| Dates | From late April to late October |
| Hours | Fireworks start from 20:45 until 21:05 every night |
| Contact | https://www.laketoya.com/en/event/ |
| Location / Getting There | They are held on the lakeside of the Toyako Onsen side which is on the southern side of the lake. Lake Toya is in south Hokkaido. It is a 2 hour drive from Sapporo. Take JR train from Sapporo station bound for Hakodate. Get off at Toya station (70 min) ￥4500 Take bus from Toya station to Toyako Onsen bus terminal (15 min) ￥330 |
Lake Toya is a popular spot for locals and overseas travelers alike. The lake is a caldera lake and has a stratovolcano, Mt Usu, near the southern edge of the lake. This volcanic activity feeds the many onsens (hot springs) that make up the Toya onsen village which also lies on the southern side of the lake. There are a dozen onsen hotels here and every night a firework show is held from 8:45pm. The fireworks are set off from a boat which moves across the lake so everyone can get a close look. To view the fireworks you can stand along the shore line. And for those staying at one of the hotels, you can get great views from your hotel room. The best part is, it is all free! If you are feeling a little more adventurous, there is a ferry that heads out 8:30pm where you can view the fireworks from the water. The fireworks last for 20 minutes and if the weather is stormy they are cancelled.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1000 - ¥2000 |
| Opening Hours | 11:30 - 17:00 |
| Closed | Mondays & Tuesdays |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | Burger restaurant, seating 15, take out ok, no parking |
| Location | Located at Lake Toya. The burger restaurant is on the east end of the main street in the Toya onsen village. It is only a few minutes walk from any of the onsen hotels there. 70-6 Toyakoonsen, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-5721 |
There is only one burger restaurant in Toya and it is Hydune. It is a very popular spot to grab a burger whether to eat in, or to get some take away and enjoy a lunch down by the lake. The staff are very friendly and can speak English as well which is a bonus. They have about half a dozen different style burgers on their menu. The burger set comes with some crispy fried potato wedges and a drink. They also serve coffee at Hydune so this is also a good option to grab one and go and sit down by the lake. The burgers on the menu include an American Burger, a Rich Cheese Burger, a Toya Guru Guru Burger which includes a curly sausage plus the usual paddy, tomato, and lettuce, a Cajun Burger, and a Teriyaki Burger. There are extra toppings that you can add on to the burger. These burgers are around ¥1500 depedning on your choice and will cost a little moire if you want to add extras to it.
| Cost per night | ¥6000 bungalow for 6 (Japanese style room) ¥4000 bungalow for 4 ¥600 tent campsite adults ¥400 tent campsite children |
| Open | May 1st - October 31st |
| Contact | 0142-66-2201 http://okutoya.com/sightseeing/sobetsu/pg119.html |
| Notes | Bungalows, Lake Toya views, parking lot, management building, toilets, kitchen, shower, astronomical observation dome, barbecue house |
| Location / Getting There | Located found on the south eastern edge of Lake Toya. 16 minute drive from Lake Toya Onsen district or a 18 minute drive from central Sobetsu. 3-1 Higashikohan, Sobetsu, Usu District, Hokkaido 052-0104, Japan |
For those looking for a rustic place to stay with some privacy, and away from the main tourist hot spots, the Forest and Tree Village Centre is a nice option. It is not a hotel but a center that has a couple of bungalows to rent. The main building is two stories with two large tatami rooms that can be rented for large groups of up to six. This building also has toilet facilities and showers. Outside of the building, you can find barbecue facilities on the large property here. Here you are free to use these to cook up a great summer barbecue for family or friends.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
For a starry experience, adjacent to the main building, you can find the astronomical observation dome. The dome is attached by a walkway to the main center from the second floor. Through the telescope here you can observe the impressive night sky! Apart from the views of the Milky Way, there are fantastic views overlooking the Lake Toya, plus views of Mt. Usu. Adjacent to the main center, and slightly apart from the observation deck are the bungalows. These private bungalows, slightly further down the hill, are suitable for up to groups of four.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | All day |
| Closed | November to April |
| Contact | 0142-66-4200 |
| Notes | Light walking trails, photography spot, parking available for 20, small shrine at park, plum tree viewing (mid May) |
| Location / Getting There | 12 minute drive east from Toyako Onsen. Heading east, the access road is on the right (with the lake on the left) 〒052-0104 Hokkaido, Usu District, Sobetsu, 町東湖畔 |
huge maps – google map here
Sobetsu park is a beautiful hilltop park that commands some of the best of views of Lake Toya. Not only can you see the lake in its glory, but there are views of the volcano, Mount Usu. And in good weather, you can see Mount Yotei and the Niseko mountain range in the distance. Sobetsu Park is most famous for its views during the spring. During mid May, the three hundred plum blossoms are in full bloom making the park a particularly popular spot for photographers from all over. You can get some great photos of the blossoms with the lake in the background!
