Rain in the forecast for your travel day—we completely understand the disappointment. But at Kamonoya, where we run 11 whole-house rentals around Lake Toya, we genuinely believe that “a rainy Lake Toya has its own charm.” A mist-wrapped lake shows a face you never see on a clear day, and above all, a whole-house rental is at its best when you settle in and enjoy the indoors. In this article, we suggest how to spend a rainy day at Lake Toya.
A change of perspective: make a rainy day a “day at the house”
In a single hotel room, a rainy day can leave you at a loose end—but a whole-house rental is a different story. Every Kamonoya property has a full kitchen and is rented out as a whole house, just for your group. Since the living room and kitchen are your own private space, a rainy day becomes the perfect excuse to slow down and spend unhurried time with family and friends.
Cook together in the kitchen
Our top recommendation for a rainy day is to do some shopping and cook together in the house kitchen. Gathering around a hot pot, trying Hokkaido ingredients you found at the local supermarket, baking sweets with the kids—these become memorable moments of the trip that eating out simply can’t offer. For where to buy ingredients and local food tips, see our Lake Toya food guide.
For larger groups, a whole-house rental with a spacious kitchen and dining area is the way to go.
- Toya Farmer’s House (up to 18 guests, from ¥25,000/night): a whole-house rental built for larger groups. The fireplace makes for picture-perfect indoor time on a rainy day.
- Lake Toya Base (up to 20 guests, from ¥30,000/night): a large whole-house rental that suits three-generation trips.
We share more tips for larger-group stays in our Lake Toya large-group lodging guide.
Host a movie night on the big screen
Among Kamonoya’s properties, Toya INN-East (up to 11 guests, from ¥30,000/night) and Lake Toya Base have a large screen. Watching a film together in your own private space, with the sound of rain in the background, is a luxury you won’t find on a clear night. Please check each property page or contact us for details on the viewing setup.
Warm up at the onsen, hand baths and foot baths
There’s nothing like an onsen for a body chilled by the rain. Some facilities in the Lake Toya onsen town accept day-trip bathing, and the hand baths and foot baths dotted around town are easy to drop by even with an umbrella in hand. Opening hours and day-trip bathing availability at each onsen facility may change, so please check each facility’s official website for the latest information.
Indoor spots to learn something: the Visitor Center & Volcano Science Museum
The onsen town is home to the Lake Toya Visitor Center & Volcano Science Museum, where you can learn indoors about the eruption history of Mount Usu and the natural landscape of Lake Toya. Once you understand why Lake Toya has this shape and how Showa-Shinzan was born, the view of a clear lake the next day takes on a whole new depth. As a place to spend a few hours on a rainy day, it’s a spot we can confidently recommend as locals.
Note that the Lake Toya Long-run Fireworks Festival (typically late April to end of October, around 8:45 pm every night) may run or be canceled depending on the weather. Please check the official announcements for that day’s status. For more on the fireworks, see our Lake Toya fireworks guide.
How to choose a house that’s great in the rain
On a rainy day, your satisfaction comes down to “how much you can enjoy inside the house.” How easy the kitchen is to use, how spacious the living room is, whether there’s a large screen or a fireplace—these are good criteria to choose by. You can compare all 11 Kamonoya properties from our property list.
Booking directly through our official site is the best-value official rate, with no agency commission (best-rate guarantee). Check availability here
Frequently asked questions
Q1. Are there indoor spots to enjoy even on a rainy day?
At the Lake Toya Visitor Center & Volcano Science Museum in the onsen town, you can learn indoors about the eruption history of Mount Usu and the natural landscape of Lake Toya. The onsen town’s hand baths, foot baths and day-trip onsen are also well suited to rainy days. Please check each official website for the latest information on opening hours and more.
Q2. Will the fireworks be canceled on a rainy day?
The Lake Toya Long-run Fireworks Festival (typically late April to end of October) may run or be canceled depending on the weather. Please check the official announcements for whether it will be held that day.
Q3. Which properties can I watch movies at?
Toya INN-East and Lake Toya Base have a large screen. For details on the viewing setup and other amenities, please check each property page or contact us.