20 Things To Do In Lake Toya, From Soaking In Onsen To Scaling Volcanoes

It is home to the mighty-and-still-active Mount Usu, and boasts an entire resort town built around natural hot springs. But make no mistake, there's more to Lake Toya than geothermal wonders, with firework displays, one-of-a-kind dining experiences, and sculpture trails just some of the exciting attractions on offer. Read on to learn more about this incredible region. 

There's truly no better way to experience Lake Toya's stunning scenery than from the Silo Observatory. Here, high in the hills, you'll be treated to a view of the entire lake and surrounding Shikotsu-Toya National Park, no matter what the season (personally we love visiting in winter, when there are additional activities like sledding and snow rafting to be had). Follow up by sampling legit Hokkaido cuisine from the onsite restaurant or at the very least, some of the area's iconic wakasaimo (candy modelled after sweet potatoes) from the souvenir shop.

Get up close and personal with Lake Toya's infamous volcano on the Usuzan Ropeway. This thrilling six-minute cable ride has been in operation since the 1960s, and ascends the slopes of Mount Usu before dropping you off at the summit. Once there, you can explore observation decks and lookouts with impressive crater views. Also worth checking out are the eateries, shops, and other facilities located at the Kazan-mura (volcano village), from which the ride departs. 

Make the most of the area's geothermal goodness with a visit to Toyako Onsen. This resort town on the southern shores of Lake Toya was created after Mount Usu erupted in 1910, disturbing the magma underground and causing hot springs to appear. You'll find a number of public foot baths dotted throughout the area, along with private onsen located inside hotels (many with waterfront views stretching to the mountains and beyond). 

You can't visit Lake Toya without actually getting on the lake. This pristine body of water, which is actually Japan's third-largest caldera (crater) lake and almost perfectly circular, is primed for everything from Canadian canoeing and paddleboarding sessions to motorboat rides and fishing adventures. You can even take a cruise in a pedal-powered swan boat, or in a ship that looks like a floating castle. 

Snowshoeing is one of the coolest things to do in Lake Toya (see what we did there?). Especially when it's part of this two-day hike, led by a local volcano meister, which takes you along the Old National Route 230. Usually off-limits to the public, this is where you'll get to see some of the carnage caused by Mount Usu's most recent eruption in 2000. If you're looking for something a little more light-hearted (and lighter on the walking front), there are a number of other scenic snowshoe treks available. 

Lake Toya is famous for its long-running fireworks display, which goes off with a bang every single night, for six months straight. You'll glimpse these epic explosives, which look a lot like flowers, lighting up the lake in a kaleidoscope of colours from April 28 to October 31. Tune in from wherever you are—be it from the deck of a boat or from a lakefront onsen—between 8:45 and 9:05pm. 

In this beautiful little corner of the world, you can dine on food prepared by a chef who has worked in not one, not even two, but nine Michelin-starred kitchens. Enter Takeshi Iijima, the man behind the incredible cuisine at Bourou Lake Toya. From this luxurious hotel location, he plates up jaw-dropping Hokkaido cuisine that reflects the area's unique climate, history and culture and is truly unlike anything you've eaten before.  

It's well-known that the Japanese take glassmaking to the next level, and you can see some particularly fine examples of this craft on display at Gla Gla. This quaint little shop is a treasure trove of beautifully crafted glassware, from utensils to lighting, all made by a bonafide glass master. You can even have a go at making something yourself, with a glassblowing sesh in the workshop next door. 

It doesn't get more zen than trekking through the mountains of Lake Toya on horseback. And the team at Lake Toya Ranch is here to help, offering guided trails for both experienced riders and beginners, that maximise on the area's stunning scenery (aka panoramic vistas of Lake Toya, Mount Usu, and beyond). Giddy up!

And now for a ranch of a different kind—Herbal Ranch. You'll find this charming cafe/herb garden/shop nestled amongst fields of fruit trees on the slopes of Lake Toya. Come here to graze on light meals prepared with fresh local ingredients—make your own herb tea, cider, bath salts and incense—and buy up large on artisanal goodies. 

