Toya Mizu no Eki: A Lakeside Stop with a View of Nakajima

By Chaporo, a Sapporo local Published Visited
Toya Mizu no Eki: A Lakeside Stop with a View of Nakajima

Quick answers

  • On the north shore of Lake Toya, with Nakajima and Mt. Usu across the water
  • Local vegetables and products, plus Sanuki udon from a sister town in Kagawa
  • Open 9:00–18:00 from April to September, 9:00–17:00 from October to March
  • Free parking for about 70 cars

Toya Mizu no Eki ("water station") is a small visitor facility right on the north shore of Lake Toya. Lake Toya lies in front of it, with the islands of Nakajima and Mt. Usu beyond.

The view

Lake Toya and Nakajima in winter, seen from the second floor of Toya Mizu no Eki
Waterbirds on Lake Toya with Nakajima behind, seen from the square at Toya Mizu no Eki

A sightseeing boat pier is close by, so you can also take a cruise on the lake.

Local produce and Sanuki udon

Inside there is a shop and a cafeteria. The shop sells vegetables and products from the Toya area, and also Sanuki udon from the former town of Saita in Kagawa Prefecture, a sister town. The link goes back to the founding of Toya: many of its settlers came from the Sanuki region of Shikoku, including former samurai of the Marugame domain.

Packs of Sanuki udon on sale at Toya Mizu no Eki

Hours and parking

WhatDetails
Hours9:00–18:00 from April to September; 9:00–17:00 from October to March
ClosedMondays from November to March (the next day if Monday is a holiday); New Year holidays
ParkingFree, about 70 cars

Hours are as of October 2026. Check the official site (in Japanese) before you go.

How to get there

From Sapporo: about two and a half hours including breaks. Take the Do-o Expressway toward Tomakomai and Muroran and leave at Abuta-Toyako IC (Date IC for the Usu side). Tarumae SA and Usuzan SA both have viewpoints worth a break.

From New Chitose Airport: an hour and a half to two hours on the same expressway. From Abuta-Toyako IC, follow Route 230 to the lake and turn left at the T-junction, toward the Silo Observatory; Toya Mizu no Eki is on the north shore.

Near Toya Mizu no Eki

Silo Observatory: The Classic View of Lake ToyaA 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. Lake Hill Farm: Gelato with a View of Mt. Yotei Near Lake ToyaA local's guide to Lake Hill Farm near Lake Toya: homemade gelato from the farm's own milk, eaten with a view of Mt. Yotei across the meadow, opening hours, parking and how to get there. Lake Toya Day Trip from Sapporo by Car: A Local's Route, Viewpoints and OnsenA 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.

FAQ about Toya Mizu no Eki

Q1. What is there at Toya Mizu no Eki?

A lakeside view of Nakajima and Mt. Usu, a local produce shop and a cafeteria, with a sightseeing boat pier close by.

Q2. Is there parking?

Yes, free, for about 70 cars.

Q3. What are the hours?

9:00 to 18:00 from April to September and 9:00 to 17:00 from October to March. It closes on Mondays from November to March (the next day if Monday is a holiday) and over the New Year.