Summer Escapes

Just an hour’s drive from Niseko, Lake Toya offers a different kind of stillness—one filled with the laughter of friends, the smell of barbecues, and the feeling of soft grass under your feet.

In this week’s photo, we’ve set up camp beneath a wide summer sky. The sun is bright but not heavy, filtered through leaves that rustle gently in the breeze. It’s a scene that feels simple and full: fresh air, open space, and time that seems to stretch a little longer than usual.

Lake Toya is only about 60km from Niseko, but it feels like stepping into another world. The deep blue water, framed by mountains, reflects the season in all its vibrant energy. Families set up tents, children run barefoot, and the air carries the unmistakable scent of summer in Hokkaido—clean, green, and alive.

After a long winter, this is how locals reset. We slow down, reconnect, and fill our lungs with the warmth of the season. It’s not about rushing to see everything. It’s about being here, fully—sensing the sunshine on your skin, the cool drink in your hand, the sound of a distant splash in the lake.

From Niseko’s snowy slopes to Toya’s lakeside calm, Hokkaido holds something for every season. And summer? It just might be our best-kept secret.

See you next week with another sensory moment from the heart of Hokkaido.

https://www.team-accent.com