Toyako

Yoshi was surprisingly good at speaking english. we did not have a hard time communicating with him. he brought us to all beautiful places within Toya. highly recommended!

Traveling to scenic spots by minibus is perfect for solo travelers; the guide not only provides explanations but also helps with taking photos – awesome! They also keep an eye on solo travelers and recommend local food and specialties.

I was worried because we were six men who couldn't speak any Japanese, but everything went according to plan as we had originally requested when making the reservation. The driver was kind enough to accompany us at each stop and explain everything, and we had no trouble communicating in English.

1. Five-star tour guide Lin Biao Biao, humorous, witty, and attentive. He contacted us the day before via WhatsApp or LINE. 2. These attractions are difficult to reach without a car, so they are well worth it. Especially considering the heavy snowfall today, whether you have driving experience in blizzards is a risk factor! 3. I don't really like snowmobiles. Firstly, they're expensive, 15,000 yen per person, and the guide recommended a solo experience. But I felt the snowmobile I rode today was quite old? The handlebars were very difficult to control. I consider myself a pretty good snowmobile rider in Taiwan, but this one sometimes didn't go left or right as I expected. Plus, with valleys beside it, losing control could really lead to an accident. I suggest being mentally prepared and prioritizing safety, especially when going downhill, where the pressure to keep up with the car in front makes it feel more dangerous than exciting. 4. Lake Toya seems more beautiful from a distance; it's very cold up close. The green yogurt was delicious, and the guide also recommended buying the red-packaged horse oil. 5. The farm stop was short and boring. The ice cream at the stop wasn't the rich, creamy kind. 6. I didn't really like the bear ranch. I don't like seeing animals kept in captivity. Be careful when feeding the bears biscuits; some weaker cubs might not get any and are too afraid to approach. Some of the mid-generation bears were repeatedly circling in the stands; I wonder if they were anxious. There's a cafeteria next door called something like "Volcano." Find a seat first, then order from the machine. The curry rice and eel rice are okay. The ramen seems to be famous. I suggest eating at the cafeteria first (35 minutes), then going to the bear ranch (less than 15 minutes). There are also clean toilets for urination and defecation. 7. We went to Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley) during a blizzard; the ground was covered in slippery black ice. 8. In the end, the itinerary wasn't delayed, and we even got back to Sapporo Station a little earlier. Conclusion: The itinerary was quite tight. We had to get to the meeting point around 7 AM and traveled until 5:30 PM. The tour bus space was more cramped than I expected. I initially felt carsick, had a headache, and felt nauseous on the mountain roads. If possible, sitting in the front section will allow you to interact with the tour guide on the bus, greatly enhancing the entire trip. The tour guide is fluent in English, Chinese, and Japanese! Remember to bring an umbrella, windproof gloves, and a waterproof jacket.