Mt. Usu Hiking Tour
Tour Overview
Hike up a volcano and visit Lake Toya!
Mt. Usu sits next to Lake Toya and the Pacific Ocean. Having last erupted in 2000, it is one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, with fumaroles visible from it’s crater. This hiking tour takes you up through a beautiful forest until you reach the crater path. From there you get panoramic views of Uchira bay and the magnificent Mt. Yotei, otherwise known as ‘Hokkaido’s Fuji’. Here we will have a rest and enjoy our lunch. We will then make our way back down the same path and back to the car.
We will then go to a viewpoint looking over Lake Toya and the volcanic craters remaining from the 2000 eruption. Next, we head down to the UNESCO Toya-Usu Geopark Visitor Center where you can read about the nature and history of Lake Toya and Mt. Usu. Lastly, we will drive back to Noboribetsu via Orofure Pass, a beautiful country road over the mountains.
Details
- Duration: 6-7 hours (3 hours hiking). 9AM start – early or late start available for private tours depending on availability.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Max participants: 4 people
- Equipment: Hiking poles available
- Clothing: Layers that can be easily removed or added are advised. Rain jacket and hiking shoes/boots are needed. A backpack to put your camera and water in is also advised. On sunny days, a hat, sunglasses and sun cream is also a good idea. Do not wear jeans as you will get cold if they get wet.
- Food and drinks: Please bring water. A sandwich and drink is included.
- Pick-up: Free pick-up and drop-off is available in Noboribetsu and Noboribetsu Onsen.
- Payment: Cash only
Itinerary
8:30-9:00: Pick-up (Free pick-up from Noboribetsu and Noboribetsu Onsen)
9:00-10:00: Drive to Mt. Usu trailhead
10:00-11:30: Hike up to the summit
11:30-12:00: Have a break and a snack at the summit
12:00-13:00: Hike back down to the start point
13:00-14:30: Drive back and stop by Lake Toya and the Geopark centre on the way
14:30-15:00: Drop off and say goodbye!
Know before you go
- This is a physical activity and participants should be able to climb up and down uneven terrain over a distance of 6.5km.
- Please prepare for bad weather even if it is sunny, mountain weather can change quickly.
- Tour will be either be canceled or postponed (if possible) if bad weather occurs.
- If there is an injury or the guide deems it unsafe to carry on, the tour will finish.
- Please prepare your own insurance as Nobo Tours does not have insurance for its customers.