Enjoy Spectacular Views and Volcano-Created Cuisine! A Travel Guide to Lake Toya

After the long winter, spring slowly arrives at Lake Toya from late April to early May.
As fresh greenery begins to appear, the lakeside starts to fill with color, and the mild climate makes it a comfortable time to visit.
The beautiful contrast between the blooming flowers and the calm waters of Lake Toya captivates visitors.
Top highlights include famous cherry blossom viewing spots such as Sobetsu Park, the Lake Toya lakeshore, and Ukimido Park.
The best viewing season usually comes around early May, and one of the area's special features is that you can see not only cherry blossoms but also plum blossoms.
You can fully enjoy Lake Toya’s natural beauty through walking, cycling, marathon running, and more.
If you’re interested in Japanese culture, the Toyako Onsen Manga Anime Festa, where you can enjoy cosplay and exhibitions, is also recommended.

One of the main attractions of Lake Toya in summer is the wide variety of activities that let you experience Hokkaido’s great outdoors firsthand.
In addition to casual water play in the parks, you can also try more full-scale outdoor activities such as SUP, motor boating, and camping.
Among them, clear canoeing (clear kayaking), which makes you feel as if you are floating on the water, is especially recommended.
Wrapped in a sense of openness, you can enjoy both the scenery above the lake and the crystal-clear water below, making it a uniquely fun experience.
Another plus is that even children and beginners can ride it easily.
Also, landing on Nakajima by taking a Toya Kisen cruise is available only on the summer seasonal route, so keep that in mind.

In autumn, Lake Toya’s scenery stands out beautifully against the lake’s circular surface, a feature unique to caldera lakes.
The surrounding mountains and forests gradually turn into shades of yellow and orange, coloring the dynamic landscape in vivid seasonal tones.
The main highlight is, of course, the brilliant red autumn leaves of maples, Japanese maples, and rowan trees, which usually reach their best around mid-October.
You can fully enjoy them not only from scenic spots with sweeping views such as Usu Zanfunka Memorial Park and Tsukiura Observatory, but also on a light stroll or a drive around the lake.
As the weather becomes quite chilly, hot spring hopping is also recommended.
Free footbaths and hand baths are scattered around the Toyako Onsen hot spring town, so enjoying the hot springs while strolling through town is another pleasant option.
Since autumn flavors also come into season one after another, this is a highly recommended time for food lovers as well.

In winter, Lake Toya and the surrounding mountains are covered in snow, creating a quiet and beautiful landscape all around.
Because it is the cold season, simply spending time with warm meals and soaking in hot springs feels special even without doing anything extraordinary.
The grand views of Mt. Usu and Showa Shinzan also look even more impressive in the crisp winter air.
Of course, there are also plenty of activities, including snowshoeing across fluffy fresh snow through a silver-white world and the rare experience of horseback riding on snow.
Seasonal events are another big attraction, such as the Toya Snow Festival, where snow slides are built, and the Toyako Onsen Winter Fireworks, which shine under the clear starry sky.
Since temperatures stay below freezing on most days, don’t forget proper cold-weather gear.

One of Hokkaido’s finest scenic spots, located on a hill 170 m above sea level on the western shore of Lake Toya.
It is one of the places where you can see the lake up close, with a grand panoramic view of Nakajima, Mt. Usu, Showa Shinzan, and more.
It is also popular as a photo spot, with the sunrise and sunset being especially breathtaking.
Another plus is that you can enjoy it in every season, with the “Lake Toya Sky Cruising” helicopter experience from May to October and the “Yukiba Hiroba” winter area for snowmobiling and snow rafting.
Inside the facility, there is also a shop selling local specialties and famous Hokkaido sweets, as well as a café, making it perfect for a break during a drive.
Dairy products are especially popular, including the observatory’s original “Lake Toya Caramel Pudding,” known for its creamy texture, and yogurt from the local farm Bokka.

An outdoor art gallery set against the vast natural canvas of Hokkaido, themed around a “hymn to life.”
Around 58 sculptures are arranged as if encircling Lake Toya along its Approx. 43 km perimeter.
A wide variety of works are scattered along the lakeshore, and the way they change in expression with the seasons, weather, and time of day is especially charming.
The artworks also vary in material, including stainless steel and marble, and range from figurative pieces depicting people and animals to abstract works that spark the imagination, making the collection highly rewarding to explore.
You will likely find a favorite piece that moves you.
Take your time strolling along the breezy lakeshore and enjoy the harmony of nature and art.

Mt. Usu is an active volcano that is still volcanically active today. By riding the Usuzan Ropeway, you can enjoy panoramic views of Showa Shinzan, Lake Toya, Mt. Yotei, and the great natural scenery of Mt. Usu from a Swiss-made gondola.
From the Crater Basin Observatory, reached after a 7-minute one-way walk, you can look out over the 1977 crater, the Ginnuma Great Crater, and Uchiura Bay stretching to the Pacific Ocean.

