Lake Toyoni, Natural lake in Hidaka Range, Japan.
Lake Toyoni is a natural lake in the Hidaka Range located within a dense forest area, where emerald waters are surrounded by mountains at an elevation of 260 meters. The water body spans approximately 30 hectares, and the thick forests surrounding it give the location a secluded feel.
The lake was originally called Kamuito but was later renamed Lake Toyoni in honor of the nearby Mount Toyonidake. This renaming reflects the close connection between the water body and the surrounding mountain range.
The lake gained widespread recognition across Japan after appearing in a television commercial that highlighted its distinctive heart shape and turned it into a popular destination for photographs. Visitors often come to experience the form themselves or view aerial images of it.
The lake is accessible via forest trails through the surrounding woods, with the best visiting conditions depending on your preferred experience. October helicopter tours offer aerial views to observe the autumn colors from above.
The lake is the only natural water body within the Hidaka Range and features a heart-shaped outline visible from above. This unusual form makes it a distinctive feature of the mountain chain.
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