Toyako Onsen In Hokkaido - Access, Hot Springs And Inns

What Kind of Place Is Toyako Onsen?

Tokyako Onsen is a hot spring village where the 34th G8 Summit was held in 2008. The hot springs are by the lakeside of Toyako and you are able to enjoy a spectacular view while bathing. In addition, there are free hand baths and foot baths that are used not only by tourists but by locals as well.

In this article, we would like to introduce the charms of Tokyako Onsen where you can enjoy both hot springs and nature.

The Features of Toyako Onsen

The hot springs of Toyako contain minerals such as sodium, calcium, and chloride. They are said to relieve fatigue, ease muscle and joint pains, help poor circulation, and stomach problems. The color of the water is either clear with no color or have a yellowish tint.

Tokyako Onsen's hot spring water is not meant for drinking, so please be careful not to consume it.

How to Get to Toyako Onsen

The following are ways to get to the closest station to Tokyako Onsen from Sapporo, Shin-Chitose Airport, Muroran, and Hakodate.

For more information about getting to various places in Hokkaido from Tokyo, please read Ways To Travel From Tokyo To Hokkaido! A Thorough Comparison.

From Sapporo

From Sapporo Station, get on the JR Limited Express Hokuto bound for Hakodate and get off at Toya Station. It takes around an hour and 50 minutes and costs 5920 yen.

From Shin-Chitose Airport

Get on the JR airport express bound for Otaru from Shin-Chitose Airport station. Transfer to the JR Limited Express Hokuto at Minami Chitose Station bound for Hakodate and get off at Toya Station. It takes around an hour and 30 minutes and costs 4950 yen.

From Muroran

From the Muroran area, get on the JR Limited Express Hokuto bound for Hakodate from Higashi Muroran Station and get off at Toya Station. It takes around 30 minutes and costs 1880 yen.

From Hakodate

Get on the JR Limited Express Hokuto bound for Sapporo from Hakodate and get off at Toya station. It takes an hour and 50 minutes and costs 5940 yen.

One-Day Bath Spots and Onsen Stands in Toyako Onsen

Toya Village-Run Hot Springs - Ikoi no Ie

Photo courtesy of Toyako Town Office Sightseeing Promotion Division

Ikoi no Ie is a spot where you can bathe while basking in the beautiful views of Lake Toya. It isn't an open-air bath, but you can relax in a large bath that is popular among the locals.

Bathing fee: adults 440 yen, elementary school students 140 yen, infants 70 yen (with tax and bathing tax)
Address: Hokkaido, Abuta, Toyako, Toyamachi 199

Foot Bath Pocket Park - Yakushi no Yu

Photo courtesy of Toyako Town Office Sightseeing Promotion Division

Yakushi no Yu is a unique park that has a foot bath and hand bath inside the Toyako Hot Spring Village. With an iconic red umbrella sign, this park was made for locals and visitors to casually enjoy the hot springs.

Bathing fee: Free
Address: Hokkaido, Abuta, Toyako, Toyako Onsen 91

Foot Bath - Touron no Yu

Photo courtesy of Toyako Town Office Sightseeing Promotion Division

A foot bath located on the lakeside of Toyako. This is a perfect spot to give your feet a relaxing dip while gazing at the beautiful views of Toyako.

Bathing fee: Free
Address: Hokkaido, Abuta, Toyako, Toyako Onsen

Onsen Stand

Photo courtesy of Toyako Town Office Sightseeing Promotion Division

One of the highlights of Toyako Onsen is the onsen stand. Like a gas stand, it is a hot spring vending machine where you can fill a tank up with hot spring water and take it home. Many locals enjoy bathing in the hot springs water right in their own tub at home! It only costs 50 yen (with tax) for 100 liters - really!

Address: Hokkaido, Abuta, Toyako, Toyamachi 59-4

Recommended Inns at Toyako Onsen

Kohantei

An inn that stands right in front of Toyako is Kohantei. The best part about staying in this inn is the exceptional view of Lake Toya that can be enjoyed while bathing in the open-air bath. For dinner, you can savor a buffet of sashimi and tempura made from fresh seafood caught in Hokkaido. Rooms come in either Japanese, Western or mixed types with a bed on a tatami mat floor.

Address: Hokkaido, Abuta, Toyako, Toyako Onsen 7-8
Website: Kohantei

Toya Sun Palace Resort & Spa

Toya Sun Palace Resort & Spa is a large hotel standing by the lakeside of Toyako. Along with an open-air bath overlooking the lake, you can enjoy swimming in a resort island-like pool here too. Popular among families and couples, rooms can be selected from Japanese, Western, or wayoshitsu (*1) type.

*1 wayoshitsu: a Japanese-style room with a tatami mat and a Western-style bed.

Address: Hokkaido, Usu, Sobetsu, Toyako Onsen 7-1
Website: Toya Sun Palace Resort & Spa

Tourist Spots and Activities Around Toyako Onsen

Photo courtesy of Toyako Town Office Sightseeing Promotion Division

After enjoying your time in the hot springs, why not extend your journey to the tourist spots in the surrounding areas?

On the south of Toyako, you will find Mt. Usu that has been designated as Japan's first UNESCO Global Geopark (Japanese). Marvel at the dynamic surfaces that have been formed by the volcano along with ruins from the Jomon period (c. 14,000-300 BCE).

From the Sairo Observation deck (Japanese) on the west side of Toyako, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Toyako and the surrounding mountain ranges.

There are also plenty of activities to enjoy on the lake. Take a ride on a cruising boat or head out in a canoe to witness the clear waters of the lake.

Get the most out of your visit in Toyako by visiting its hot springs, natural sites, tasting delicious food, and immersing yourself in the wonders of Hokkaido.

More information about bathing in hot springs can be found in the following article, ”What You Should Know About Bath Culture In Japan”.

** Travel times and expenses are based on JR Hokkaido and the official websites of each location. Information is current as of February 2017. May be subject to change.

Lake Toya Onsen

Toyako Onsen, Toyako-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 049-5721