Lake Toya: Hokkaido’s Volcanic Wonder (2025 Ultimate Travel Guide)

Embark on your Japan trip from Lake Toya, Hokkaido. A caldera lake sits next to Mt. Usu, one of the active volcanoes in Hokkaido. They are not only the unparalleled natural highlights, but also known as the Toya-Usu UNESCO Global Geopark, where you can gain a rich and multisensory experience, enjoying stunning natural views, hot springs, and savoring Hokkaido food flavor.

Exploring Lake Toya in Shikotsu-Toya National Park can be one of the best things to do in Hokkaido. In this article, we offer you practical insider tips, top attractions, and hidden gems of Lake Toya. Plan your Hokkaido National Park exploration now!

Lake Toya Origins & Unique Features

Located inside the Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Lake Toya is renowned as a volcanic lake, characterized by onsen and the active volcano, called Mount Usu.

A Caldera Born from Fire

Lake Tōya is also an ice-free lake, formed by a volcanic eruption nearly 110,000 years ago. Apart from the nice view of the lake, the ecosystem inside is suitable for various kinds of outdoor activities, such as fishing, cruising, camping, hiking, etc.

Why It’s Called “Toya”

Toya, とうや in Japanese, is derived from “to-ya” in the Ainu word, which means lakeshore. The aboriginal people, Ainu, named the lake “Kim un to”, which means lake in the mountains. Toya is its modern form, and the name indicates indigenous people’s understanding of the relationship between the lake and the mountains.

Top Attractions & Experiences at Lake Toya

Lake Toya Cruise & Nakajima Island

A sightseeing boat is available at Nakajima, surrounded by flourishing plants, where some wild animals exist. You have a chance to spot wild sika deer, squirrels, and woodpeckers. From the board, you are offered stunning natural scenery when taking a Lake Toya cruise. Here we provide some information about the cruise.

Lakeside Hot Springs

As mentioned above, Lake Toya Onsen was created after the volcanic eruption, during the Meiji period (1868-1912). The first onsen inn was born by the lake in the early 1910s. And many natural hot springs in crater lakes drove the emergence of a series of onsen inns along the lakeshore. Since then, Lake Toya, featuring volcanic hot springs, attracts about 3 million visitors every year to soak in Toyako Onsen for relaxation while enjoying the seasonal beauty of the Lake.

Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch

Bear Ranch in Showa Shinzan provides visitors with a chance in the park to see bears as they spend a day and feed them with cookies or apples, which is a family-friendly activity. When noticing someone holding food, bears will act like begging to draw people’s attention to feed them. Besides, you have a chance to see the bear cubs’ debut in May and observe them at a safe distance.

In addition to bears, you may encounter a variety of Lake Toya wildlife in this Shikotsu-Toya National Park as well, covering foxes, owls, woodpeckers, ducks, fish, squirrels, etc.

Mount Usu

Toya-Usu earns its fame as the first UNESCO Global Geopark in Japan, of which a variety of outdoor recreations are offered, like boating, cycling, and camping. Or you can hike Mount Usu or ride the Usuzan Ropeway for panoramic views from the peak of Mt. Usu, which provides many photography spots.

There is only one popular route allowing visitors to hike Mt. Usu, which is open from late April to mid-November and closed in winter. The walking trail is considered a slightly challenging route, which is estimated to take about 17 minutes to finish. And if setting up at quiet times, you’ll gain a tranquil hike.

Lake Toya Sculpture Park

When taking a stroll along the Lake, tourists can visit the Lake Toya Sculpture Park in an open space to enjoy the combination of nature and art. Sorts of sculptures, including 58 sculptures as Anthem of Life theme, are displayed in this natural art gallery, where you can get a close-up to observe and touch those artworks.

Visit the Toya Volcano Science Museum

In the Toya Volcano Scenic Museum, you can see a display of various specimens and learn about the Mt. Usu history, how the volcano works, the formation of the crater lake, and the disaster prevention methods. It is a museum with educational significance, and suitable for families with kids.

Seasonal Highlights

Natural beauty here changes with seasons and dots the Lake Toya all year round. Different seasons are fit for various recreations. Some seasonal events and outdoor activities are as follows.

Summer Fireworks Festival (Apr 28–Oct 31)

One of the most attractive events in summertime belongs to the Lake Toya fireworks, held from April 28 to October 31. Tourists can admire the fireworks popping in the sky from the waterfront. Except for windy or stormy conditions, this large firework will last for 20 minutes every night, from 8:45 pm to 9:05 pm.

Beyond that, summertime allows people to enjoy a variety of events outdoors to interact with nature, including motorboat cruising, floating by canoe, riding, and camping. People can float on the lake while feeling cool breezes in summer.

Winter Magic: Ice-Free Lake & Snow Adventures

Winter tends to unravel a scroll, with cover-snowed and red-dyed mountains and tranquil scenery. Fresh hot food and the warmth of soaking in an onsen can be the most enjoyable things in winter.

Stepping into the silver wonderland to enjoy snowshoeing near Showa Shinzan and horseback riding. In cold weather, it has fewer crowds compared with other seasons. Outdoor entertainment in winter will bring you a silent and free experience.

As one of the biggest attractions in Lake Toya, Toyako Onsen Winter Fireworks prepare a visual symphony for tourists, with shiny golden stars and glittering fireworks in the night sky.

Spring Cherry Blossoms & Autumn Foliage

Flourishing plants mixed with an earthy aroma are the sign of spring. When it comes to early May, cherry blossoms and plums in full bloom add some colors and dot the breathtaking landscape, which draws numerous people to capture their evanescent beauty. You can be a part of this picture and enjoy this precious view in different ways, like hiking, riding, and jogging.

