There are two driving routes from Sapporo to Lake Toya: one using the expressway, and another taking the general road "National Route 230" and going over Nakayama Pass.
The route from Sapporo to Lake Toya using the expressway takes approximately 2 hours (distance: 155 km), while the route using National Route 230 takes approximately 2 hours (distance: 105 km).

Taking the highway is a longer route and incurs toll fees, so there's almost no benefit to using it unless you're in a hurry during the winter.

Here, we will introduce tourist spots along the route from Sapporo to Lake Toya via the general road "National Route 230".

<Contents>
1. Roadside Station "Boyo Nakayama"
2. Kyogoku Town "Fukidashi Park"
3. Village of Spring Water
4. Takashi Hosokawa Memorial Statue
5. Roadside Station "230 Rusutsu"
6. Touya Water Station
7. Wakasaimo Honpo Toyako Main Store
Final thoughts

Located at the summit of Nakayama Pass, the roadside station "Boyo Nakayama" is a complex facility that includes souvenir shops, a restaurant, and the "Forest Art Museum."

This place is home to the famous "Toge no Ageimo" (deep-fried potatoes from the mountain pass), which has gained nationwide recognition, so be sure to stop by for a break and enjoy some ageimo.

With its crispy exterior and sweet, fluffy interior, it's so delicious you'll find yourself eating it non-stop like a snack. It's easy to see why so many people stop by here specifically for "Toge no Ageimo" (Mountain Pass Fried Potatoes).

Let's deviate slightly from our route and make a stop at Kyogoku Town, located at the foot of Mount Yotei.
The "Kyogoku-Kutchan Prefectural Road," which connects Kyogoku Town and Kutchan Town, has a roadside station called "Meisui no Sato Kyogoku," which is adjacent to "Fukidashi Park."

The spring water here is very famous as "Yotei's Fukidashi Spring Water," which has been selected as one of the 100 best waters in Japan by the Ministry of the Environment, and it is a popular spot where many people stop by to collect this famous water.
There are even ramen shops in Sapporo that use this spring water from Kyogoku, and many people visit seeking its mild and delicious taste.

Fukidashi Park has a shopping area called "Meisui Plaza" and a large open space with playground equipment and other facilities, providing an environment where children can play to their heart's content.

Because there are hot springs, a park golf course, and a campsite nearby, this park is always bustling with people.
This is a refreshing natural spot where you can soak up plenty of negative ions and experience the essence of Hokkaido.

[Famous Water Plaza]
Address: 45-1 Kawanishi, Kyogoku-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Telephone number: 0136-42-2292
Closed: New Year's holidays (December 31st to January 2nd)
営業時間：(４～10月) 10:00～18:00 (LO 16:50)、(11～ 3月) 10:30～17:00 (LO 16:30)

"Yusui no Sato Meisui Tofu" is located on the opposite side of Mount Yotei from "Fukidashi Park," which I mentioned earlier.

There is also a space on this property where you can draw spring water from Mount Yotei.

"Meisui Tofu" sells handmade tofu made with spring water from Mount Yotei.

They offer a wide variety of products, including tofu, fried tofu, tofu donuts, and warabi mochi, as well as many unusual varieties such as edamame tofu and yam tofu.

At the tasting corner, you can sample almost all of the products, which is great because you can try different types of tofu and choose your favorite.

[Spring Water Village Famous Water Tofu]
Address: 217-1 Mori, Makkari Village, Abuta District, Hokkaido
Telephone number: 0136-48-2636
営業時間：8:00～18:00（4～10月)、8:30～17:00（11～3月)
Closed on Tuesdays

A slightly off-the-beaten-path spot that's popular with older people is the "Takashi Hosokawa Memorial Statue."
As fans may already know, Makari Village is the hometown of Takashi Hosokawa.

This statue was erected to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Makari Village, and the surrounding area has been beautifully maintained as a park.
The statue stands there all alone, so it might feel a little lonely.

When you touch the handprint sensor on this commemorative statue, one of Takashi Hosokawa's signature songs plays at a fairly loud volume.
The music by Takashi Hosokawa playing from the memorial statue with Mount Yotei in the background seems to be popular with fans.