If it's art you're after, you'll love Lake Toya Gurutto Art Park. An outdoor gallery of sorts, this collection of almost 60 sculptures created by local and international artists with a 'celebration of life' theme can be found dotted along 43km of picturesque shoreline. Any activity combining art, nature AND exercise has our tick of approval. 

Come spring, there's only one place around here you want to go for hanami (flower viewing), and that's Sobetsu Park. Perched on the hills above Lake Toya, this spot becomes a blanket of fragrant pink in mid-May when around 300 Bungo plum trees (a breed native to Japan) spread across 20,000 square metres begin to blossom. And that's not all—in a rare sight, cherry trees can also be seen flowering at the same time. Don't forget to pack a picnic and of course, your camera. 

About 10 minutes out of Lake Toya you'll find Lake Hill Farm—famous for its ice cream coupled with pretty-as-a-picture views. Sample scoops of artisan soft-serve and gelato made with milk from this spot's very own cows, which you'll probably see grazing in the paddocks as you eat. There's an onsite cafe for additional feasting, and even the opportunity to make your own ice cream or butter. 

Yes, you read that correctly—Lake Toya is home to a museum smack bang in the middle of its namesake, nestled away on Nakajima Island. Boat on over to this whimsical isle covered in ancient forest, where the Nakajima-Mizuumi no Mori Museum and its many displays about the area's unique flora and fauna await. Take a wander around outside, and you may even see some of the latter in action—we're talking squirrels, birds, and deer. 

Winter in Lake Toya signals a number of cool celebrations, including the arrival of a gorgeous light installation along the waterfront. From November through April, a colourful tunnel of approximately 400,000 twinkling lights can be found stretching about 70 metres, surrounding the area's trademark Toya sign. Head along between 6-10pm, and prepare to be dazzled. 

If ever there was a cycle-friendly destination, Lake Toya is it. You can literally bike the entire perimeter of the lake if you wish, without having to use the main road—instead, there are dedicated cycle lanes and quiet one-way streets at your disposal, plus parks for stopping, should you need a breather. This makes it an especially suitable (read: safe!) activity for the whole family. And did we mention you'll treated to the most amazing lake and mountain views? 

It's no secret that anime and manga are big business in Japan—and Lake Toya is reppin' both art forms with the annual Toyako Manga & Anime Festa. Held across two days every June, this event sees people travelling from all over the country to take part in cosplay, itasha (anime) car comps, manga-themed markets, and more. And what's even cooler is that it's held outdoors, animating the local streets in a riot of colour and sound. 

Have your very own Before the Coffee Gets Cold moment with a visit to the uber-cool Blossom Coffee. Found on the ground floor of the Toyako Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace, this peaceful spot combines two of life's greatest pleasures—literature, and caffeine. Here you can browse assorted books while enjoying your fave brew (one brownie chocolate latte, please), and seriously stacked croissants. And though it may be tempting to keep your nose buried in a book, don't forget to look up—you'll be treated to incredible views across Lake Toya to the surrounding mountains when you do. 

An area as beautifully unique as Lake Toya was made for trails, so lace up your walking shoes (or hiking boots) and prepare to see it all, from ancient volcanoes to old-growth forests and of course, the sparkling waters of Lake Toya. This handy guide will help you select a walk suited to your skill level—choose from Volcano Trails, History And Culture Trails, and Forests And City Trails.

As Lake Toya is an area borne out of volcanic activity, you kinda owe it to yourself to learn more about the subject, right? Enter the Volcano Science Museum, fittingly located near Mount Usu, where you can take a deeper dive into the eruption-rich history of the area with its various displays and activations. Experience a simulated eruption, see vehicles and other items damaged in Mount Usu's most recent outburst, and more. 

Lake Toya's looking pretty damn fun, right? From lake view cottages to large undeveloped parcels of land, check out some of the best properties currently available only on Uchi.