A-Yin bought his wooden sword here – a must-visit Hokkaido destination for passionate Gintama fans: Lake Toya

▲ The wooden sword of Sakata Gintoki, the male protagonist of Gintama, was reportedly purchased at Lake Toya. The area also offers plenty of Gintama merchandise. (Photo by reporter Chen Rui-zhong, the same below)

Reporter Chen Rui-zhong / Report from Hokkaido

Situated in southern Hokkaido, Lake Toya is Japan’s ninth-largest lake and third-largest caldera lake. With its graceful lakeside vistas, the Lake Toya–Usu Volcano Global Geopark has earned recognition as both a Japanese and UNESCO Global Geopark. The lake itself is also one of Japan’s Top 100 Scenic Spots. For manga fans, the wooden sword held by Sakata Gintoki in Gintama is claimed to have been given to him by the “Sage of Lake Toya” at this very lake, giving visitors of all ages unique experiences when they come here.

▲ Misty Lake Toya exudes a uniquely romantic charm.

Formed by volcanic activity, Lake Toya covers an area of approximately 70.7 square kilometers and reaches a maximum depth of 180 meters. In spring and summer, its shores are lush with greenery; its abundant water volume prevents freezing even in winter, creating a stunning contrast of snow and blue water. On weekdays, the “Nakajima Island” in the lake is often shrouded in delicate mist, enhancing its tranquil ambiance and adding a touch of shy allure to the lake.

▲ Lake Toya.

Aside from admiring the lake, anime fans can also find Gintama merchandise at shops around Lake Toya. Gazing at A-Yin’s wooden sword while looking out over Lake Toya is a fun experience. For those wanting to dive deeper into the world of Gintama, the shop “Echigoya” in the hot spring district offers some of the most authentic wooden swords from Lake Toya.

▲ Echigoya – a must-visit spot for Gintama fans. (Photo / from the Facebook page of Lake Toya Echigoya 【Toyako-Echigoya】, Hokkaido, Lake Toya)

In the manga, A-Yin actually ordered the wooden sword from Echigoya through a TV shopping channel, which helped make the store famous. Nowadays, Echigoya has evolved from a traditional souvenir shop into a sacred site for anime fans, selling a wide range of anime-related goods. When visiting Lake Toya, why not follow in A-Yin’s footsteps and discover a different kind of joy?

Lake Toya Observation Deck
Address: 3-1 Naruka, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido Prefecture 049-5832

Echigoya
Address: 71, Toyako Onsen, Toyako-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido, Japan
Business Hours: 09:00–20:00

More Japan travel <<<<<<<<<<<<请前往《东森旅游玩乐志》