[the_ad id=”4264″]
The park is huge and runs up the whole mountain and is adorned with a couple of sculptures. There is a narrow road that leads to the top where you can find parking for about twenty cars. Due to the winding road, it is inaccessible by bus. At the top, there are a few benches and tables and makes for a good picnic spot. Sightseers can also find a small shrine at the top here, which is surrounded, interestingly, by cut out steel swords and knives that have been placed on the fence. In the centre of the shrine, there is a warrior like statue. Sobetsu Park is a great place to take in the views!
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot , historical landmark, parking available |
| Location / Getting There | Located on the southern shore of Lake Toya. Toyakoonsen, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-5721 |
On July 7th to July 8th of 2008 the 34th G8 Summit was held at Lake Toya. This unofficial annual forum saw the leaders from Canada, the European Commission, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, The United Kingdom and the United States. The 34th G8 summit was the very first summit for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and the then Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev. The summit was also first and only summit for Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, and the last for U.S President George W. Bush. This was the first G8 summit ever held in Hokkaido.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
In July 2008, a monument decorated with flowers stands at the place where the Hokkaido Toyako Summit (Main Summit) was declared . The monument can be found in the Lake Toya Onsen district on the southern shoreline, and is part of the Funsui Hiroba Fountain Square, which is a nice promenade to walk along. The leaders stayed at the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa which can be found on top of the hill overlooking the lake. The summit was one of the largest ever with more than 2,000 delegates attending. Other delegates included leaders from African nations and Australia and South Korea.
| Admission | Free entry Volcano Museum ¥600 Adults - ¥300 Children |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 17:00 |
| Closed | December 31 to January 3 |
| Contact | 0142-75-2555 http://www.toyako-vc.jp/en/volcano/ |
| Notes | Museum, parking available, local information. Volcano Theater show times are held every 30 minutes from 9:30 to 16:30 |
| Location / Getting There | Located on the southern shore of Lake Toya. A 2 minute drive up the hill from central Toya Onsen district. 142-5 Toyakoonsen, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-5721 |
The Toyako Visitor center is a beautifully designed building that was established in May of 2007. The facility was made by the Ministry of the Environment. It is an information center that focuses on the environment and the interesting biodiversity of Lake Toya. Through exhibitions and displays, the facility helps visitors get in touch with the area, and introducing various eco-museum projects. There is also a fantastic Volcano Museum inside, which looks at the volcanic activity of the area, both past and present!
[the_ad id=”4264″]
The volcanic science museum can be found at the Toyako Visitor Center. It is an interesting small museum that focuses on the eruptions at Lake Toya that occurred in 1977, and in 2000. Through exhibitions, and experience devices you can get a real feel for the impact of these volcanic eruptions, and introduces the history of Mount Usu. There is a theatre inside which is fascinating and definitely worth a visit. The 13 minute documentary delves into the eruptions with sound and visuals which leave a strong impact. The audio device has translations into English, Korean, Chinese, and Thai.
