Hokkaido Attractions | Lake Toya | One of the Three Great Views of Hokkaido | Transport from Hakodate & Sapporo | Lake Toya Accommodation | Lake Toya Sightseeing Cruise

Among the countless beautiful landscapes of Hokkaido, Lake Toya is famous for being one of the "Three Great Views of Hokkaido," and has long been a classic spot that no one wants to miss when visiting Hokkaido.

This circular caldera lake, formed by a volcanic eruption, mirrors the changing colors of the four seasons on its surface, while the Nakajima islands at its center look like little green gems floating on the water. It is a well-preserved natural ecological area, home to wild deer and diverse plant life. With no over-development, the only way to land on the islands and explore this hidden gem is by taking a sightseeing cruise.

From Lake Toya you can also gaze out at Mount Yotei, dubbed the "Ezo Fuji." Even in the depths of winter the lake never freezes, and in summer months-long firework shows light up the night sky, making it a destination worth visiting in any season.

🚄 Transportation

For this Hokkaido trip, we entered via Hakodate and departed from Sapporo, so we came to Lake Toya from Hakodate. However, whether coming from Hakodate or Sapporo, aside from driving, the most convenient option is to take the JR directly to Toya Station, then transfer to a bus or hotel shuttle.

JR Hokuto

Taking the JR Hokuto (Limited Express Hokuto) from Hakodate to Lake Toya requires no transfers, and at its fastest it takes just under two hours to reach Toya Station from Hakodate Station.

• Hakodate -> Toya, one-way fare: ¥6,250
• Toya -> Sapporo, one-way fare: ¥6,690

Buying tickets is also very simple—just go to the ticket machine or counter and say you want a ticket to Toya Station. Ticket machines now all have a Chinese-language mode, so there's no need to worry about not understanding how to operate them.

JR Toya Station

After arriving at Toya Station, once you exit, you can spot the bus stop in the distance on your right-hand side. Since there aren't many bus departures but JR trains are relatively more frequent, it's advisable to check the bus timetable first and then decide which JR train to pair it with, so you won't have to wait too long at the station.

Only about two buses per hour

The Donan Bus is just an ordinary bus with no space for luggage, but since most travelers heading to Lake Toya carry large suitcases, the entire cabin gets extremely crowded... so the earlier you board, the better.

🏞️ Lake Toya

When visiting Lake Toya, most people choose a hot spring inn in the Lake Toya Onsen area to enjoy the beautiful scenery and stay overnight. Besides gazing out at the beautiful view of Mount Yotei, you can also take a boat to the cluster of small islands in the middle of the lake, "Nakajima." You can land on the islands to explore the primeval forest, and walking along the trails feels like traveling back in time to the embrace of pure nature.

Along the lakeshore, the "Lake Toya Sculpture Park" is located beside the lakeside walking path, with 58 sculptures combining natural scenery and art set up along the route. Strolling through it, you can admire the lake and mountain views while soaking in the artistic atmosphere—a truly classic walking route around Lake Toya.

🏞️ Lake Toya Sightseeing Cruise and Nakajima

In the center of the lake are several small islands born from volcanic activity and covered in lush forest, collectively known as "Nakajima." Sparsely inhabited, they preserve a primeval forest ecosystem rarely seen in Hokkaido, and in summer you can even spot wild animals such as Ezo deer leisurely foraging among the trees.

To reach Nakajima you must take the Lake Toya sightseeing cruise. The voyage takes about 15 minutes, with boats departing roughly every 30 minutes, but note that the last boat usually leaves around 4 p.m.—miss it and you'll have to wait until the next day.

The cabin of the Lake Toya sightseeing cruise is quite spacious, spanning three floors. Although the interior décor has a slightly retro style, it is clean and comfortable, and there's even a small kiosk selling drinks and snacks. Tourists often buy a bag of crackers similar to "Shrimp Crackers" and head to the deck to feed the flocks of seagulls that follow the boat. Watching them dart across the lake surface and snatch up the snacks is one of the great joys of the cruise.

The clever seagulls all sail along with the boat

The Forest Museum of Lake on Nakajima

To explore the trails on the island, you first need to register for free at the "Forest Museum of Lake" counter. After receiving a numbered tag, you may enter and hike the trails, then simply return the tag when you finish.

After passing through the "Forest Museum of Lake," the first thing that comes into view is a stretch of straight, slender trees. The whole space is so quiet you can barely hear a human voice, and the air is filled with the fresh scent of the forest. It's a great place to stroll slowly and relax. The island's trails are quite gentle and easy to walk, so there's no need to worry about getting lost. They are divided into several routes of different lengths, so you can choose according to your stamina and needs.

The Lake Toya sightseeing cruise getting ready for the return trip

🛌 Lake Toya Accommodation

For this stay we chose the well-known - The Lake View TOYA Nonokaze Resort. For the detailed record:

Lake Toya Accommodation | The Lake View TOYA Nonokaze Resort | Stunning Lake-View Room Types | Watch the Lake Toya Fireworks Right from Your Room | Front-Row Lake View

Overview of the No-Driving Hokkaido Itinerary

• Hokkaido Independent Travel | Hokkaido | No-Driving Independent Trip | Itinerary Planning | Attraction Highlights | Accommodation Recommendations | Budget Costs

More Japan Accommodation and Attraction References

• Japan Travel | Japan Accommodation List

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