Sapporo: Jozankei, Hoheikyo & Lake Toya Small-Group Tour Private Sightseeing Tours

Small-group autumn tour (max 9) from Sapporo. Ride an electric shuttle into Hoheikyo gorge, stroll past crimson maples at Futami Park, cruise Lake Toya, and visit Showa Shinzan volcano.
Leave Sapporo in a minibus capped at 9 seats and spend the day chasing Hokkaido's finest autumn scenery south of the city. Your driver-guide meets you at Sapporo Station North Exit, then the minibus rolls through suburban landscapes into the forested Toyohira River valley.

The first stop is Jozankei Futami Park. A suspension bridge arcs over the river, and in autumn the canopy below blazes red and gold. Pause on the bridge for photos, then wander the riverside paths where maple leaves drift onto the water. This is a place to slow down and let the colours sink in.

From Jozankei, board a quiet electric shuttle bus into Hoheikyo gorge. The shuttle glides through a narrow valley where hillsides turn crimson, burnt orange, and lemon yellow in October. At the end of the ride, Hoheikyo Dam stands tall above the river — an arch dam framed by painted hills. The reservoir behind it, Hohei Lake, mirrors the autumn slopes in its turquoise water. Walk the dam observation deck and take in the full panorama. You have about 40 minutes to explore the area at your own pace.

Next, the minibus carries you over the mountains to Lake Toya, a caldera lake formed by a volcanic eruption 110,000 years ago. The lake sits still beneath surrounding peaks, and in autumn the foliage along the shoreline glows against the deep blue water. Spend 90 minutes lakeside — grab lunch at a local restaurant, stroll the waterfront promenade, or ride up to the observation deck for a sweeping view of the lake, Nakajima Island, and the volcanic rim.

The afternoon continues to Showa Shinzan, a red-brown lava dome that rose from a farmer's wheat field between 1943 and 1945. Steam still curls from its flanks. Stand at the base and look up at a mountain that did not exist a century ago — a rare chance to witness the earth still building new land.

Your final stop is YoTei Meisui Park, at the foot of Mount Yotei, one of Hokkaido's most iconic peaks. Crystal-clear spring water filtered through volcanic rock flows here year-round at a constant 7 degrees Celsius. It is ranked among Japan's Top 100 Named Waters. Fill a bottle, taste the chill, and enjoy a quiet moment in the park before the minibus heads home.

Two booking options are available. The Meeting Point Pickup option is priced lower — simply join the group at Sapporo Station North Exit. The Hotel Pickup option includes door-to-door service: the guide picks you up at your Sapporo hotel and drops you back after the tour. Both options share the same itinerary, the same small-group atmosphere, and the same driver-guide.

Autumn foliage in southern Hokkaido peaks from late September through mid-October, though timing shifts each year with weather. The combination of volcanic landscapes, a caldera lake, and a forested gorge makes this route one of the most scenic drives on the island — and with just 9 seats, every window is a good one.

Per garantire la disponibilità, prenota il prima possibile. La prenotazione anticipata è consigliata soprattutto se stai pianificando il viaggio durante l'alta stagione come le festività pubbliche o i fine settimana.

Questa escursione può essere annullata senza costi fino a 24 ore prima dell'inizio del viaggio. Se la annulli dopo 24 ore o non ti presenti all'escursione, ti verrà comunque addebitato il prezzo intero dell'attività. Essere in ritardo al ritiro o alla partenza sarà considerato come non presentarsi.