Hello from Kamonoya, a vacation-rental host on Lake Toya in Hokkaido. When people picture a stay on Lake Toya, they usually think of the lake, the hot springs, and the volcanoes. But drop down toward the coast, just over the ridge, and you reach a quiet stretch of shoreline on Uchiura Bay (Funka Bay). There is no tourist bustle here, just an open horizon where you can stand on a cape and watch the sun set, or stroll along a shallow, gentle beach. In this guide, as a host who lives and runs lodgings nearby, we lay out a relaxed half-day “seaside walk” around the Usu district of Date City.
The Usu Coast｜A Quiet Shore on Uchiura Bay, Right Next to Lake Toya
Usu is a coastal district of Date City, just south of Lake Toya, facing Uchiura Bay. The community spreads from the foot of Mount Usu down to the sea, dotted with a fishing port, farm fields, and an old temple. While the Lake Toya Onsen area is framed by mountains, once you descend to Usu the sky opens up and a wide sea appears before you.
The water here is calm and shallow, so in summer it draws swimmers, and in the other seasons it becomes a favorite spot for walks and watching the sunset. Rather than packing in showy sights, the real pleasure of the Usu coast is simply to walk slowly along the shore and take in the quiet. It is close enough for a round trip in half a day from your lodging on Lake Toya, so it makes an easy “other view” to add to your stay.
Altori Cape｜A Famous Spot for Sunsets over Uchiura Bay
The first place to visit on the Usu coast is Altori Cape. This slender cape juts out into Uchiura Bay, and its tip is laid out as Altori Cape Campground. On clear days you can see Mount Usu, Mount Kombu, and distant Mount Yotei, and above all the view of the sun sinking beyond the sea is celebrated as the cape’s finest sight.
Despite the name, there is nothing formal about it: you can drive right up to the observation deck and central clearing and drop in easily. Walk out to the tip and you are surrounded by sea on three sides, with a wonderful sense of openness. The facilities are simple but include tent sites, parking, restrooms, and a cooking area, and use is free of charge. Time your visit for the evening and wait at the point for the sun to go down: that alone makes for a luxurious stretch of time.
- Location: 107 Minami-Usu-cho, Date City
- Open season: late April to October 31 in most years (closed in winter)
- Fee: free
- Facilities: parking, restrooms (vault toilets), cooking area (no roof)
- Notes: carry out your own trash; it is often windy, so bring warm, wind-proof layers
Because it is a cape, windy days are common, and evenings can turn chilly, so bring an extra layer to be safe. As of July 2026. Open dates may change, so please check the latest information from Date City or the Date Tourism Association.
Usu Beach｜Shallow, Gentle Water for Summer
The shallow shore at the base of Altori Cape opens in summer as Usu Beach. With its calm, shallow water, it is popular with families who have small children. In recent years a large seasonal floating aqua park, the “USU Marine Athletic Atui” (with jumps, slides, and other attractions), has appeared offshore and draws family crowds.
The opening period varies from year to year. For reference, in 2025 it ran from July 19 to August 31. If you are visiting specifically to swim, please check the current status before you go. Opening dates and swimming conditions change with the year and the weather. For the latest, check with the Date Tourism Association or the on-site beach house (0142-38-3800, during the open season).
Note that the beach has some rocky patches, so bare feet risk cuts. Bringing water shoes or sandals is a good idea. Outside the swimming season the beach returns to quiet sand, so the less-crowded off-season is actually ideal for walks and sunset watching.
Usu Zenkoji Nature Park｜A “Flower Temple” to Pair with the Coast
Worth combining with your seaside walk is Usu Zenkoji and the adjoining Zenkoji Nature Park in the Usu district. This ancient temple carries more than 1,100 years of history, and because flowers bloom in succession through the seasons, from cherry blossoms in spring to azaleas in early summer, it is also known as a “flower temple.” Walking its quiet grounds on the way home from the sea gives you a sense of the depth of this place called Usu.
We cover the temple, its flowers, and how to visit respectfully in separate articles. For the cherry-blossom season see “Usu Zenkoji Temple Guide,” and for the azalea season see “Azaleas at Usu Zenkoji.” From JR Usu Station (an unstaffed station on the Muroran Main Line) it is about a 20 to 25 minute walk, making it well suited to a small trip by rail.
Michi-no-Eki Aputa & Usu Station｜Stops Along the Seaside Walk
On the way from Lake Toya to the Usu coast sits Michi-no-Eki Aputa (a roadside station in Toyako Town) overlooking Uchiura Bay. It is proud of the seafood landed at the nearby Abuta fishing port, serving sea urchin rice bowls and scallop dishes and takeout. Local farm and marine products and their processed goods are also on sale, handy for stocking up to cook at your lodging. Set on a rise with a view over the sea, it makes a perfect rest stop on a drive.
