Day 3 (Part 1): Lake Toya

Day 2 can be accessed here.

Day 3 (Part 2): Noboribetsu can be accessed here.

Day 4 is coming up soon!

Lake Toya 洞爺湖

I realised that I did not plan for much time to be spent within Sapporo for this trip and would be taking quite a number of day trips out to nearby locations. Would be headed to Lake Toya and Noboribetsu today! Had to wake up really early today to catch the 7.30 am train to Lake Toya and this time round I felt it as there was no sleep buffer from the previous day. The journey on the Hokuto 87 Limited Express Train on the Muroran Line took about 2 hours which allowed me to catch up on some precious sleep.

Zoomed by quite a lot of awesome scenery on the train, but usually the photo moment is gone by the time I whip out my camera

Reached Toya station at around 9.30 am

The G-8 Summit in 2008 is a huge source of pride for Toya. They even have a memorial museum for it by Lake Toya.

Toyako-Onsen 洞爺湖温泉

The connection time I had from alighting the train to boarding the Dounan bus just outside the station was a mere 3 minutes. Of course I was scrambling to figure out where the bus stop was and how I should purchase a ticket!~ Thankfully the helpful train station staff gave me the right directions and sold me the discounted round trip bus ticket. Must either buy the ticket from the train station or pay in cash on the bus as you can not use the Suica/Pasmo card!~

A single way ride costs 330 yen, so you save 60 yen (about 1 SGD) by purchasing the round trip ticket from the JR station

The obligatory first-time-on-bus-in-Japan photo. Was the only young person on the bus and I would soon learn later why.

The bus ride from Toya station to Toyako-Onsen bus terminal takes about 20 minutes and it takes you through a winding road meandering short hill ranges before finally reaching the lake area. Japanese bus drivers are thankfully not the speed devil types that you encounter in other parts of East Asia. I was soon the only passenger left as the rest of the elderly folk alighted along the way to Toyako-Onsen. Had requested for the bus driver to inform me when we are reaching Lake Toya and he chanced a guess that I was a tourist. I was thinking that this should not be a major surprise but he went on to elaborate that it was usually easy to tell tourists from the residents as they are usually much younger. He jovially added that today was much easier as I was the only customer left heading to Lake Toya which made it very obvious. ^^

Approaching the Toyako-Onsen area, you can see Lake Toya to the left.

Did not really need the driver's help in the end as the terminal was so huge that you could not miss it.

I liked the idyllic and peaceful environs at Lake Toya, something that I would only truly appreciate when I visited Tokyo and Hong Kong subsequently. Was told that the lake usually did not get that many visitors and the figures are likely to be even lower on a weekday where I happened to visit. The (major?) problem of solo travelling cropped up once again - I had to try to find someone to help me take photos of me since not everything can be selca-ed. Thankfully the local fishermen and shopkeepers were very enthusiastic when approached, unfortunately the photos taken did not turn out as well as expected. ^^;

Lakeside Path 遊歩道

That castle on the left is actually a ship. Mind blown. It's for sightseeing trips around the lake actually, something that I unfortunately did not get to do as I was running a bit tight on time.

The spot where powderful people made their G-8 summit declaration in 2008. 

This was taken outside the Volcano Science Museum. Wondered and asked why the guy was spraying snow onto and not off the carpark. He chuckled and dryly said that he was trying his best to open up a driveway and clear the snow off the carpark but the sprayer can not aim that far way.

Konpira Crater Trail 金比羅火口散策路

Awww. I love Toya too!~ Just strolling around leisurely and taking my time to enjoy both views of the beautiful lake in the foreground and majestic mountains in the background was quite an awesome experience.

The memorial trail of the Konpira Craters showcase what could happen when a volcano erupts and let loose huge amounts of mud onto a populated area.

So cute!~ Wildlife educational exhibit at the Toyako Visitor Centre

Ah yes the ashiyus (foot baths) is supposedly an important tourist fixture when strolling on the Lakeside Path. But this Touron no Yu was totally dried up and there was only a lot of yucky yellow sulphur residue left where you should dip your foot.

Was very lucky to be there on a clear day so the snow-capped Mt. Yotei in the distant left side is visible. It provides a lovely contrast to the lush green ridge containing Eboshi Iwa on the nearer right side.

There were a lot of sculptures at Lake Toya. Really liked this one as it gave off a happy yet relaxed vibe. Also it's located at the western end of the 1.8 km Lakeside Path near Toya Kohan Tei which meant I had earned my walking keep for lunch today. ^^

Swung by a pretty old school provisions store on my way to Sobakura for lunch. Was quite enamoured by all the retro beer posters the store had on the wall and also the stunningly wide array of condiments available. I did not know that there can be so many different types and brands of soya sauces. The store owner even kindly explained to me that you had soya sauce for sashimi then you had soya sauce for other types of food such as meat which could be then further broken down into more specialised sauces for beef etc.

Posters mentioned earlier are in the far top

Had previously wrote about my interesting encounter at Sobakura on facebook but I should mention it in this blog as well. The story behind the extremely huge serving of handmade chilled soba for my Tenzaru soba order goes like this:

Shop owner: (as I enter and sit down) do you need an English menu?

Me: (surprised, first time so fast tio identified) this Japanese menu is fine too. How did you know I'm a foreigner?

Shop owner: you're young. Most of my customers are grandmas and grandpas

Me: please give me your recommended item on the menu

Shop owner: (a while later with my food) more soba for you, service! Young people need to eat more!

Me: (sheepish) thank you very much ^^; 

Sobakura (そば蔵)
Address: 北海道虻田郡洞爺湖町洞爺湖温泉36

Was quite the huge spread, am still unwilling to eat brinjal no matter where I go. The three huge ebi (hidden behind that brinjal) are the star of the meal with their lightly-flavoured yet crispy batter. The handmade soba noodles completes an already delectable dining experience.
Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars

G8 Summit Commemorative Museum G8サミット記念館

Had a bit of time before the bus heading to Toya station so decided to go walk around the Hokkaido Toyako Summit Commemorative Museum just next to the bus terminal. The summit in 2008 seemed to be centred around environmental sustainability given the huge thematic focus on Earth as our one home throughout the museum. Was quite interesting seeing the various memorabilia attributed to the then leaders of the "8 most powerful nations"(?), such as a samurai sword presented to George Bush.

A photo of famous and powerful people

A photo of the signatures of famous and powerful people

A photo of a not famous and not powerful person trying to act famous and powerful

For a nice, relaxing and soothing hot spring experience, click here!