Yes. This is one of the key advantages of booking with Daytrip rather than a fixed-route service. You can add Lake Shikotsu as a sightseeing stop on your way between Tomakomai and Sapporo, or any other city on your itinerary. Your driver will wait while you explore, so there is no need to arrange separate transport back. If you are traveling between Sapporo and a ferry departure in Tomakomai, for example, a lakeside stop turns a functional transfer into a genuine highlight of your trip.
Tomakomai is approximately 60 km (37 miles) from Sapporo. By private transfer, the drive typically takes around 50 to 70 minutes depending on traffic and your exact pickup and drop-off points. Trains on the JR Muroran Line also connect the two cities, generally taking around an hour with limited express services. A private transfer gives you the flexibility to leave on your own schedule, stop along the route if something catches your eye, and arrive directly at your destination without navigating platforms or luggage restrictions.
For Lake Shikotsu alone, plan on at least three to four hours to take a boat tour, walk one of the crater rim trails, and enjoy the lakeside views. If you are combining Tomakomai city with the lake, a full day of seven to eight hours gives you room to explore comfortably without rushing. The lake's trail network varies in difficulty, so the time you spend can scale with your energy and interests. Arriving in the morning lets you catch the lake at its calmest and most photogenic.
Tomakomai sits at a practical crossroads of southern Hokkaido. It is roughly equidistant from Sapporo to the north and Noboribetsu, Hokkaido's famous hot spring town, to the southwest, which is around 40 km (25 miles) away. The port also connects to Sendai and Tokyo by overnight ferry, making Tomakomai a natural start or end point for a Hokkaido road trip. A private transfer lets you move between these destinations with your luggage handled and your itinerary intact, rather than coordinating buses and trains across a region where public transport can be infrequent.
Lake Shikotsu is the centerpiece, offering boat rides on the crystal-clear water, lakeside hiking paths, and views of the surrounding volcanic peaks including Mount Eniwa and Mount Tarumae. Tarumae is an active stratovolcano with a relatively accessible summit hike that rewards climbers with views across the lake and toward the Pacific coast. Back in Tomakomai, the wetlands area at Tomakomai Experimental Forest and the coastal stretch at Midorigaoka Park offer quieter, local experiences. The combination of volcanic landscape, pristine lake, and industrial harbor character makes this a more layered destination than it first appears.
Tomakomai is Hokkaido's largest port city and one of Japan's busiest industrial harbors, but its real draw for day trippers lies just beyond the city limits. The star attraction is Lake Shikotsu, a stunning caldera lake about 30 km (19 miles) away, renowned for some of Hokkaido's clearest and coldest waters. The lake sits within Shikotsu-Toya National Park and offers hiking trails, boat tours, and dramatic volcanic scenery. Tomakomai itself features the Tomakomai Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples and a coastal park popular with locals. For travelers who want natural Hokkaido without the crowds of Sapporo's most famous spots, this area delivers.
Daytrip is a private car service platform that connects you with local drivers who will transport you door-to-door. We also give you the opportunity to explore sights/attractions along the way. We drive, you discover.
Daytrip offers private door-to-door transfers with optional sightseeing stops, hourly driver hire, and curated day trips — all with local English-speaking drivers and operating across 130+ countries.
For private trips, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure.
Yes! Book a private, door-to-door airport transfer with a local English-speaking driver. Enjoy fixed and transparent pricing, no hidden fees, and the option to pay in advance without the hassle of exchanging cash at a foreign airport.
You will receive the vehicle that best fits the number of travelers in your group, ranging from a sedan to a van for groups of up to 7. Depending where you travel, you can book anything from a sedan comparable to a Toyota Corolla to a Mercedes V-Class to a Classic Cuban Car. While the exact model may vary, we always ensure that the vehicle provided meets your needs in terms of safety, reliability, and comfort. You may be upgraded to a larger vehicle class free of charge depending on availability. Since our largest vehicle seats 7, for groups larger a combination of vehicles will be used. We will send you the exact vehicle details a few days before your trip.
Everywhere except the USA, drivers will supply appropriate child seats (just let us know during booking). In the USA, certain states require you to supply your own child seats.
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So, so happy I stumbled upon this website to book two private transports while visiting Lima, Peru. They were both one-way trips approximately 3 hours in length. Great communication as soon as everything was booked via email and I then downloaded their app. I had a few issues with the app and the customer service was awesome trying to assist me in getting it corrected. Honestly impressive customer service which gave you a positive feeling that you made the right choice. Both drivers were right on time - No issues whatsoever! Can't say enough about the service and ease of everything when travelling so far away. Great job to the daytrip team! Would strongly recommend.
