1. The "Lake Toya Illumination Tunnel & Street" sparkles in the winter air.

Photo courtesy of Toyako Town
If you're visiting Lake Toya in winter, the illuminated tunnel and illuminated street are absolute must-see spots.

This illumination event is held every year from November to around March, and the lights sparkle beautifully in the cold winter air.

Photo courtesy of Toyako Town
The illuminated tunnel looks sparkling and beautiful from the outside, but it's truly breathtaking when you step inside.

Surrounded by countless lights, it felt as if I had wandered into a fantasy world.
This venue is located in an area with many hot spring hotels, so you can easily visit it after having dinner or enjoying a soak in the hot springs.

Photo courtesy of Toyako Town
The illumination street is located in front of the Toyako Kisen headquarters, which operates sightseeing boats on Lake Toya.

These illuminations light up after sunset, so during the shorter days of the year, they start to light up around 16 PM.
Therefore, you can take your time enjoying the illuminations, warm up your chilled body in the hot springs at your accommodation, and then have a meal.

<Lake Toya Illumination Tunnel>
Address: 69 Toyako Onsen, Toyako-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 049-5721, Japan
TEL: 0142-75-2446 (Toyako Onsen Tourism Association)
Event period: Mid-November to late February
Opening hours: 19: 00 to 22: 00
<Lake Toya Illumination Street>
Address: 29 Toyako Onsen, Toyako-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 049-5721 (in front of Toyako Kisen headquarters)
TEL: 0142-75-2446 (Toyako Onsen Tourism Association)
Event period: Early November to late March
Opening hours: Sunset to 22:00 PM
Official website:http://www.laketoya.com/

2. A breathtaking winter spectacle: "The frost-covered trees of Orofre Pass"

Photo: Noboribetsu Tourism Association
The Orofre Pass connects Noboribetsu and Sobetsu towns, which are neighboring towns across Lake Toya.
This area was historically known as a difficult place to travel through.

However, this mountain pass is home to many trees, making it a place where you can enjoy vibrant greenery in the summer and magnificent autumn foliage.
Winter is extremely cold, but you can see fantastical frost-covered trees that will make you forget all about the cold.
The frost-covered trees, resembling white flowers blooming on withered trees, are one of the must-see sights in the Lake Toya and Noboribetsu area during winter.

<Orofre Pass>
Address: Karurusu-cho, Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido 059-0465

3. Enjoy winter actively at the "Lake Toya Winter Festival"

Photo courtesy of Toyako Town
Lake Toya is known for its nightly fireworks displays during the summer, but there are also events where you can enjoy beautiful fireworks in the winter.

That's the Toyako Onsen Winter Festival, which is held during the same period as the Sapporo Snow Festival.
During the event period, you can enjoy a 10-minute fireworks display every day starting at 20:30 PM.

This fireworks display includes not only aerial fireworks but also a large-scale pyrotechnic display called "Niagara Falls," so be sure to watch it from close to the venue.

Photo courtesy of Toyako Town
The festival grounds also feature various events, as well as booths where you can enjoy foot baths and hand baths, unique to a hot spring town.

After warming your heart with fireworks, warm your body with a footbath or something similar before returning to your accommodation.

<Lake Toya Winter Festival>
Address: 69 Toyako Onsen, Toyako-cho, Hokkaido 049-5721
TEL: 0142-75-2446 (Toyako Onsen Tourism Association)
Event period: Early February
Admission: Free (Some events require a fee)
Official website:Toyako Onsen Winter Festival

4. The Noboribetsu Onsen Hot Spring Festival: A whirlwind of excitement

Photo courtesy of Noboribetsu Tourism Association
The Noboribetsu Onsen Hot Spring Festival takes place during Setsubun, the coldest time of year in Hokkaido, when men in loincloths engage in hot water splashing contests and other activities.

The sight of the area becoming completely white with the heat rising from the hot water and the men's bodies is breathtaking.

This festival is held to express gratitude for the abundant supply and quality of hot spring water at Noboribetsu Onsen, and to offer prayers that the hot springs will never run dry in the future.

<Noboribetsu Onsen Hot Spring Festival>
Address: Noboribetsu Onsen area
TEL: 0143-84-3311 (Noboribetsu Tourism Association)
Event period: February 3rd - 4th
Admission: Free
Official website:http://www.noboribetsu-spa.jp/?events=yumatsuri

5. The "Karurusu Onsen Winter Festival" - an event that adults and children can enjoy.

Photo courtesy of Noboribetsu Tourism Association
Noboribetsu's winter festivals aren't limited to the Noboribetsu Onsen Yu Matsuri, which is primarily for men.

The Karurusu Onsen Winter Festival is held every year on the first Sunday of March, and takes place at the Sun Live Ski Resort.

The venue offers numerous events where you can enjoy physical activity in the snow, such as picking tangerines and treasure hunts.
It's a festival with lots of prizes that everyone from children to the elderly can participate in.

<Karurusu Hot Spring Winter Festival>
Address: 27 Karurusu-cho, Noboribetsu City
TEL: 0143-84-3311 (Noboribetsu Tourism Association)
Event period: First Sunday of March
Opening hours: 9:00 AM to around 13:15 PM
Admission: Free
Official website:http://www.noboribetsu-spa.jp/?events=karurusu

6. What are the temperatures and climate like in the Noboribetsu/Lake Toya area? What kind of clothing should I wear?

Photo courtesy of Toyako Town

Both Lake Toya and Noboribetsu are warmer and receive less snowfall compared to other parts of Hokkaido.

Even in the dead of winter, the minimum temperature rarely drops below minus 10 degrees Celsius, making winter sightseeing relatively easy.

However, even in areas that are relatively warm within Hokkaido, you will still need warm clothing if you plan to spend a long time outdoors at illuminations or festivals.

Especially when you're playing in the snow, like at the Karurusu Onsen Winter Festival, it's a good idea to have ski wear or similar gear.
It's also recommended to wear insulated boots suitable for snowy conditions.

Final thoughts

We've introduced some of the must-see winter attractions and events in the Lake Toya and Noboribetsu area.

This area, home to a hot spring resort, offers attractions and events throughout the year, but soaking in a hot spring after spending time outdoors in the cold is truly special.

The open-air baths where you can soak while watching the snow fall are also fantastic. Be sure to enjoy the Lake Toya and Noboribetsu area in winter!

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