Lake Toya: road trips and places to visit

A caldera lake with islands, an active volcano and lakeside onsen, two and a half hours from Sapporo. These are my guides to the area, from a Sapporo local who drove there. (9 articles)

Guides (6)

• Day Trips from Sapporo: A Local's Guide to Where to Go The best day trips from Sapporo, chosen by a local who drives them: Otaru, Jozankei, Noboribetsu, Shakotan, Lake Toya and Biei, with drive times, train options and the best season for each. 2026.10.18
• Driving in Hokkaido: A Local's Guide to Renting a Car and the Roads How to rent a car and drive in Hokkaido, from a Sapporo local who drives every week: the license you need, expressway tolls and the Hokkaido Expressway Pass, road rules, and winter driving. 2026.10.18
• Noboribetsu or Lake Toya: Which Day Trip from Sapporo Is Right for You Noboribetsu or Lake Toya? A Sapporo local compares the two day trips by drive time, tolls, train access and highlights, and explains whether you can do both in one day. 2026.10.18
• Onsen Near Sapporo: A Local's Guide to Day-Trip Hot Springs The best onsen near Sapporo for a day trip, chosen by a local who has bathed at all of them: Jozankei, Lake Shikotsu, Noboribetsu, Shakotan and Lake Toya, with prices, tattoo-friendly and private baths, and shuttle buses. 2026.10.18
• Things to Do in Hokkaido: A Local's Guide by Region and Season The best things to do in Hokkaido, chosen by a Sapporo local who drives around the island: the lakes of the east, Otaru and Shakotan, Biei and Furano, Noboribetsu, Lake Toya, Mt. Yotei, Hakodate and more, with seasons and how many days you need. 2026.10.18
• Where to See Mt. Yotei: A Local's Guide to the Best Viewpoints by Car The best places to see Mt. Yotei, the Mt. Fuji of Hokkaido, from a Sapporo local who has driven all the way around it: the straight road at Aikawa, its reflection in a pond, the view from an onsen, and a one-day loop from Sapporo. 2026.10.18

Road trips (1)

• Lake Toya Day Trip from Sapporo by Car: A Local's Route, Viewpoints and Onsen A local's day trip from Sapporo to Lake Toya by car: Mt. Usu, a lakeside lunch, an onsen with a lake view and the quiet viewpoints on the north shore, with tolls, parking and winter tips. 2026.10.18

Places (2)

• Mt. Usu Ropeway: Lake Toya, Showa Shinzan and the Crater Viewpoint A local's guide to the Mt. Usu Ropeway at Lake Toya: the view over Lake Toya and Showa Shinzan, the walk to the crater observatory, prices, hours, parking and how to get there from Sapporo. 2026.10.19
• Silo Observatory: The Classic View of Lake Toya A local's guide to the Silo Observatory above Lake Toya: the view of Nakajima, the hot spring town and Mt. Usu, helicopter flights and winter snowmobiles, facilities, hours, parking and how to get there. 2026.10.19