Please note that we do not sing during the winter months.

Nearby, at the roadside station "Makkari Flower Center," there is a "Takashi Hosokawa Exhibition Corner" where many stage costumes and trophies are on display. This is a must-visit spot for fans.

[Takashi Hosokawa Memorial Statue]
Address: Makkari, Makkari Village, Abuta District, Hokkaido (in Makkari River Park)

Photo by Wikipedia/Him56

The "230 Rusutsu" roadside station, located along National Route 230, is perfectly situated as a rest stop when traveling from Sapporo towards southern Hokkaido.
With its spacious parking lot and location offering panoramic views of Mount Yotei, this roadside station truly embodies the essence of Hokkaido.

The farmers' market is always bustling with people, offering a wide variety of fresh vegetables harvested locally.
Next door is "Rusutsu Furusato Park," which has a playground and a grassy area where children can have fun.

[Roadside Station "230 Rusutsu"]
Address: 127 Rusutsu, Rusutsu Village, Abuta District
Telephone number: 0136-47-2068
営業時間：直売所：9:00～18:00(4月～10月)、9:00～17:00(11月～3月)
Restaurant: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (April - October), 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (November - March)
Closed: New Year's holidays (December 31st to January 3nd)

Photo courtesy of Toyako Town

"Toya Water Station" is located on the opposite side of Lake Toya from Toyako Onsen.
Located on the shores of Lake Toya, this is the perfect place to gather information about sightseeing in the surrounding area, as it has plenty of tourist information and brochures about Lake Toya.

Leaving the building leads to the lakeside, a very pleasant location on a sunny day.
There's also a direct sales store here that sells fresh vegetables, fruits, and rice grown locally.

Also, restaurants serving "Sanuki udon" (udon noodles delivered directly from Sanuki) are quietly gaining popularity.
There are also local specialties such as "shiso juice" made with red shiso from Lake Toya, so why not give them a try?

While Wakasaimo Honpo's "Hokkaido Jagakki" has recently gained popularity, "Wakasaimo" remains their classic product.
My top recommendation is "imoten," which is made by deep-frying "wakasaimo" (a type of sweet potato).

It's difficult to find this product in stores, even in Sapporo or at New Chitose Airport, so even people in Hokkaido don't often get to buy it. However, I personally think it's the best product in the Wakasaimo line.
When you eat it, be sure to warm it up in the oven.
It tastes significantly better than eating it as is.

Here at our Toyako main store, we have a "sweet potato tempura demonstration corner," so if you see freshly made, piping hot sweet potato tempura available for tasting, don't hesitate to try it. You'll likely be surprised by its deliciousness and end up buying some.

The first floor houses a confectionery corner offering Japanese and Western sweets, as well as a cafe and shop. The second floor features the "Sendoan Japanese Restaurant." From the glass windows, you can enjoy a magnificent view of Lake Toya.

[Wakasaimo Honpo Toyako Main Store]
Address: 144 Toyako Onsen, Toyako-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Telephone number: 0142-75-4111
Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 19:00 PM *Subject to change depending on the season

<Conclusion>

We've introduced a sightseeing route from Sapporo to Lake Toya, but there are many other sightseeing spots to enjoy around Lake Toya, so please also refer to this article, " Want to go by car? A roundup of recommended sightseeing spots around Lake Toya !", to fully enjoy your trip to Lake Toya.

Lake Toya is hosting the "Lake Toya Long-Run Fireworks Festival," which is being held for the 35th time this year.

This year, from April 28th to October 31st, fireworks will be launched over Lake Toya every day for 20 minutes starting around 8:45 PM, and can be enjoyed from anywhere along the shore of Lake Toya.
Even if you're not staying at Toyako Onsen, you can still see it if your timing is right, so if you're visiting the area, why not go and see it?

*If you were to travel from Sapporo city to Lake Toya and visit all the sightseeing spots mentioned in this article, the distance would be approximately 140km and the driving time would be approximately 3 hours.

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