Silo Observatory: The Classic View of Lake Toya

The Silo Observatory is the best-known viewpoint over Lake Toya, on the hill above the west shore. From here you look across the lake to Nakajima Island, the hot spring town, Mt. Usu and Showa Shinzan. There is a shop, a café, a restaurant and a free car park, so it doubles as a break on the drive, and sightseeing helicopters take off from here to circle the lake.

1The view of Lake Toya

The observatory stands high above the lake, so the view is wide open: Nakajima, the islands in the middle of the lake, the hot spring town on the far shore, and Mt. Usu and Showa Shinzan beyond it.

Lake Toya is beautiful in summer and autumn, but in winter the snow makes it stand out even more, and you can see snow on Mt. Usu in the distance.

2Helicopter flights and winter snowmobiles

Sightseeing helicopters fly from here from April to about November. The shortest course takes about three minutes and costs 18,000 yen for one to three people (24,000 yen for four); the Nakajima course takes about six minutes. There are no reservations: you join on the day in order of arrival, and when I was there the helicopters took off again straight away, so it looked like you would not wait long.

In winter (late December to early March) you can ride a snowmobile on the snow park beside the observatory, with Mt. Yotei in the background; the standard self-drive course is 5,000 yen, no licence needed.

3Facilities, hours and parking

• A souvenir shop, a lunch restaurant with a lake view (11:30–13:30), a container café with soft-serve and coffee (10:00–15:30, late April to early November) and a lawn to sit on
• Shop hours: about 8:30–18:00 (shorter in winter); it closes on some days without a fixed schedule. The toilets are inside the shop
• The viewing area can be reached from the car park outside shop hours
• Free car park

See the official site (in Japanese) for details.

4How to get to the Silo Observatory

From Sapporo: about two and a half hours. Take the Do-o Expressway toward Tomakomai and Muroran and exit at Abuta-Toyako IC (Date IC is closer if you are going to Mt. Usu first). Follow Route 230 to the lake; at the T-junction by the lake, turn left for the Silo Observatory (right goes to the hot spring town).

From New Chitose Airport: an hour and a half to two hours, on the same expressway to Abuta-Toyako IC.

On the way, Tarumae SA and Usuzan SA both have observation decks with good views.

5Near the Silo Observatory

Lake Hill Farm, about five minutes away by car, serves gelato made with milk from its own farm, with Mt. Yotei behind the meadow. Across the lake, the Mt. Usu Ropeway climbs the volcano for the view back over the lake, and in the hot spring town, Toya Kohantei has a ninth-floor bath looking over the water.

Mt. Usu Ropeway: Lake Toya, Showa Shinzan and the Crater ViewpointA local's guide to the Mt. Usu Ropeway at Lake Toya: the view over Lake Toya and Showa Shinzan, the walk to the crater observatory, prices, hours, parking and how to get there from Sapporo. Lake Toya Day Trip from Sapporo by Car: A Local's Route, Viewpoints and OnsenA local's day trip from Sapporo to Lake Toya by car: Mt. Usu, a lakeside lunch, an onsen with a lake view and the quiet viewpoints on the north shore, with tolls, parking and winter tips.

6FAQ about the Silo Observatory

Q1. What can you see from the Silo Observatory?

Lake Toya with Nakajima Island, the hot spring town, Mt. Usu and Showa Shinzan.

Q2. Is parking free at the Silo Observatory?

Yes.

Q3. How much is the helicopter flight?

The shortest course is about three minutes, 18,000 yen for one to three people; no booking, first come, first served.