Head to Lake Toya Onsen and enjoy the snowy scenery. Stroll along the lakeside and through the illuminated tunnel, and enjoy sweets and coffee. Dress warmly!
⚫︎ Information current as of January 2026. Content is subject to change.
Tōya Station
洞爺駅
On local trains (H100 series) in the early morning and at night when there are no station staff, only the front door will be open. Please press the button to open the door.
There are coin lockers in the waiting room. The toilets are closed at night, so at that time, please exit the station and use the public toilets on the right.
Toya Station is about 2 hours from Sapporo or hours from Hakodate by the limited express train Hokuto Otherwise, it is about 45 minutes from Higashi-Muroran by local train.
IC Cards (such as Kitaca and Suica) cannot be used.
Bus to Tōyako Onsen
洞爺湖温泉行きの道南バス
The bus from Toya Station to Toyako Onsen is operated by Dounan Bus. Some buses go via Toyako Onsen to Higashi-machi (in front of Toya Sun Palace Resort & Spa) or Showa Shinzan. Fares can be paid with cash or the electronic money “PayPay.”
Donan Bus’s Toyako Onsen Bus Terminal has coin lockers. Buses can get crowded in winter, so I recommend getting in line early. Alternatively, you can take the bus from Sakura-machi, Chuo-cho, Motomachi, or Higashi-machi in Toyako Onsen.
Toyako Onsen Bus Terminal is a 14-24 minute bus ride from Toya Station.
Lake Tōya-ko
洞爺湖
Lake Toya-ko is a beautiful caldera lake with a circumference of approximately 40km and a depth of 180m, making it Hokkaido’s third largest lake.
The Lake Toya Sculpture Park on the lakeside is home to a total of 58 sculptures. Among them, the Moonlight (Tsuki-no-Hikari: 月の光) located in Usuzan Eruption Memorial Park is the most famous work.
The Moonlight (Tsuki-no-Hikari) is a 15-minute walk from Toyako Onsen Bus Terminal. Otherwise, it is a 5-minute walk from the Community Center-mae (コミュニティセンター前) bus stop or the Kyusuijo (給水所) bus stop.
Wakasaimo Honpo
わかさいも本舗
Wakasaimo Honpo is a confectionery shop located on the lakeside with a great view. The first floor is a souvenir shop, and the second floor is a restaurant.
The shop has a self-service eat-in corner where you can enjoy imoten (いもてん: wakasaimo tempura), and take a break while looking out at the spectacular view of the lake.
Wakasaimo Honpo is 240m, a 3-minute walk from Toyako Onsen Bus Terminal.
Day Onsen & Footbath
日帰り入浴・足湯
There are no public bathhouses in Toyako Onsen, so look for hotels in town and ask about day bathing (日帰り入浴: higaeri nyuyoku). Hokkai Hotel (北海ホテル) offers day use. Note that some hotels may suspend day-use bathing during busy periods such as the New Year holidays.
Yakushi-no-yu (薬師の湯) is a free footbath adjacent to the Yumae Yakushi Nyorai-do temple hall in town. I slowly warmed my feet, which had gotten cold from walking around, in the rich, brown hot spring water. There is also a towel vending machine.
Tōyako Onsen illumination Tunnel
洞爺湖温泉イルミネーショントンネル
This is an illumination event held every winter at Nigiwai Hiroba (にぎわい広場) in the center of Toyako Onsen. The 70m-long tunnel is fitted with 400,000 LED bulbs.
There are also some photogenic spots. Regardless of the time of sunset, the lights will be on from 5pm from November to February, and from 6pm from March to late April.
The illumination tunnel is 550m (8min walk) from Toyako Onsen Bus Terminal, or a short walk from the footbath Yakushi-no-yu.
Cafe Gateau de Bonheur
ガトード ボヌール
This cafe is located in SELECT108 on the first floor of The Lake View Toya Nonokaze Resort Hotel. I stopped by for a break while waiting for the bus.
I ordered a blended coffee. A warm drink is a great way to relax in the winter.
It is 400m (5min walk) from Toyako Onsen Bus Terminal.
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