Hokkaido winter stays and icy walking
You are used to warm pavements, and you worry about dragging luggage over ice.
Cities and where to stay
Lake Toya or Shikotsu as a quiet base
You want a lakeside onsen night in Hokkaido, and you need to know how you will get there.
Lake Toya is the easier lake base without a car, because its public access is clear and its onsen area is set up for visitors. Lake Shikotsu is quieter, and we confirm current transport before recommending it. Either works for one calm night between Sapporo and the south.
What do the two lakes have in common?
Both are volcanic calderas inside Shikotsu-Toya National Park, where Mount Usu and Mount Tarumae are described as currently active 1. Both suit a slow, scenic stay with an onsen. Both also have limited transit compared with Sapporo, so luggage, meals and last buses matter.
How do you reach Lake Toya?
By car, Toyako Onsen is about two hours from Sapporo and about an hour and a half from New Chitose Airport 2. Without a car, Donan Bus runs from JR Sapporo Station in about 2 hours and 45 minutes with reservation required, or you can take the train to JR Toya Station and a bus of about 20 minutes 3.
Read the Lake Toya and Usu volcano guide for the sights, and planning Hokkaido without assuming rail access for the wider picture.
What about Lake Shikotsu?
Shikotsu is the quieter option, but we have not found a fetchable official timetable for it, so we do not quote times here. We check current bus options and the hotel’s own transfer for your dates, and we tell you plainly if a car or taxi is the better route. For the first night after landing, see the New Chitose first night guide.
Who is a lake base for?
A lake base suits couples, small groups and families who want an onsen night and scenery more than shops. Toyako Onsen accommodation ranges from affordable hotels and rustic ryokan to lavish resorts, and the official site lists a fireworks display every night from April to October 4. It is a weaker fit if you want many dining choices or late nights out.
What should you plan for?
- Luggage: send big cases ahead or carry only what you need for the night.
- Meals: book dinner at the hotel if evening options are limited.
- Last buses: check them before you plan an evening walk, using the bus times guide.
- Winter: read the winter walking safety guide before booking.
What should Malaysian travellers know?
Plan halal and dietary needs ahead, because lake onsen towns have fewer restaurants than Sapporo. Our Noboribetsu or Sapporo guide shows a comparison for onsen bases. See our Hokkaido page for the region.
If a quiet lakeside night appeals, send us your dates and whether you will drive. We check bus options, meal plans and luggage before suggesting Toya or Shikotsu.
Keep planning
First night near New Chitose or in Sapporo
Your plane lands late in Hokkaido, and you wonder where the first bed should be.
Lake Toya and Mount Usu: worth it?
You are crossing southern Hokkaido and wondering if a volcanic lake deserves the detour.
Hokkaido without assuming a train to every stop
You picture Hokkaido by train, and you want to know which places that picture really covers.
Hokkaido, planned around your family
You picture cool air and open land, and want it to be easy for everyone.
Noboribetsu: stay overnight or return to Sapporo
You want the onsen town in the evening, and a city bed feels safer.
Questions travellers ask
Which lake is easier to reach, Toya or Shikotsu?
Toya has clear public access: a direct Donan Bus from JR Sapporo Station takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes with reservation required, or you can take the train to JR Toya Station and a 20-minute bus. For Shikotsu, we confirm current bus options for your dates before suggesting it.
Is a lake base good without a car?
It can be, if you accept limited transit. Choose a lakeside onsen hotel, plan meals there, and treat the lake as the main activity. Without a car, expect fewer evening options and a firm need to check last buses.
Are both lakes volcanic?
Yes. Visit Hokkaido describes Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya as the two major calderas of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, and notes Mount Usu and Mount Tarumae as currently active volcanoes. The setting is part of the appeal, so check local volcano notices as you would anywhere.
Sources
Figures are checked against these sources and dated so you can see how current they are.
- Visit Hokkaido, Seven National Parksaccessed 2026-10-20
- Toyako Onsen official tourism siteaccessed 2026-10-20
- Toyako Onsen official tourism site, Accessaccessed 2026-10-20
- Toyako Onsen official tourism siteaccessed 2026-10-20
Ready to shape your Japan trip?
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and what you hope to see. We will reply with ideas and a tailored quote.