- Hours: typically 9:00–18:00 (April–September) / 9:00–17:00 (October–March); restaurant 11:00–14:00
- Closed: year-end and New Year, plus variable winter closures (such as Tuesdays)
As of July 2026. Hours, closing days, and menus change with the season, so please check the official Michi-no-Eki Aputa website for the latest. For local ingredients and the fun of cooking your own meals in the Lake Toya area, see also “Lake Toya Gourmet Guide.”
If you are traveling without a car, JR’s Usu Station on the Muroran Main Line is the gateway to a seaside walk. It has the quiet feel of an unstaffed station, and just walking from the station toward the temple lets you soak up the peaceful air of Usu. For planning a coastal route, “Lake Toya Drive Guide” is a helpful reference.
A Half-Day “Usu Seaside Walk” Model Plan
Using your lodging on Lake Toya as a base, you can comfortably cover this in a half day, from afternoon into evening.
- Afternoon: leave your Lake Toya lodging → seafood lunch and a break at Michi-no-Eki Aputa → on to the Usu district
- Afternoon to evening: a “flower temple” stroll at Zenkoji Nature Park → a walk along the Usu shore (swimming in summer)
- Evening: head to Altori Cape and close the day watching the sun set over Uchiura Bay → return to your lodging for a relaxed evening
When Altori Cape is closed in winter (mid-November to mid-April), build your plan around a coastal walk, Zenkoji Nature Park, and Michi-no-Eki Aputa to enjoy the low-snow Usu coast comfortably. If you are curious about how the land and volcanoes were formed, pairing this with the “2000 Eruption Crater Trail” in the Mount Usu area makes for a day that takes in both the sea and the volcanoes.
Base Your Seaside Walk at a Private Rental with a Kitchen
The Usu coast is close enough for a half-day round trip from Lake Toya. That is exactly why it works so well to base yourself on Lake Toya, surrounded by hot springs and nature, and make an easy day trip to the sea. Every Kamonoya property is a whole-house or whole-unit private rental with a full kitchen. Since you never share space with other guests, you can return late after watching the sunset and still enjoy your meals and baths at your own pace.
- For families and groups: Toya INN-West (up to 9 guests, from ¥25,000/night). A whole-house rental in the heart of the hot-spring district, with a wood stove to warm you after a day by the sea.
- For couples and small groups: Toya Terraced House (up to 4 guests, from ¥11,000/night). A calm private unit in the town center that lets you carry home the quiet afterglow of a seaside walk.
- For those seeking quiet: Cloud9 Toya (up to 11 guests, from ¥27,000/night). A hideaway whole-house rental away from the bustle, with a wood stove and BBQ.
You can see the other properties from our list of facilities.
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
Q. I hear Altori Cape is famous for sunsets. Can I visit anytime?
It opens as Altori Cape Campground from late April to October 31 in most years, and during that period you can drop in free of charge. The sunset over Uchiura Bay is beautiful, and since you can drive up near the observation deck, it suits an evening stroll. It is closed in winter (mid-November to mid-April), and the cape is windy, so warm, wind-proof clothing is a good idea (as of July 2026; please check the latest information from Date City or the Date Tourism Association).
Q. When can I swim at Usu Beach? Is it okay for small children?
With its calm, shallow water, it is popular with families who have young children. The opening period shifts from year to year; in 2025 it ran from July 19 to August 31. In summer, the floating aqua park “Atui” also appears offshore. Because there are some rocky patches, we recommend bringing water shoes or sandals. Check the current opening status in advance with the Date Tourism Association or the on-site beach house (0142-38-3800).
Q. Can I get there from my Lake Toya lodging without a car?
JR’s Usu Station (unstaffed) on the Muroran Main Line is the gateway to a seaside walk, and it is about a 20 to 25 minute walk from the station to Usu Zenkoji. However, public transport in the Usu district is limited, so if you want to go on to Altori Cape or Michi-no-Eki Aputa, a rental car or a drive from your lodging is more convenient. Travel times vary with road and train conditions, so check a map app or timetable before you set out.
Q. Can I make the round trip from Lake Toya in half a day?
Yes. The Usu coast is roughly a 25 to 30 minute drive from the Lake Toya Onsen area (about 20 minutes to Usu Zenkoji), so an afternoon-to-evening half day is plenty for the round trip. A popular flow is lunch at Michi-no-Eki Aputa, the flowers of Zenkoji Nature Park, a walk on the Usu shore, and the sunset at Altori Cape. Since every Kamonoya property is a private whole-house or whole-unit rental, you can enjoy a stay unbound by the clock.