Lake Toya (Toya-ko) is a circular caldera lake formed 110,000 years ago in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park, with a cluster of islands in its centre and the active Usu-zan volcano on its southern shore. Showa-shinzan, a parasitic lava dome that erupted from a wheat field between 1943-1945 and grew to 398m, is nearby and accessible by ropeway. The lake area combines volcanic scenery, hot spring bathing at lakeside onsen resorts, and the fascinating story of Usu-zan's recent eruptions (2000 and 1977).
| Travel time | 2 hours by express bus or car; 1h 50min by JR to Toya Station |
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How to get there
- Mode
- JR Train + Bus
- Service
- JR Hokkaido Limited Express to Toya Station, then bus to Lake Toya Onsen
- Duration
- 1h 50min train + 15min bus
- Cost one way jpy
- 4100
- Cost usd approx
- 27
- Mode
- Express Bus
- Service
- Hokkaido Chuo Bus from Sapporo to Lake Toya Onsen
- Duration
- 2h - 2h 30min
- Cost one way jpy
- 2600
- Cost usd approx
- 17
- Mode
- Car
- Route
- Hokkaido Expressway toward Muroran, exit Toya IC
- Duration
- 1h 45min - 2h
Highlights
- Lake Toya caldera — circular lake with central islands; boat tours available
- Usu-zan Ropeway — active volcano views from 700m, volcanic craters from 2000 eruption
- Showa-shinzan lava dome — born from a flat wheat field in WWII; volcanic curiosity
- Noboribetsu Bear Park (Kuma-boku) — accessible nearby
- Lake Toya Onsen resort area — day-use bathing at lakeside hotels
- Volcano Science Museum — interactive exhibits on Usu-zan eruptions
Tips for visiting
- Usu-zan Ropeway (¥1,800 return) is essential — the crater views are unlike anywhere else in Japan
- Can be combined with Noboribetsu Onsen on the same day trip by car (Lake Toya → Noboribetsu is 40km)
- Lake Toya fireworks are held nightly in summer (July-October) from the lakeside