Private Sapporo tour: Lake Toya, Noboribetsu & Lake Shikotsu

Three lakes, one volcanic valley, no crowds on the road

A private van tour from Sapporo to Lake Toya, Noboribetsu's Jigokudani (Hell Valley) and Lake Shikotsu, with hotel pickup, all entrance fees and an English-speaking driver-guide. The tour runs eight to ten hours and caps at six guests, so you travel without the noise of a large coach. Lunch is on your own. Choose between a microbus with guide or a private luxury minivan at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Lake Toya1h
2. Lake Shikotsu45m · entry included

Sapporo to Lake Toya and Noboribetsu

• Hotel pickup in Sapporo
• Visit Lake Toya and Toyako Onsen
• Explore Noboribetsu Jigokudani Hell Valley
• Walk to Oyunuma hot spring crater lake
• Visit Lake Shikotsu and enjoy sightseeing
• Return to Sapporo hotel drop-off

The experience

The day starts at your Sapporo hotel and moves through Hokkaido's volcanic landscape at a pace that lets you linger. Lake Toya is a nearly circular caldera lake ringed by volcanic mountains, with the hot spring town of Toyako Onsen along the shore. From there, the route heads to Noboribetsu, where Jigokudani (Hell Valley) is the main draw: steaming sulfur vents, rust-colored volcanic rock and bubbling hot springs rise directly from the earth, and walking trails let you get close to the geothermal activity. A gentle path near Hell Valley leads to Oyunuma, a hot spring crater lake with milky sulfur water and a natural foot bath where you can soak in warm spring water while forest surrounds you.

Lake Shikotsu, the last stop, sits within Shikotsu-Toya National Park and is Japan's second deepest lake. The water is famous for its clarity, locals call it "Shikotsu Blue", and the lake rarely freezes even in winter. You'll see the surrounding peaks, including Mount Tarumae. All three lakes and Hell Valley entrance fees are included, as is the air-conditioned van and hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in central Sapporo. The driver is a local English speaker who provides sightseeing commentary throughout the day.

You pick your vehicle at checkout: a microbus with guide, or a private luxury minivan. Both options cap the group at six guests maximum, so the van never feels crowded. The full day runs eight to ten hours. Bring lunch or plan to eat at a stop. The operator does not include a meal.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in central Sapporo.
• private air-conditioned van for up to six guests.
• entrance fees to Lake Toya viewing platform, Noboribetsu Jigokudani and Lake Shikotsu.
• English-speaking local driver-guide with sightseeing commentary throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 09:00

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Fun in Hokkaido

Is this one for you?Pick the microbus with guide if you want the emphasis on local knowledge and sightseeing introduction, or the private luxury minivan if comfort and space matter more to you: both cap at six guests, so either way you avoid the noise and pace of a large coach tour.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

What is Jigokudani and what will I actually see there?

Jigokudani (Hell Valley) is the volcanic heart of Noboribetsu Onsen, where the earth continuously releases steam, sulfur and hot spring water. Walking trails take you through rust-colored volcanic rock and past bubbling vents and pools, so you witness the geothermal activity up close rather than from a distance.

Are the lakes just viewpoints, or can I do anything at them?

Lake Toya has a viewing platform where you can stand and see the caldera and surrounding mountains. Lake Shikotsu offers sightseeing boats and canoe routes along the shore if you want to get on the water, though these are not part of the tour package. Oyunuma, near Hell Valley, has a natural foot bath where you can soak your feet in warm spring water while you sit in the forest.

How many people will be on the van with me?

The van holds a maximum of six guests, so your group never exceeds that size. You can book the microbus with guide or the private luxury minivan. Both cap at six.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not included. You'll have time to eat at one of the stops along the route, or you can bring your own food.

Will I have a guide, or just a driver?

You have an English-speaking driver-guide who provides sightseeing commentary and introduction throughout the day. If you choose the microbus option, the guide role is emphasized. The luxury minivan option includes the same driver-guide service.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Sapporo; the private air-conditioned van; entrance fees for Lake Toya viewing platform, Noboribetsu Hell Valley and Lake Shikotsu; and the driver-guide's commentary. Lunch, personal expenses and optional activities like sightseeing boats are separate.