All Reviews of Silo Observatory

I drove to the Silo Observatory in October, and the view here was incredibly expansive. The entire surface of Lake Toya and the islands in the middle were all visible at a glance. When you take photos next to the large “TOYA” sign, the spectacular lake and mountains are right behind you. You can also occasionally see sightseeing helicopters flying overhead, which makes for a magnificent sight.

After leaving the observatory, it was only a short drive to nearby Lake Hill Farm. There’s a vast green lawn here, with beautiful Mt. Yotei visible in the distance. There were even cute little white sheep grazing with their heads down, creating a very relaxing atmosphere.

The farm’s ice cream shop is in a small wooden building surrounded by autumn trees, giving it a warm, country feel. I ordered a rich soft-serve ice cream and slowly enjoyed it outside while taking in the expansive scenery. It was the perfect way to relax and enjoy a slower pace.

What I was looking forward to most at the Silo Observatory was taking in the view from above! Looking down from the observatory, you can see the entire Otaru cityscape, the port, and the mountains in the distance, with a very wide-open view. Feeling the pleasant sea breeze while slowly taking in the scenery was incredibly relaxing. It's especially beautiful for photos when the weather is good—a place where you can quietly enjoy the view and your time traveling.

What impressed me most about the Silo Observatory was the vast and beautiful scenery. From up high, you can enjoy the surrounding natural landscape, with the distant mountains blending into the sky, making you feel especially relaxed. It's very quiet here and not as crowded as busier tourist attractions, so it's perfect for taking your time to enjoy the scenery and take photos. Seeing such beautiful scenery in person made me realize just how charming Hokkaido's nature really is!

If the weather’s good, you can see really far.

The whole view is so spectacular—totally worth coming at least once.

As soon as you go up, you can see Lake Toya right away. The view is super wide open. Getting scenery like this without having to hike up a mountain feels really generous for an observatory.