A walking trail developed around the traces of the 2000 eruption of Mt. Usu that also serves as an educational site for volcanic activity.
It preserves the disaster scene as it was, including submerged buildings, damaged facilities, and deformed asphalt.
As you walk along the Approx. 1.8 km promenade lined with railroad ties, you can closely feel the dynamism of the Earth through steaming craters, geothermal zones, and roads deformed by crustal movement. (There is currently no danger from eruption.)
There are also guides nearby, so you can learn about the history of the eruption and its impact on the local area.
The views from the observatory are also beautiful, making it a popular tourist spot.
It is a valuable place where you can feel both the threat and beauty of nature at the same time.
*Sightseeing season: from late April to early November

A museum on Nakajima, the symbol of Lake Toya, themed around living creatures.
You can only land there by sightseeing boat, and it is accessible in about 30 minutes from the Toyako Onsen hot spring town.
Through specimens and dioramas, the museum clearly introduces the rich natural environment surrounding Lake Toya and the diverse plants and animals that live there.
Another feature is that it is divided into three exhibition areas, the “Geopark Information Zone,” the “Nature of Lake Toya and Nakajima Zone,” and the “Nakajima Walking Information Zone,” allowing visitors to learn from different perspectives.
You can feel the appeal of the natural and cultural value recognized by the UNESCO Global Geopark designation.
The museum also has a café with a terrace, so relaxing while enjoying the spectacular view is highly recommended.
*Open season: from late April to the end of October

A free visitor center located a 2-minute walk from Toyako Onsen.
In addition to providing information about nature, volcanoes, the local ecosystem, and plants and animals, it also displays the formation and natural environment of Lake Toya through panels, specimens, and photographs.
You can think of it as a gateway for deepening your understanding of Lake Toya.
At the adjacent Volcano Science Museum, you can learn about the history and mechanisms of Mt. Usu’s eruptions and disaster prevention methods through videos, real materials, and models.
At the giant three-sided screen (13-minute screening), you can experience the eruption as it happened through powerful video and sound, so it is well worth visiting as well.
It is also a great first stop, as you can pick up practical travel information such as tourist guidance and maps.

A sightseeing boat that cruises around Lake Toya, which was formed by a volcanic eruption Approx. 110,000 years ago. Departing from Ekimae Pier in Toyako Onsen, it offers an Approx. 50-minute cruise. From the boat, you can see scenic views including Mt. Yotei, Showa Shinzan, and Mt. Usu, as well as Oshima, Bentenjima, Kannonjima, and Manjuto, collectively known as Nakajima.
There are also sightseeing boats operating to view the Toyako Long Run Fireworks, which are held at Lake Toya every year from April to October.
Two types of boats operate, “Espoir” and “Yotei,” but the medieval castle-inspired “Espoir” is especially worth riding at least once.

Located near the Toyako Onsen hot spring town, this is a valuable place that preserves the history of the 2000 eruption of Mt. Usu to the present day.
Public facilities damaged by hot mudflows, such as “Yasuragi no Ie,” and the remains of places like “Sakuragaoka Housing Complex” have been preserved just as they were at the time.
The collapsed and sunken remains show vivid traces of the devastation, allowing visitors to truly feel the force of natural disasters.
It is not the kind of place to visit for fun, but it offers something that will speak to your thoughts and values, such as the threat of eruptions and how people coexist with volcanoes.
As you continue along the trail, you can also walk the “Konpira Route” within the Toya-Usu UNESCO Global Geopark and observe the ecosystem around the crater group shortly after the eruption.
Coastal plants have begun to grow there, offering a glimpse into nature’s resilience and the process of adaptation.
*Sightseeing season: from late April to early November

A hot spring area created by the volcanic activity of Mt. Yosomiyama during the Meiji era.
It boasts an abundant supply of hot spring water and has more hotels and ryokan inns than anywhere else in Hokkaido. Today, it has become one of Hokkaido’s most popular hot spring resorts, attracting over 3 million visitors a year.
Accommodations line the lakeshore, where you can enjoy a luxurious soak while looking out from guest rooms and open-air baths over the dreamlike Lake Toya, which changes with the seasons, and the beautiful Mt. Yotei, also known as Ezo Fuji.

Boyotei, located on the shores of Lake Toya, is a long-established Western-style restaurant founded in 1946.
Its name comes from Mt. Yotei, which could once be seen from the restaurant.
The exterior retains the atmosphere of earlier times, and the interior has a calm space that reflects its long history.
Even now, 78 years later, it continues to serve the same nostalgic flavors it has offered for generations, making it a charming restaurant with many longtime fans.
The menu is extensive, but the restaurant’s signature “hamburg steak” is especially recommended.
The juicy hamburger steak served on a sizzling hot plate pairs perfectly with the tangy demi-glace sauce, making it an exceptionally delicious dish that will whet your appetite.

