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Mount Usu
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · JP

Mount Usu

Getting around: From Sapporo, take a JR train to Toya Station (about 1-1.5 hours), then a bus toward the Usuzan Ropeway station near Lake Toya.
Hours: Ropeway typically operates 8:30am-6pm or similar (seasonal variation), open daily; paid ropeway ticket.

Mount Usu is an active volcano near Lake Toya that has erupted several times in the 20th and 21st centuries, most recently in 2000, and a ropeway carries visitors most of the way up for views over the lake and the volcano's still-visible eruption craters and debris fields. The surrounding area includes remnants of buildings damaged by past eruptions, preserved as a reminder of the volcano's ongoing activity.

It's usually visited together with Lake Toya given their close proximity, making a natural half-day or full-day combination for visitors interested in both scenery and volcanic geology.

Mount Usu FAQs

Is Mount Usu still active?

Yes, it has erupted multiple times in the 20th and 21st centuries, most recently in 2000, and remains an actively monitored volcano.

How do I get to the viewpoint?

A ropeway near Lake Toya carries visitors most of the way up the mountain for views over the lake and eruption craters.

Is there a fee?

Yes, a paid ropeway ticket.

Can I see damage from past eruptions?

Yes, some preserved building remnants and debris fields from past eruptions are visible in the surrounding area.

Is it near Lake Toya?

Yes, they're close together and typically visited as a combined half-day or full-day outing.

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