Autumn is the season when a drive around Lake Toya is at its most rewarding, as the broadleaf trees along the shore and the mountains all around turn colour at once. Because the lakeside lowlands and the higher mountain passes reach their peak at different times, you can chase the autumn foliage again and again by simply shifting your dates—one of the real charms of this area. Kamonoya, which runs 11 whole-house rentals at Lake Toya, shares the foliage spots and driving routes we recommend from a local’s point of view. For how to enjoy Lake Toya in autumn more broadly, see our autumn foliage guide to Lake Toya as well.
Autumn colours around Lake Toya usually peak in mid-to-late October
Around Lake Toya, the foliage in the lakeside lowlands typically reaches its peak from mid to late October. On the higher mountain passes, by contrast, the colours generally start to turn earlier. Because the peak moves gradually with elevation, you can enjoy scenes like “the pass is already at its best, while the lakeshore is still to come.”
How far the foliage has progressed varies with the year’s temperatures, so please check the latest foliage information when planning your trip. A sharp drop in morning and evening temperatures pushes the colours along quickly, so the weekend after a cold snap can sometimes be the ideal time to go.
The lakeshore loop: a foliage drive of about 40 km
The first thing to enjoy is the lakeshore drive that circles Lake Toya. It is a route of about 40 km, roughly an hour by car, and you can take it slowly while taking in the lake and the trees in their autumn colours. Along the way, the Silo Observatory offers a sweeping view over the whole lake, with a panorama of the foliage-tinged lake and mountains. Lake Hill Farm, known for its gelato, and the Usuzan Ropeway up Showa-Shinzan and Mount Usu, with their views of volcano and lake, are also classic stops on an autumn drive.
The basic lakeshore route and its stops are covered in detail in our Lake Toya lakeshore drive guide. On weekends during the foliage season the areas around the viewpoints can get crowded, so making the loop early in the morning is the most comfortable.
Foliage on the mountain passes, including Orofure Pass
Another drive not to miss for the autumn colours is Orofure Pass, which links Lake Toya with the Noboribetsu area. It sits at a high elevation, and the sight of the mountainsides below turning colour across their entire face is spectacular; on a clear day you can see all the way to distant ranges. Because the pass roads turn colour earlier than the lakeshore, the pass may already be at its peak while the lakeside is still to come. The exact timing of the pass’s peak shifts from year to year, so it is best to plan using the usual seasonal patterns as a guide.
The pass road is a continuous series of curves, and with its considerable change in elevation the weather can shift easily. The road surface can grow cold in the mornings and evenings, so please allow plenty of time and drive safely. As this is a season when the sun sets early, we recommend driving through the pass while it is still light. The Noboribetsu area is about an hour by car from Lake Toya, and pairing it with your foliage drive makes for a worthwhile extension.
A whole-house rental as your base for the foliage drive
Autumn foliage looks its most beautiful in the clear light of morning and during the quieter hours. That is exactly why a whole-house rental near the lakeshore, from which you can set out again and again, is so convenient. Every one of Kamonoya’s properties is a whole-house or whole-room rental with a full kitchen. In a private space where you never share with other guests, you can take your time before and after each drive. At a property with a wood stove or fireplace, you can warm up after the chill and enjoy the autumn evening.
- For large groups and foliage trips with friends: Toya Farmer’s House (up to 18 guests, from ¥25,000/night). A whole-house rental for larger groups with a fireplace—perfect as a driving base.
- For those who want to savour autumn quietly: Cloud9 Toya (up to 11 guests, from ¥27,000/night). A whole-house rental with a wood stove and BBQ facilities, where you can relax in front of the flames after a foliage drive.
- For couples and small-group road trips: Lake Toya Building 2LDK (up to 6 guests, from ¥11,000/night). A central base that lets you travel light and move around easily.
You can see our other properties on the list of facilities.
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FAQ
Q. When is the best time to see the autumn foliage around Lake Toya?
In the lakeside lowlands, the peak is usually from mid to late October. Higher pass roads such as Orofure Pass tend to turn colour earlier. How far the foliage has progressed varies with the year’s temperatures, so please check the latest foliage information before your trip.
Q. How long does the foliage drive around the lake take?
Lake Toya is about 40 km around, roughly an hour by car. If you stop off at viewpoints and other spots along the way, allowing about half a day gives you plenty of time to enjoy it. Weekends during the foliage season get crowded, so we recommend setting out early in the morning.
Q. Is there anything to watch out for when driving the pass roads?
Pass roads such as Orofure Pass are a continuous series of curves, and with their considerable change in elevation the weather can shift easily. The road surface can grow cold in the mornings and evenings, and the sun sets early in autumn, so please drive through while it is still light, allow plenty of time, and drive safely. Checking the latest road information is also recommended.