Sendoan is a Japanese restaurant located on the eastern side of the Toyako Onsen hot spring town.
Its food and prices are both standard, making it an easy place overall for tourists to visit.
The restaurant serves dishes made with local and seasonal ingredients, and is especially well known for meals featuring fresh scallops from Funka Bay and beautiful presentation.
The biggest attraction of the restaurant is its spectacular location facing the shores of Lake Toya.
The lake view from the windows is outstanding, and on a clear day, Lake Toya beautifully fills the view right in front of you.

With a history of over 80 years, Okadaya is a long-established eatery known for its sweets.
You can spend a peaceful time in its retro storefront and somewhat nostalgic interior.
The specialty here is “white oshiruko,” made with Hokkaido-grown fuku beans.
Its pure white appearance is striking, and its refined sweetness blends deliciously with the chewy shiratama rice dumplings.
Another appealing point is its light flavor, which makes it easy for people of all ages to enjoy.
In the hot summer, the chilled oshiruko is recommended for a refreshing energy boost, while in the cold winter, the warm oshiruko is perfect for warming you up.
In addition to meal items such as herring rice bowls and katsu curry, the shop also offers a wide selection of souvenirs including dorayaki and black soybean rice crackers.
It is also within walking distance of the hot spring town, so if you visit Lake Toya, it is well worth stopping by.

The Lake View TOYA Nonokaze Resort is a resort hotel in a great location just a few minutes on foot from Lake Toya.
All guest rooms have lake views, with Lake Toya right in front of you and spectacular scenery of Mt. Yotei and Ezo Fuji rising ahead.
The stylish and sophisticated interior design, along with the well-equipped bath amenities, creates a special atmosphere perfect for travel.
Another highlight is the range of facilities inside the hotel that keep your stay enjoyable throughout.
With options including a relaxation spa, a bunkobon café, and a sports bar, there is something for every type of guest.
There are many highlights, but the hot springs are especially appealing, including the rooftop open-air bath in the sky, the panoramic large public bath, a sauna with loyly, and “Showa no Yu,” which recreates a Showa-era public bathhouse.

Toya Kohan Tei is a long-established resort hotel with 80 years of history.
Standing by the shores of Lake Toya, it offers unobstructed lake views stretching out beyond the windows.
The views from the hot springs are also wonderful, including the infinity open-air bath and glass-walled panoramic bath in the top-floor large public bath, “Hoshi no Yu.”
Relaxing in the reclining bath while watching the Toyako Long Run Fireworks is also highly recommended.
Another attraction of the hotel is its wide variety of dishes made with local Hokkaido ingredients.
At the lively live kitchen, where a lineup of chefs prepares food right in front of guests, about 90 Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes are available, along with seasonal flavors and alcoholic drinks to enjoy to your heart’s content.

The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa is a resort hotel also known for having served as the main venue for the 34th G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit.
It stands on a hill on Mt. Poromoi, at an elevation of 625 m, with grand views of Lake Toya and Uchiura Bay.
Some rooms provide Bulgari amenities, allowing for a luxurious stay.
In addition to the atmospheric sukiya-style hot spring bath “Sansen,” the hotel is also highly regarded for its diverse dining options, including Michelin-starred restaurants.
The wide range of activity experiences available is another unique attraction of the hotel.

The Toyako Long Run Fireworks is one of Lake Toya’s signature events, held along the lakeshore.
Every year from late April to late October, Approx. 450 fireworks are launched each night for about 20 minutes starting at 8:45pm.
Not only are they stunning as they light up the night sky on a grand scale, but the mysterious reflections on the lake’s surface are also beautiful and atmospheric.
Because the fireworks are launched while moving across Approx. 2 km over the lake, they can be viewed from almost anywhere near the hot spring town.
Another attraction is that you can enjoy them from many different places and angles, including hotel rooms, promenades, hot springs, and cruise boats.
If you find your favorite viewing spot and enjoy the show, it is sure to become an unforgettable travel memory.

A familiar winter tradition, the Illumination Tunnel is a festival of lights held every year from early November to late April (from sunset to 10:00pm) at Nigiwai Hiroba in the center of the hot spring town.
Approx. 400,000 red, white, blue, and green LED bulbs and light decorations illuminate a path about 70 m long, creating a dreamlike winter world.
One of its biggest attractions is being able to stroll through a romantic space of your own while surrounded by sparkling illuminations.
In the middle of the tunnel, there is also a 9 m-wide dome of light and a three-dimensional “TOYA” monument, making it a perfect photo spot.
As a major attraction enjoyed by couples on dates and families with children, it is popular not only with locals but also with tourists.