Lake Toya, Hokkaido · Things to do
Things to Do in Lake Toya: 11 Places with Hours, Prices and Access
11 things to do · checked October 23, 2026
11 things to do at Lake Toya, from Toyako Onsen outward
Hours, prices and access checked against each place's own page on October 23, 2026. They change; check before you go.
1Toyako Onsen洞爺湖温泉
Hot-spring town on the lake · Toyako Onsen
The hot-spring town on the shore of Lake Toya, below the Mt. Usu volcano, in an area recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark. The fireworks, the lake cruise, the visitor centre and the Konpira crater trail all start here.
- Access
- Donan Bus from JR Toya Station, about 20–25 min. Direct Donan Bus from Sapporo Ekimae Bus Terminal, about 2 h 40 min (reservation required).
2Lake Toya Long-run Fireworks洞爺湖ロングラン花火大会
Seasonal fireworks · Toyako Onsen
The 45th season sends up fireworks over the lake at Toyako Onsen every night from 28 April to 31 October 2026, for about 20 minutes. It goes ahead in rain but can be called off when the wind is unstable.
Nightly until 31 October 2026, 20:45–21:05.
- Access
- On the Toyako Onsen lakeside. Free public car parks. A fireworks viewing boat leaves Toyako Onsen at 20:35 and returns about 21:20.
- Hours
- Nightly 28 April – 31 October 2026, 20:45–21:05
- Price
- Fireworks viewing boat: adults ¥1,900, children ¥950
3Lake cruise to Nakajima (Toyako Kisen)洞爺湖汽船 中島巡り遊覧船
Lake cruise · Toyako Onsen
A sightseeing boat from Toyako Onsen out to Nakajima, the islands in the middle of the lake. From late April to the end of October you can land on Nakajima and come back on a later boat (about 80 min in all; about 50 min without landing). From November to early April the boat does not land and the trip takes about 45 min.
- Access
- Cruise pier at Toyako Onsen 36-4, Toyako-cho. The fireworks boat leaves from a separate pier at Toyako Onsen 29.
- Hours
- Late April – end of October: 8:30–16:30, every 30 min. November – early April: 9:00–16:00, hourly. The last boat can move earlier with sunset.
- Price
- Adults ¥1,800; children ¥900
4Toyako Visitor Center and Volcano Science Museum洞爺湖ビジターセンター・火山科学館
Visitor centre and volcano museum · Toyako Onsen
The Shikotsu-Toya National Park visitor centre for Lake Toya. Its Volcano Science Museum covers the history of Mt. Usu, how eruptions work, the damage they caused and how the area prepares, with photos, models and video.
- Access
- Toyako Onsen 142-5, Toyako-cho, in the hot-spring town.
- Hours
- 10:00–16:00 from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027; 9:00–17:00 April–September
- Closed on
- Mondays (the next weekday when Monday is a holiday) and the New Year period. In October 2026: 5, 13, 19 and 26 October.
- Price
- Volcano Science Museum: adults ¥800, children ¥400
5Konpira Crater Disaster Remains Trail金比羅火口災害遺構散策路
Volcano walking trail · Toyako Onsen
A paved trail at the edge of the hot-spring town through the Konpira craters of the 2000 eruption, past a damaged public bathhouse, public housing and a bridge carried away by a mudflow.
Closed for winter from 31 October.
- Access
- About 5 min on foot from Toyako Onsen bus terminal.
- Hours
- 9:00–16:00, 25 April – 30 October
- Closed on
- Winter, from 31 October until the spring opening
6Nishiyama Crater Walking Trail西山山麓火口散策路
Volcano walking trail · Nishiyama, Toyako
A boardwalk trail left as it was after the March 2000 eruption of Mt. Usu: craters and hot ground that still steam, and buildings and roads wrecked by volcanic bombs and ground movement. Toyako Town says there is no eruption danger now, and guides are available through its tourism section.
Closed for winter from 31 October.
- Access
- About 3 min by bus from Toyako Onsen bus terminal.
- Hours
- Season 25 April – 30 October. On 30 October the gate is locked at 16:00.
