Sapporo to Lake Toya: How to get to and around Lake Toya

Getting to Lake Toya

Covered by: Japan Rail Pass(except bus)

All limited express trains between Sapporo and Hakodate stop at Toya Station along the way. The one way trip from Sapporo takes roughly 100 minutes, costs 6,360 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Hokkaido Rail Pass. Seat reservations are mandatory.

From Toya Station, Lake Toya (Toyako Onsen bus terminal) is reached in a 15 minute bus ride (340 yen, about one bus per hour). The buses are operated by Donan Bus and are not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Donan Bus operates four round trips per day between Sapporo Station and Toyako Onsen via Jozankei Onsen. The one way trip takes about 2.5 hours and costs 2830 yen.

It takes about two hours to reach Lake Toya from Sapporo either along the toll free National Route 230 via Jozankei Onsen or along the Doo Expressway. The trip via expressway is slightly faster and costs about 4000 yen in expressway tolls. Get off at Abuta-Toyako Interchange.

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.

Getting around

The lakeside resort of Toyako Onsen at the foot of Mount Usu is where you will find most of the area's hotels and shops, a visitor center, the sightseeing boat pier and the bus terminal.

Toyako Onsen bus terminal is served by both the local buses to JR Toya Station (15 minutes, 340 yen, every hour, via the Usuzan West Crater) and Usuzan Ropeway (15 minutes, 350 yen, 4 buses/day), as well as by long-distance buses to Sapporo and other destinations.

Due to the infrequent bus connections inside the park and the absence of a public transport connection to nearby Lake Shikotsu, a rental car is the recommended means of transport for exploring Shikotsu-Toya National Park.