Of all the ways to enjoy Lake Toya, the one we quietly recommend most is the “drive around the lake.” Lake Toya is about 40 km in circumference—roughly an hour by car if you drive nonstop. It’s a just-right distance: spend half a day circling the lake and stopping along the way, and you’ll take in everything Lake Toya has to offer. Kamonoya, which runs 11 whole-house rentals around Lake Toya, has driven this loop many times, so here we share the insider’s guide to enjoying the circuit.

The basics: about 40 km, roughly 1 hour by car

Lake Toya is a nearly circular caldera lake, with a road running all the way around its shore. The loop is about 40 km, with few traffic lights, and takes around an hour to drive nonstop. But the real joy of the circuit is the detours. Stopping to take photos, admire sculptures, or rest at a café, and taking 2 to 4 hours to make your way around at a leisurely pace, is the way to go.

• You can enjoy it going clockwise or counterclockwise. One idea is to pick the direction that gives the front-seat passenger the best view of the lake.
• The road is generally an easy-to-drive two lanes, but watch for icy surfaces in winter—use winter tires and leave yourself plenty of margin.
• Start from the onsen town and you can make the full loop and return straight to your lodging.

Lake Toya Sculpture Park: the whole lakeshore as an open-air museum

A big part of the fun of the Lake Toya loop is the “Lake Toya Gurutto Sculpture Park.” Sculptures are dotted around the lakeshore, letting you tour open-air artworks as you circle the lake—a rare undertaking even by national standards.

The works stand both along the lakeside promenade in the onsen town and on the quiet shores on the far side of the lake. Driving along while wondering “what kind of work will come next” turns a simple journey into a treasure-hunt of a drive. When you spot a piece that catches your eye, it’s worth stopping the car to photograph it with the lake as a backdrop. A single frame capturing the artwork, the lake and the sky together is something you can only get at Lake Toya.

Places to stop: farm stands, cafés and viewpoints

The area around the lake is also a thriving farming region, and in season you may find roadside stands selling farm produce—another pleasure of the drive, where you can come across freshly picked vegetables and fruit. Since open days and seasons vary by location, drop by with a “lucky if it’s open” mindset.

On the north side of the lake is Lake Hill Farm, popular for its gelato. Gelato enjoyed in a setting of pastoral scenery with a view of Mount Yotei is exceptional—a classic stop that delights families and couples alike. On the northwest side of the lake is the Silo Observatory, where you can look out over all of Lake Toya from above. For details, see our article on Lake Toya’s scenic viewpoints. For souvenirs, the celebrated sweets of the long-established Wakasaimo Honpo in the onsen town are another classic choice.

Model plan: an afternoon half-day loop

As one example, here is a half-day plan departing the onsen town at 1:00 p.m.

• 13:00 Set off from the onsen town. Drive leisurely along the shore, hunting for sculptures.
• Around 14:00 Stop at Lake Hill Farm on the north side of the lake for a gelato break.
• Around 15:00 Take in the full panorama of Lake Toya from the Silo Observatory.
• Around 16:00 Arrive back in the onsen town. Stroll the lakeside promenade and take a breather at a hand bath or foot bath.
• Around 20:45 Watch the Lake Toya Long-run Fireworks Festival (typically late April to the end of October, about 20 minutes every night) from the lakeside.

A popular combination is to tour Mount Usu and Showa-Shinzan in the morning, then make the loop in the afternoon. For putting together a full one-night, two-day trip, see our Lake Toya model course article as well.

Make a Kamonoya whole-house rental your drive base

Every Kamonoya property is a fully kitchen-equipped whole-house or private-unit rental. Cooking the vegetables and ingredients you’ve gathered on your drive right in the lodging’s kitchen is the real charm of a whole-house rental. At Toya House (sleeps 8, from ¥24,000/night), which has BBQ facilities, or Toya Farmer’s House (sleeps 18, from ¥25,000/night), which sleeps a large group and even has a fireplace, the day’s driving haul turns straight into a dinner feast. For ideas on enjoying a BBQ, see our BBQ cottage article. Browse all our properties from the facility list.For where to buy ingredients and local food tips, see our Lake Toya food guide.

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FAQ

How long does it take to drive around Lake Toya?

Nonstop, the roughly 40 km loop takes about an hour by car. Including time to view the sculptures in the park and stop at cafés and observatories, allow around 2 to 4 hours. Keeping half a day free lets you enjoy it at a relaxed pace.

Can you do the loop drive in winter, too?

The road is generally open year-round, but winter brings snow and ice, so winter tires are essential and you should allow extra time. Depending on the weather, visibility can also drop. The snowy lakeshore is quiet and beautiful, with a charm unique to winter.

Can you cycle around the lake?

The roughly 40 km distance is a popular cycling course as well. There are some ups and downs, so plan according to your fitness. The mild seasons from spring to autumn are best, and with the Lake Toya Marathon along the lakeshore held each year around May, Lake Toya is a lake that pairs well with sports.