- Closed on
- Winter, from 31 October until the spring opening
7Usuzan Ropeway有珠山ロープウェイ
Ropeway and volcano viewpoints · Showa-Shinzan, Sobetsu
A cable car up Mt. Usu from the foot of Showa-Shinzan in Sobetsu town, about 6 minutes each way. The operator suggests about 40 minutes for the ride and the Lake Toya observation deck, or about 60 minutes if you add the Usu crater basin observation deck.
- Access
- Showa-Shinzan 184-5, Sobetsu-cho. About 15 min by car from Date IC on the Do-o Expressway; car park ¥500 a day. Bus from JR Toya Station to Showa-Shinzan about 30 min.
- Hours
- Timetable changes through the year. On 24 October 2026 the operator's calendar shows the first ride up at 8:15 and the last ride down at 16:30.
- Price
- Round trip: adults (junior high and up) ¥2,000; elementary ¥1,000
8Showa-Shinzan昭和新山
Volcano (lava dome) · Showa-Shinzan, Sobetsu
A 398 m volcano that began rising out of flat wheat fields in 1943. It stands on private land and cannot be climbed; the Usuzan Ropeway starts beside it.
- Access
- Bus from JR Toya Station, about 30 min. By car about 15 min from Abuta-Toyako IC; car park for 400 cars (paid).
9Silo Observatoryサイロ展望台
Lake viewpoint with shop · Narika, west rim
A viewpoint on the west rim of the lake facing Nakajima, Mt. Usu and Showa-Shinzan, with a souvenir shop and a restaurant. A deck facing Mt. Yotei was added in May 2025. The viewing deck can be reached from the car park outside shop hours.
- Access
- Narika 3-5, Toyako-cho, on the west rim of the lake. Free car park for cars and buses.
- Hours
- Shop 8:30–18:00 at present; restaurant 11:30–13:30
- Closed on
- Shop closed 1–3 January
- Price
- Free entry and parking
10Lake Toya Sculpture Park (Gurutto Chokoku Koen)とうや湖ぐるっと彫刻公園
Outdoor sculpture trail · Around the lake shore
Fifty-eight outdoor sculptures placed around the lake shore by Toyako and Sobetsu towns, numbered 1 to 58 on the town's list.
- Access
- Spread along the shore of Lake Toya in Toyako and Sobetsu towns.
11Toyako Onsen Illumination Tunnel洞爺湖温泉イルミネーショントンネル
Seasonal illumination · Toyako Onsen
About 400,000 lights over a tunnel about 70 m long in Nigiwai Hiroba square, in the centre of the hot-spring town. The 2026–27 season starts the night after the fireworks end.
From 1 November 2026 to 27 April 2027.
- Access
- Nigiwai Hiroba, central Toyako Onsen.
- Hours
- 1 November 2026 – 27 April 2027: 17:00–22:00 until 28 February, 18:00–22:00 from 1 March
Good to know
Most of this list starts in Toyako Onsen, the hot-spring town on the lake: the fireworks, the cruise pier, the visitor centre and the Konpira crater trail are all there, and the Nishiyama crater trail is about 3 minutes away by bus. The Usuzan Ropeway and Showa-Shinzan are in Sobetsu town, about 30 minutes by bus from JR Toya Station. The Silo Observatory is on the west rim and is reached by car.
Getting there: JR limited express Hokuto from Sapporo to Toya Station takes about 1 hour 55 minutes, then Donan Bus to Toyako Onsen about 20–25 minutes. Donan Bus also runs direct from Sapporo Ekimae Bus Terminal in about 2 hours 40 minutes, reservation required. From New Chitose Airport, JR via Minami-Chitose to Toya takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Dates to plan around: the fireworks run nightly until 31 October 2026. The Nishiyama and Konpira crater trails close for winter after 30 October. From November the cruise runs hourly and does not land on Nakajima, and the Illumination Tunnel lights up from 1 November 2026 to 27 April 2027. From 1 October the visitor centre opens 10:00–16:00 and closes on Mondays.
