When it comes to the joys of travel, food is always near the top of the list. The Lake Toya area is wrapped in fertile land shaped by the lake and its volcanoes—a true treasure house of ingredients, from vegetables and dairy to the bounty of the lake itself. Kamonoya, which runs 11 whole-house rentals in the area, shares how to enjoy Lake Toya’s food scene from a host’s perspective, for both those who love dining out and those who love cooking their own.
The basics of Lake Toya food: two areas to enjoy—the onsen town and the lakeside
Places to eat around Lake Toya fall broadly into two areas. One is the Lake Toya Onsen town. Lined with hotels and souvenir shops along the lake’s southern shore, the onsen town offers a wide range of dining—ramen, set meals, fresh seafood, and sweets. Its compact, walkable size is part of the charm, and a classic way to spend the evening is to stroll along the lakeside after dinner and watch the Lake Toya Long-run Fireworks Festival, held every night from around 20:45 for about 20 minutes, typically from late April to the end of October.
The other is the cafés and restaurants dotted around the lake. Lake Toya is about 40 km around—roughly an hour by car—so touring the spots that catch your eye as you drive is another great option. A lunch or coffee with a view over the water becomes a luxurious moment that only Lake Toya can offer.
For those with a sweet tooth: Wakasaimo Honpo and Lake Hill Farm
Two spots you shouldn’t miss when it comes to Lake Toya food.
Wakasaimo Honpo
A long-established confectioner known for “Wakasaimo,” Lake Toya’s signature sweet. As well as being a classic souvenir, its shop in the Lake Toya Onsen town is a place to shop and snack as you go. You may even come across freshly made treats to enjoy on the spot, so drop by during a stroll through the onsen town (menus and opening hours may change by season, so please check the official website for the latest information).
Lake Hill Farm
A gelato shop run by a farm near Lake Toya, popular with locals and visitors alike. Made with fresh milk straight from the farm, the gelato comes in a wide variety of flavors—perfect for a break on a Lake Toya drive. With its open, spacious setting, it’s a lovely place to relax outside on a fine day. Seasonal flavors make an appearance from time to time, too.
Lake Toya is made for cooking your own: “home cooking” with local ingredients
What we most want to recommend is stocking up on local ingredients and cooking for yourself. Farming thrives around Lake Toya, and each season brings freshly harvested vegetables to farm stands and local-produce corners. Summer offers tomatoes and corn, autumn brings potatoes and pumpkin, and other quintessentially Hokkaido ingredients line the shelves (selection varies by season and shop).
Every Kamonoya property has a fully equipped kitchen. And because you rent the entire house or unit, you can cook and eat whatever you like, whenever you like, without worrying about other guests. Families with small children for whom dining out can be a challenge, and large groups who struggle with limited restaurant seating, tell us they especially appreciate the cook-your-own style.
- Toya House (up to 8 guests, from ¥24,000/night) — a whole-house rental in the heart of the onsen town. BBQ is available too, so you can enjoy a “Hokkaido BBQ” grilling local vegetables and meat.
- Toya Farmer’s House (up to 18 guests, from ¥25,000/night) — built for large groups, with a BBQ and a fireplace. Ideal for retreat-style meals where everyone pitches in at the kitchen.
- Lake Toya Building 2LDK (up to 6 guests, from ¥11,000/night) — an apartment-style unit in the heart of the onsen town. Easy walking access to restaurants lets you enjoy the best of both dining out and cooking in.
If you’d like to fire up the grill, see our companion article “Cottages with BBQ at Lake Toya” as well.
Model plan: a one-night, two-day “eating Lake Toya” trip
- Day 1, afternoon: Arrive at Lake Toya → gelato at Lake Hill Farm on a lakeside drive → pick up ingredients for dinner at a farm stand
- Day 1, evening: A dinner of local ingredients in your lodging’s kitchen (or a BBQ) → the Long-run Fireworks by the lake (during the season)
- Day 2, morning: Stroll the onsen town and grab souvenirs and snacks at Wakasaimo Honpo → lunch at an onsen-town restaurant before heading home
If you’d like to combine this with sightseeing nearby, see our “Lake Toya sightseeing model course” for reference.
Make a kitchen-equipped private rental your base for good food
The best thing about Lake Toya is that you can enjoy both dining out and cooking in. All 11 Kamonoya properties are private rentals with a full kitchen, so you can travel freely—”eating out tonight, stocking up for home cooking tomorrow.” For the features of each property, see 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. Are there many restaurants in the Lake Toya Onsen town? Are they open in the evening?
Restaurants are scattered within walking distance in the onsen town, but as this is a rural hot-spring area, some close early. If you’re arriving late at night, it’s reassuring to buy ingredients or a boxed meal in advance. Every Kamonoya property has a kitchen, so you can have a warm meal in your room even at a late hour.
Q. Where can I buy ingredients?
There are supermarkets and shops in the onsen town and surrounding area, and depending on the season, you can also find freshly harvested vegetables at farm stands. Opening hours vary by shop, so we recommend finishing your shopping in daylight on the day you arrive.
Q. Are there properties where I can have a BBQ?
Yes. We have BBQ-friendly properties such as Toya House and Toya Farmer’s House. Please check each property page or contact us for details of the facilities.