When autumn comes, this little world will be dyed with yellow, orange, and red by vibrant fall foliage. It is a comfortable season for traveling, when people can stroll around the lake while feeling a refreshing breeze on their face to enjoy the thriving nature.

Travel Tips for Visiting Lake Toya

Best Time to Visit Lake Toya

Lake Toya has diverse must-sees in different seasons. The best time to visit Lake Toya depends on what you are looking for. Lake Toya fireworks in summer, horseback riding and snowshoeing in winter, cherry blossoms in summer, and vibrant foliage in autumn are all waiting for your exploration. From natural beauty to outdoor activities, they will bring you a colorful, rich experience and enrich your trip to Japan.

How to Get to Lake Toya

From Sapporo

It will take approximately 2 hours by car from Sapporo to Lake Toya. And the trip is estimated to cost 4,000 JPY, if along the expressway.

Taking a one-way trip via limited express trains (from Sapporo to Toya station) will take you 2 hours and cost you 6,690 JPY. And a 15-minute bus ride is necessary from Toya Station to Lake Toya.

From New Chitose Airport

It will take approximately 1.5 or 2.5 hours by car from New Chitose Airport to Lake Toya. And the journey is estimated to cost 3,000 JPY.

If getting to Lake Toya via the Japan railway, you will spend 1.5 hours and 5,860 JPY. And the route is like:

Get on the New Chitose Airport → Get off at Minami-Chitose Station → Transfer to the limited express train → Get off at Toya Station

Tip: Make a reservation before taking the limited express train.

Where to Stay

Apart from stunning landscapes and local cuisines, comfortable accommodation plays an important role in a Hokkaido trip as well. Here we enumerate some ryokans for your reference.

Toyako Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace belongs to a lakeside resort, where visitors can soak in the public bath while enjoying views of the Lake. And tourists can also enjoy a delicious buffet to fill their stomach, including sushi, steak, pizzas, etc. Besides, paid shuttle service is available.

Hotel Grand Toya is a lakeside resort and a relatively budget-friendly option. Each room here offers views of Lake Toya. The restaurants nearby offer a local and authentic menu so that tourists can enjoy a kaiseki meal with a Japanese flavor.

As one of the lakeside resorts, the Lake View Toya Nonokaze Resort is popular. Tourists can enjoy the panoramic view of Lake Toya. In the new onsen resort, 10 kinds of rooms and four styles of food can be your alternatives.

Hidden Gems & Local Experiences

Nishiyama Crater Walkway

The creation of this walkway needs to dates back to 25 years ago. Mount Usu erupted and destroyed the surrounding buildings and roads. That destroyed area was developed into walking trails today, which is a lesser-known hiking trail, and is suitable for those who seek quietness.

Extending from Toyako Visitor Center, this crater walkway leads the way to the Nishiyama parking lot and passes through some new craters. Walking along this route will take you 40 minutes, where you can witness the destructive force of the volcano.

Local Cuisine: Try Jingisukan (Lamb BBQ)

In addition to diverse types of authentic dishes from sea or farm served by restaurants, visitors have the chance to taste the typical Hokkaido food, Genghis Khan, which belongs to a Japanese grilled lamb dish popular among locals and tourists. It is usually served with vegetables and various sauces, and tastes more flavorful.

Lake Hill Farm

Sitting in the south of Hokkaido, Lake Hill Farm provides cows a large natural field to grow healthily so that they can produce fresh and delicious milk, where tourists can see many cows eating grass and enjoy the spectacular views of Mt. Yotei in the distance and an overlook of Lake Toya.

One of the best things to do at Lake Hill Farm is to savor the fresh Hokkaido dairy ice cream. Surrounding shops and cafes in the ranch offer high-quality handmade ice cream made with fresh milk. Other desserts and lunch are available so as to visitors can taste natural flavor, combined with delicious meals to fill their stomach while enjoying the landscapes.

Sobetsu Fruit Orchards

Sobetsu Fruit Village is home to 18 kinds of fruits and is accessible to tourists, where you can taste fresh and delicious fruits and experience apple-picking activities at Fujimori Fruit Farm. Not only does the farm offer freshly picked fruits, but it also has a variety of processed fruit products, like juice and jams with different flavors.

Noboribetsu Hell Valley

Noboribetsu Hell Valley, also known as Jigokudani, looks like a real hell, which features hot steam spouting from cracks, and the odor of sulfur. It is also the main source of Noboribetsu Onsen.

There is a walking trail, the Onibi no Michi, around Noboribetsu, deserving a visit, which means the path of ghostly light, and it will be illuminated to create a mysterious ambience. Walking along the path at night can bring you a unique hiking experience. Besides, there will be fireworks every summer.

FAQs about Lake Toya

1. Is Lake Toya worth visiting in winter?

Yes. Lake Toya provides visitors with various seasonal beauty and specific activities, of which winter activities include ice fishing, snowshoeing, ice-free lake views, etc. And the Lake in winter has fewer crowds, which is suitable for someone seeking tranquility.

2. Can I swim in Lake Toya?

No. Lake Toya has a deepest point of 180 meters (5.9 ft). It is too deep to swim in Lake Toya.

3. How many days should I spend at Lake Toya?

It is recommended to take a 2 or 3-day trip. The main attractions and activities cover cruises, hikes, onsen, etc., and the general itinerary is as follows for your reference.
Day 1: Nature & Relaxation
Morning cruise → Lunch at a lakeside café → Afternoon onsen experience.
Day 2: Adventure & Culture
Hike Mount Usu → Visit Bear Ranch → Evening fireworks (seasonal).
Day 3: Local Exploration
Science Museum → Souvenir shopping at Toyako Town

Explore Lake Toya with Hi Five Trip

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