In the hot-spring town, on the volcano, or around the lake
How to get there, what it costs to get in, and when it is open. Adult prices; children's prices are on each card above.
| Where | Getting there | Entry (adult) | Season and hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyako Onsen: fireworks, cruise, visitor centre, Konpira trail, Illumination Tunnel | Donan Bus from JR Toya Station, about 20–25 min; Konpira trail about 5 min on foot from the bus terminal | Cruise ¥1,800 · fireworks boat ¥1,900 · Volcano Science Museum ¥800 | Fireworks nightly to 31 Oct 2026 · cruise 8:30–16:30 to end Oct, 9:00–16:00 from Nov · visitor centre 10:00–16:00 Oct–Mar · tunnel from 1 Nov |
| Nishiyama Crater Walking Trail | About 3 min by bus from Toyako Onsen bus terminal | Not stated | 25 April – 30 October; gate locked 16:00 on 30 October |
| Sobetsu: Usuzan Ropeway and Showa-Shinzan | Bus from JR Toya Station about 30 min; by car about 15 min from Date IC (car park ¥500) | Ropeway ¥2,000 round trip · Showa-Shinzan cannot be climbed | Ropeway hours change by season; 8:15 up to 16:30 down on 24 Oct 2026 |
| West rim: Silo Observatory | By car; free car park | Free | Deck open from the car park; shop 8:30–18:00 at present |
| Around the lake: Sculpture Park | 58 works along the shore in Toyako and Sobetsu | Not stated | — |
By kind of trip
First trip, one day
The cruise and the visitor centre are in Toyako Onsen. The ropeway and Showa-Shinzan stand side by side in Sobetsu, about 30 minutes by bus from JR Toya Station; the operator suggests 40–60 minutes for the ropeway visit.
Lake cruise to Nakajima (Toyako Kisen) · Toyako Visitor Center and Volcano Science Museum · Usuzan Ropeway · Showa-Shinzan
The 2000 eruption up close
Both crater trails keep the damage of the March 2000 eruption as it was. They close for winter after 30 October; the Volcano Science Museum stays open all year except Mondays and the New Year period.
Nishiyama Crater Walking Trail · Konpira Crater Disaster Remains Trail · Toyako Visitor Center and Volcano Science Museum
After dark
The fireworks go up at 20:45 nightly until 31 October 2026. From 1 November the Illumination Tunnel is lit until 22:00.
Lake Toya Long-run Fireworks · Toyako Onsen Illumination Tunnel · Toyako Onsen
Winter
From November the cruise runs hourly without landing on Nakajima, and the visitor centre opens 10:00–16:00. The Illumination Tunnel runs to 27 April 2027.
Lake cruise to Nakajima (Toyako Kisen) · Toyako Visitor Center and Volcano Science Museum · Toyako Onsen Illumination Tunnel
Free
The Silo Observatory charges nothing for entry or parking. The fireworks are watched from the Toyako Onsen lakeside, with free public car parks.
Questions
When do the Lake Toya fireworks end in 2026?
The 45th Lake Toya Long-run Fireworks run every night from 28 April to 31 October 2026, 20:45 to 21:05, over the lake at Toyako Onsen. They go ahead in rain but can be cancelled when the wind is unstable. A fireworks viewing boat leaves at 20:35 (adults ¥1,900).
Can you land on Nakajima island?
Only in the summer season. From late April to the end of October the Toyako Kisen cruise lets you land and return on a later boat, about 80 minutes in all. From November to early April it does not land and takes about 45 minutes. Adults ¥1,800, children ¥900.
Is the Nishiyama crater trail open in winter?
No. Toyako Town lists the season as 25 April to 30 October, and the gate is locked at 16:00 on 30 October. The Konpira crater trail in Toyako Onsen has the same season, 9:00–16:00.
How do I get to Lake Toya from Sapporo or New Chitose Airport?
From Sapporo: JR limited express Hokuto to Toya Station, about 1 hour 55 minutes, then 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. From New Chitose Airport: JR via Minami-Chitose to Toya, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
How much is the Usuzan Ropeway?
¥2,000 round trip for adults (junior high and up) and ¥1,000 for elementary age. The ride takes about 6 minutes each way. Hours change through the year; on 24 October 2026 the first ride up is at 8:15 and the last ride down at 16:30.