This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through links. I will only recommend products that I have personally used! Learn more on my Private Policy page.
Our family recently took a short but memorable trip from Sapporo to Toyako (Lake Toya), staying at the Toyako Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace. Traveling with kids can sometimes be a challenge, but this trip turned out to be both relaxing and fun for the entire family. Here’s a breakdown of our 1-night stay!
Getting to Toyako from Sapporo
We decided to drive from Sapporo, which took us about two hours. The scenic route offered views of mountains and lush greenery. If you don’t have a car, there are buses and trains available as well. It’s an easy and accessible destination for families looking to escape the city for a night.
Just before arriving, we found little sunflower field:)
Arrival at Toyako Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace
Upon arrival, we were welcomed with a breathtaking view of Lake Toya. The hotel is situated right on the lake, offering unobstructed views of the water and the surrounding mountains. The lobby was spacious, and check-in was smooth, even with the kids running around.
Our Room
We stayed in a Japanese western-style room (wayoshitsu), which turned out to be perfect for our family. The tatami mats made it easy for the kids to run and play around, and the futons were comfortable for everyone. The room was spacious and offered a stunning view of the lake. The kids loved looking out the window and watching the boats go by.
Lake Toya has long run fireworks from April 28th to October 31st this year, every night at 8:45pm for 20 mins. As we got the room with the view of fireworks, we finished our meal and took onsen beforehand, we were already in pjs and there were no hassles to watch fireworks with kids 
Hotel Amenities for Families
The hotel has an array of amenities that are great for families:
Onsen (Hot Springs): The hotel has a large onsen with both indoor and outdoor baths. The outdoor bath was our favorite, as it overlooked the lake.
Kids’ Play Area: Though small, the hotel has a dedicated space for children to play, which kept our little ones entertained while we took a short break.
The hotel has nursing room where they offer free diapers!
At the hotel souvenir store, they offer sweet red bean bun (manjuu) for you to try (free!) which they make at the hotel.
Foot bath with lake view
Dinner and Breakfast Buffet
The hotel offers a buffet-style dinner and breakfast. We opted for the buffet dinner, which had a wide range of dishes, including fresh seafood, Japanese, and Western options. There were plenty of kid-friendly options, like pizza, fried chicken, and sushi. The breakfast was equally impressive, with a variety of Japanese and Western dishes to choose from. The kids especially loved the onigiri which was made in front of you.
Exploring the Area Around Lake Toya
The next morning, we visited the Silo Observatory, located a short drive from the hotel. The observatory provides a panoramic view of Lake Toya and the surrounding volcanic landscape. The kids enjoyed running around the open space and taking in the fresh air.
When we travel in Hokkaido, we pretty much always get ice cream. This time, we did too. We stopped by Lake Hill Farm, the gelato we had was milk tea and chocolate chip flavor, not too sweet, just perfect
There was a goat named Yuki, Yuki-chan:)
Our 1-night stay at Toyako Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace was a perfect escape from the city. The hotel was family-friendly, the natural scenery was beautiful, and the kids had a great time. If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway from Sapporo with children, I highly recommend this hotel.
We left feeling refreshed and with wonderful memories, and the kids are already asking when we can go back!
