Lake Toya: What to Do and Where to Stay

Toyako Onsen, the hot-spring town on the lake, is where most visits start and most hotels are: the fireworks run nightly until 31 October 2026, the Nakajima cruise leaves from its pier, and the Illumination Tunnel is lit from 1 November 2026 to 27 April 2027. The Usuzan Ropeway and Showa-Shinzan are in Sobetsu, about 30 minutes by bus from JR Toya Station.

From Sapporo, take the JR limited express Hokuto to Toya Station (about 1 hour 55 minutes) and Donan Bus to Toyako Onsen (about 20–25 minutes), or the direct Donan Bus from Sapporo Ekimae Bus Terminal (about 2 hours 40 minutes, reservation required). The Nishiyama and Konpira crater trails close for winter after 30 October.