When you stay at Lake Toya, some of the most rewarding places lie just a short drive beyond the lake itself. One of them is the Otaki district of Date City, on the eastern side of the lake. Here you will find riverside hot-spring inns at Kitayuzawa Onsen, the three-tiered Sankaidaki Falls, and a famous roadside stop known for its mushroom soup — a quiet mountain valley wrapped in deep forest and the sound of running water. Kamonoya, which operates private vacation rentals around Lake Toya, offers this local guide to the Otaki area, an easy and rewarding addition to any Lake Toya stay.
Kitayuzawa Onsen, a Fine Hot Spring Along the Osaru River
Kitayuzawa Onsen is a hot-spring area where inns are scattered along the gorge of the Osaru River in the Otaki district of Date. Designated a National Health Resort Hot Spring in 1957, this storied spa town lines the river with everything from large resort hotels to small inns and family-run guesthouses.
The water is described as an alkaline simple spring, giving it a soft, gentle character that is easy on the skin. Soaking while listening to the murmur of the mountain stream offers a stillness quite different from Lake Toya Onsen. Beyond overnight stays, some facilities offer day-use bathing, so you can enjoy the springs as a “stop along the way” on a drive from Lake Toya. There is also a free footbath for a quick, casual soak.
In winter, the “Kitayuzawa Onsen Long-Run Fireworks” light up the snowy valley, held from late December through mid-January in a typical year, filling the quiet gorge with a magical glow. (Dates, prices, and hours vary by year. As of July 2026; please confirm the latest details with each facility or official sources.)
Scenery of the Gorge: Sankaidaki Falls and Shiraginu-no-Toko
No account of Otaki’s nature is complete without its river scenery — fitting for a district whose name literally means “great falls.” The star attraction is Sankaidaki, meaning “three-tiered falls.” The water tumbles down in three graceful stages, making it one of Hokkaido’s finest gorge landscapes.
The falls sit just off National Route 453, about one kilometer east of the highway signboard, within the landscaped Sankaidaki Park. The park has walking paths, a lawn, and a rest house, making it perfect for a stroll or a picnic. Nearby is a spring called Kanro-hosui, whose water visitors and locals alike come to draw and take home. Cool and refreshing in summer, framed by autumn foliage in fall, and frozen into a shimmering ice cascade in winter — Sankaidaki wears a completely different face in every season.
Around Kitayuzawa, the bed of the Osaru River becomes a single slab of green tuff over which the water slides like white silk, a scenic spot known as Shiraginu-no-Toko (“the floor of white silk”). Here the gorge itself is the attraction.
A Favorite Roadside Stop: Kinoko Kingdom Otaki Main Store
If you are driving through Otaki, be sure to stop at Kinoko Kingdom Otaki Main Store. Located in Sankaidaki-cho, it is a large roadside rest stop famous for mushroom dishes and mushroom souvenirs. Its signature offering is a hearty, warming “mushroom soup” (kinoko-jiru). Available at a modest price, it has been a beloved bowl for years, and many drivers pause here for a break.
Inside, shelves are lined with processed mushroom products such as seasoned nametake and other souvenirs — a handy place to pick up ingredients for dinner if you are staying at a rental with a kitchen. The store is open from 9:00 to 18:00 and reported to be open year-round. (As of July 2026. Hours and closing days may change, so please confirm the latest information on the official website.)
Buying local ingredients in Otaki and cooking them slowly back at your lodging is a travel pleasure we also cover in our Lake Toya Local Gourmet Guide — do take a look.
Getting There from Lake Toya, and How to Plan Your Route
The Otaki district lies on the eastern side of Lake Toya. From the Lake Toya Onsen area to Kitayuzawa Onsen is roughly 30 to 40 minutes by car via Sobetsu (a route-search estimate). Because Sankaidaki Falls and Kinoko Kingdom sit along National Route 453 — the road leading from Lake Toya toward Lake Shikotsu and Sapporo — they combine easily with a lakeside drive and time in nature.
A good plan is a half- to full-day loop: leave Lake Toya in the morning, walk the gorge at Sankaidaki, break and shop at Kinoko Kingdom, then soak in a day-use bath at Kitayuzawa Onsen before returning to your lodging in the evening. It also works well to stop in Otaki as you pass through on a travel day toward Shikotsu or Sapporo.
Because Otaki is a mountain area, roads are icy and snow-covered in winter. If visiting in the cold season, winter tires and extra time are essential. Conditions on mountain passes and on the falls’ walking paths change with the season and weather, so check the latest road and facility information before setting out. For making the most of winter around Lake Toya, see our Winter Lake Toya Guide; for autumn foliage drives, our Lake Toya Autumn Foliage Drive Guide. If you want to enjoy the hot springs themselves, our Lake Toya Day-Use Onsen Guide is a good companion.
Private Vacation Rentals to Base Your Otaki Trip
Otaki is easy to enjoy as a day trip, but to savor the gorge and hot springs at your own pace, a private vacation rental near Lake Toya — one you can set out from again and again — is ideal. Every Kamonoya property is a whole-house or whole-unit private rental with a full kitchen. In a private space where you never share with other guests, you can cook the mushrooms and ingredients you picked up in Otaki and enjoy a quiet evening.
- For large groups: Toya Farmer’s House (sleeps 18, from ¥25,000/night). A large whole-house rental with a fireplace, perfect as a driving base.
- For a quiet retreat in nature: Cloud9 Toya (sleeps 11, from ¥27,000/night). A hideaway-style whole-house rental with a wood stove.
- For couples and small groups on a driving trip: Lake Toya Building 2LDK (sleeps 6, from ¥11,000/night). A central base that keeps you light on your feet.
You can see our other properties on the 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. How long does it take to reach Otaki and Kitayuzawa Onsen from Lake Toya?
From the Lake Toya Onsen area to Kitayuzawa Onsen is roughly 30 to 40 minutes by car via Sobetsu. Sankaidaki Falls and Kinoko Kingdom sit along National Route 453 heading toward Lake Shikotsu and Sapporo, so they are convenient to visit as you pass through on a travel day. Allow extra time in winter, when snow and ice are common.
Q. Can I use the hot springs at Kitayuzawa Onsen for the day?
Some facilities offer day-use bathing, and there is a footbath, so you can enjoy the springs even on a passing visit. Reception hours and closed days differ by facility and change from year to year. As of July 2026; please confirm with each facility’s official information before you go.
Q. Can I see Sankaidaki Falls in winter?
Sankaidaki can be enjoyed in any season and freezes into an ice cascade in winter. However, Otaki is a mountain area with frequent snow and ice. Winter tires and careful footing on the walking paths are essential. Check the latest road and park conditions before setting out.
Q. What are the opening hours of Kinoko Kingdom Otaki Main Store?
The store is open from 9:00 to 18:00 and reported to be open year-round (as of July 2026). Along with its signature mushroom soup, it offers a rich selection of mushroom souvenirs such as seasoned nametake. Hours and closing days may change, so please confirm the latest details on the official website.