Looking for one more thing to pair with your Lake Toya trip? Head to fruit picking in Sobetsu, the town just east of the lake. Sobetsu is one of Hokkaido’s leading fruit-growing towns, with orchards lining the national highway and seasonal fruit picking on offer from early summer through autumn. Kamonoya, which runs 11 whole-house rentals at Lake Toya, shares how to enjoy Sobetsu fruit picking from the perspective of a local inn.
What kind of town is Sobetsu? Access from Lake Toya
Sobetsu is the neighboring town on the eastern shore of Lake Toya, and it is also home to Showa-Shinzan and the Usuzan Ropeway. The well-drained soil and climate created by Mount Usu’s volcanic activity are ideal for growing fruit, and the town is known as a “fruit town” where many orchards—apples above all—are clustered together.
It is an easy drive from the Lake Toya onsen town, and the route makes for a pleasant lakeside drive as well. Being able to combine it with a visit to Showa-Shinzan and the Usuzan Ropeway is a big draw.
Seasonal fruit calendar (a rough guide)
In and around Sobetsu, you can typically enjoy the following fruit by season. Timing shifts with the weather, and availability and varieties differ from orchard to orchard, so please be sure to check with each orchard before you set out.
- Early summer: Strawberry picking. A perfect “first fruit-picking experience” for children.
- Summer: Cherry picking. Orchards with rain-shelter houses may still be enjoyable even on unsettled days.
- Late summer to early autumn: Some orchards offer plums, prunes, grapes and more.
- Autumn: Apple picking. The signature fruit of Sobetsu, with a relay of varieties that keeps the season going for a long stretch.
Pricing systems (all-you-can-eat, sold by weight, take-home options, and so on), opening hours, and whether reservations are required all vary by orchard. Rather than relying only on “usually around such-and-such month,” please check the latest details in each orchard’s official information.
Tips for enjoying fruit picking
- Mornings are best: The cooler hours are more comfortable, and the fruit is often in better condition. By the afternoon, some of the picking may already be done.
- Dress to move easily: This is field terrain. Bring shoes you don’t mind getting dirty, and in summer a hat and insect repellent will put you at ease.
- Combine it with sightseeing: It’s in the same direction as Showa-Shinzan, the Usuzan Ropeway, and the Silo Observatory, so you can pack “volcano sightseeing + fruit picking” into half a day.
- Buy some to take home: Even without picking, some orchards sell the day’s fruit directly. Do stop by on your drive.
Enjoy your harvest at a kitchen-equipped private rental
Fruit picking and a stay at Kamonoya are, in fact, a perfect match. Every one of our properties is a whole-house or private-unit rental with a full kitchen, so you can chill the fruit you’ve picked and enjoy it as an after-dinner dessert, add it to your breakfast yogurt, and savor the luxury of “tasting it at your lodging the very day you picked it.”
- Toya House (up to 8 guests, from ¥24,000/night) — A whole-house rental in the heart of the onsen town. Just the right size as a base for family fruit picking.
- Toya Farmer’s House (up to 18 guests, from ¥25,000/night) — For larger groups. Great for a “fruit-picking retreat” with three families together.
- Toya Terraced House (up to 4 guests, from ¥11,000/night) — For small groups and couples. A relaxed base for orchard-hopping as a pair.
For a larger-group trip, see our “guide to large-group lodging at Lake Toya,” and for the full picture of sightseeing in the area, take a look at our “Lake Toya sightseeing model course” as well.
A model plan: a Lake Toya stay with Sobetsu fruit picking
- Day 1: Arrive at Lake Toya → stroll along the lakeshore and try the hand and foot baths in the onsen town → dinner at your lodging → during the season, the Long-run Fireworks Festival (usually late April to the end of October, about 20 minutes from around 20:45 every night)
- Day 2, morning: Fruit picking at a Sobetsu orchard → sightseeing at Showa-Shinzan and the Usuzan Ropeway
- Day 2, afternoon: Take in the whole lake from the Silo Observatory before heading home (if you’re staying multiple nights, head back to your lodging for a fruit dessert)
Kamonoya’s properties come in many types and sizes. Browse our list of properties to find the one that fits your travel style.
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. Do I need a reservation for fruit picking?
It varies by orchard. Some don’t require reservations, while others may need one depending on the season or the size of your group. Opening days can also change with growing conditions, so please check directly with each orchard before you set out.
Q. How far is it from the Lake Toya onsen town to the Sobetsu orchards?
Sobetsu is the town just east of the Lake Toya onsen town, in the same direction as Showa-Shinzan and the Usuzan Ropeway. The orchards are scattered along the national highway, close enough to drop by quickly from the onsen town. Many visitors combine “volcano sightseeing + fruit picking” in half a day. Pairing it with a drive around the lake (about 40 km, roughly an hour by car) is another great option.
Q. Can we enjoy it with small children?
We recommend starting with fruit that’s easy for children to pick, such as strawberries. On-site facilities and whether strollers are allowed differ from orchard to orchard, so please check in advance. As for lodging, a whole-house rental lets you relax without worrying about those around you. For details on amenities, please check each property page or get in touch with us.