Lake Tōya & Nakajima Island: Japan's Majestic Hideaway Unveiled

Join us as we walk through a beautiful island in the middle of a lake, in one of Japan's famous 'power spots'. Will you feel the energy like we did?
Lake Tōya, not to be confused with Lake Toya Jackson (which isn't a thing, but should be, if you ask me), is a volcanic caldera lake located in Shikotsu-Tōya National Park, Hokkaidō, Japan. It's Japan's northernmost island, renowned for its distinct four seasons, and home to the most polite bears in the world... Okay, maybe that part isn't true. But hey, it's Japan; anything's possible!
As of my knowledge cutoff in 2021, Lake Tōya was known for not freezing over in winter, which is quite a feat considering the Japanese winter would make even a polar bear want to cozy up with a hot cocoa. This trait gives the lake the nickname "the North Pole's hot tub."
The lake is surrounded by mountains, making it feel like a scene right out of a postcard. The largest of these mountains is Mount Usu, an active stratovolcano that apparently didn't get the memo about the "peaceful" vibe of the area, erupting every few decades.
But enough about the land, let's dive into the water (not literally, unless you're a very strong swimmer). Within the lake, there's an island known as Nakajima Island. No, it's not named after the latest anime character. Nakajima translates to "middle island" in Japanese. The island is roughly 5km in circumference and has four distinct peaks, creating a mini mountain range in the middle of the lake. If the island were a tiny nation, it would probably have a heated debate about who gets to be the 'mountain king'.
Nakajima Island is a must-visit for nature lovers. It's an uninhabited island (apart from the local wildlife), that's home to a variety of flora and fauna. There are walking paths leading to observation decks, and if you're lucky, you might spot some sika deer or Hokkaido squirrels going about their daily business. Just don't ask them for directions; their sense of north isn't that great.
Now, some say that Lake Tōya is actually bottomless. Okay, not really. But its maximum depth is 180 meters (590 feet), which would be more than enough to hide Godzilla if he ever needed a break from his busy schedule of smashing cities.
Whether it's day or night, Lake Tōya never ceases to amaze. By day, it's a picture of calm and tranquility. By night, it's home to the Long-Run Fireworks, a spectacle that runs from spring to autumn. It's like the lake's way of saying, "Oh, you thought I was pretty in daylight? Watch this."
So, that's the picturesque Lake Tōya and Nakajima Island for you! Majestic, tranquil, with a dash of fiery spark, it's the perfect blend of beauty and serenity, with a pinch of quirkiness - just like the perfect sushi roll.
did i miss anything? lmk in the comments
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[@norte7549]

hokkaido is hands down my fav prefecture 🥺💕 i’ve seen dosankos refer to nakajima as the “dimple” of lake touya, insanely cute

[@alldayieatlikeashark]

I'm totally with you on this! Hokkaido is an absolute gem! 🎉💎 And can we just take a moment to appreciate how adorable the nickname "dimple" is for Nakajima? 😍💕 Like, how can one place be so cute and charming?

[@aitzaacosta7571]

Nice and refreshing place for a walk. I like that the path has branches to guide you.

[@alldayieatlikeashark]

Indeed! And don't forget to take a moment to breathe in that fresh air and soak in the beauty of the place!

[@vzilkova]

Thanks for sharing. The baby is adorable!

[@alldayieatlikeashark]

Thank you!

[@juliusmccrimmon3942]

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