The next morning, we enjoyed a wonderful buffet breakfast spread at the resort and watched with intrigue as the snow plough worked hard to keep the driveway clear of snow.
There were some incredibly brave souls who were determined to have a go at the ski slopes in spite of the hostile weather and the ski lifts not being in operation. They must have taken at least half an hour to trudge up the slopes and only 1 minute to ski down. Pretty hard work for a fleeting moment of pleasure. It reminds me of how at amusement parks we have to wait 1 hour just to take a roller-coaster ride that lasts less than a minute. The lengths we humans go through to pursue our passions!
After breakfast and when the weather calmed down a little, we set off for what would be the most entralling leg of our winter drive, heading towards the Noboribetsu Hot Springs.
Driving through the highlands that morning was truly magical, with the snow glistening in the morning sun.
At some points, save for the tire marks and the marking posts lining the sides of the road, it would be practically impossible to make out where the road ends and the fields begin. It simply looked like a single sheet of winter white, the colour of the ground perfectly matching that of the cotton clouds in the sky.
We reached Lake Toya around noon-time. Wow, what a scenic place!
Lake Toya is a volcanic caldera lake within the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. With its crystal clear waters and little islands in the middle, it is so beautiful that it is impossible to take a bad photograph!
After lunch we continued on our journey towards the Noboribetsu Hot Springs.
This is part 6 of my Hokkaido Winter Drive blog series, click HERE for part 7 where I share about our walk through the valley of fire and brimstone!
- Part 1 – 2017 Hokkaido Winter Drive
- Part 2 – Sapporo to Jozankei
- Part 3 – Jozankei to Otaru
- Part 4 – Otaru City
- Part 5 – Otaru to Niseko
- Part 6 – Niseko to Lake Toya, Noboribetsu
- Part 7 – Jigokudani (Hell Valley)
- Part 8 – Kojohama
- Part 9 – Back to New Chitose Airport
- Part 10 – Concluding Thoughts
My wife and I enjoy having guests over at our place for fellowship over a nice home-cooked meal. If you would like to drop by to try some of my wife’s wonderful cooking and to talk more about travel and life, do drop me a mail at lenniechua@gmail.com to arrange a dinner date! Everyone welcome!
- 2018 Bali Drive Blog Series
- 2017 Hungary Winter Drive Blog Series
- 2017 Hokkaido Winter Drive Blog Series
- 2018 Drive from Singapore to Thailand Blog Series
- 2017 Drive from Singapore to Thailand Blog Series
- 2016 Drive from Singapore to Thailand Blog Series
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Hi lennie,
I am chee hoo from malaysia and heading to hokkaido on 11th Jan and would like to know more(share some tips) about the snowy road condition you had dealt with from niseko to lake toya as i have intention to rent a car for that journey. As i had read from few sites it seems quite dangerous therefore would like to check with you.
Thanks.
Hi lennie,
I am chee hoo from malaysia and heading to hokkaido on 11th Jan and would like to know more(share some tips) about the snowy road condition you had dealt with from niseko to lake toya as i have intention to rent a car for that journey. As i had read from few sites it seems quite dangerous therefore would like to check with you.
Thanks.
Hey bro, sorry for late reply, been super busy with work. I think that as long as you are not driving in a snowstorm, it should be fine. When the weather is sunny, even with snow on the roads it is not too much of a problem. Just watch out for your visibility ahead and leave a greater breaking distance.