roughly a century (1910, 1943-45, 1977-78, 2000); Showa-shinzan, the lava dome at its foot, rose in 1943-45. The Usuzan Ropeway climbs in ~6 minutes from the Showa-shinzan base to the summit, where the Lake Toya and crater-plain observatories overlook the blue caldera lake, its central island and the steaming red earth — a close-up of a living volcano and disaster preparedness.
✨ Highlights
🛈 Practical Info
Opening Hours
| Monday | 08:15-17:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 08:15-17:00 |
| Wednesday | 08:15-17:00 |
| Thursday | 08:15-17:00 |
| Friday | 08:15-17:00 |
| Saturday | 08:15-17:00 |
| Sunday | 08:15-17:00 |
Ropeway from ~8:15; last run 16:30-17:45 by season; crater trail closed Nov-Apr; some winter maintenance days, confirm
Ticket Information
| Adult | Usuzan Ropeway (round trip) JPY 2000 adult, JPY 1000 child |
|---|
Geopark trails free; ropeway paid, summit views of Lake Toya & Showa-shinzan
Transportation
10 min from Lake Toya Onsen, 2 hours from New Chitose Airport
15 min bus from Lake Toya Onsen to Showa-shinzan base
Ropeway 6 min one way, base to summit
FAQ
What are the opening hours of Toyako Usuzan Geopark?
Monday: 08:15-17:00; Tuesday: 08:15-17:00; Wednesday: 08:15-17:00; Thursday: 08:15-17:00; Friday: 08:15-17:00; Saturday: 08:15-17:00; Sunday: 08:15-17:00; Ropeway from ~8:15; last run 16:30-17:45 by season; crater trail closed Nov-Apr; some winter maintenance days, confirm
How much is the admission for Toyako Usuzan Geopark?
Adult: Usuzan Ropeway (round trip) JPY 2000 adult, JPY 1000 child; Geopark trails free; ropeway paid, summit views of Lake Toya & Showa-shinzan
How long should I spend at Toyako Usuzan Geopark?
A typical visit takes 1.5-2.5 hours.
How do I get to Toyako Usuzan Geopark?
Driving/Parking: 10 min from Lake Toya Onsen, 2 hours from New Chitose Airport; Bus: 15 min bus from Lake Toya Onsen to Showa-shinzan base
