Lake Toya: Getting there and around

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 6,690 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 (400 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. Online reservations can be made through the Willer website.

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.