Sculptures and Art Around Hokkaido’s Lake Toya

Lake Toya in northern Japan is about to get famous: the G8 Summit will be held there in July 2008. But what will the politicians be able to see in their time off? Basically, a vast and beautiful lake with a mountain backdrop. But there are all kinds of details to Lake Toya which some of them might discover.

Lake Toya, or Toyako as it is referred to in Japanese, is found in a volcanic region of Hokkaido, the northern-most island of Japan. It has a few of interesting claims to fame: it's the most northern lake in Japan that doesn't ice over, it is the second most transparent lake in Japan (you can see clearly to a depth of 10 meters) and it is the third deepest lake in Japan. It was formed as a caldera, similar to a crater, nearby the still active Mount Usu volcano.

Around the lake, you can find the village of Toya, and on its western side, the tourist resort of the Toyako Onsen, or hot spring baths. While I personally enjoyed the more authentic Japanese feel of friendly Toya, the G8 politicians are probably more likely to relax in the Toyako Onsen resort, if they can work out the niceties of bathing in a Japanese spa.

When the weather is fine, the best activity in the area is to walk around Lake Toya. There are paths and grass areas, but take a picnic lunch as snacks or stalls are rare. Surrounding Lake Toya you'll find all kinds of amazing art works and sculptures. They are part of the Gurutto Chokoku Koen (Sculpture Park), put together in a joint effort by the towns of Sobetsu, Abuta and Toya.

The sculpture park follows the theme "song in praise of life", and many of the artists have incorporated the life of the lake into their artwork to celebrate its beauty. My favourite sculptures are those that frame the river and the volcanic mountain backdrop. In total, there are 57 sculptures placed around the lake, and they're worth the walk.

There are also other activities around Lake Toya: you can go boating and fishing, and you can even camp near the lake if you want. There are also small sightseeing cruises which take you around to different viewing points over the lake. If you visit in summer, they often hold small festivals with nightly fireworks above the lake; winter is, of course, a much colder affair.