Bus Travel Guide from Sapporo to Lake Toya

🚍 Transportation: Convenient and Budget-Friendly Route
✅ Direct Bus: Depart from Sapporo Station's No. 7 "Donan Bus" stop and take the "DONAN BUS" directly to Lake Toya Onsen Station.
Duration: Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes
🎫 One-way fare: 3700 JPY/person
Limited service: Only 4 buses per day ❗ Make sure to book round-trip tickets in advance.

✅ Timetable:
Departure from Sapporo: 7:40, 11:30, 14:20, 16:20
Advance reservation required ❗

🚌 Ticket Purchase Location in Sapporo: Search "Chuo Bus Ticket Centre" on Google Maps. Located in the Nippon Life Sapporo Building, opposite the Hokkaido Government Office. Exit from Sapporo Subway Station's Exit 10. Red container for express bus tickets, green container for Donan Bus tickets to Lake Toya.

🚌 Boarding Location: The boarding point is at the No. 7 bus stop behind the ticket center building. Navigate to "札幌駅前７番のりば" for directions.

✅ Reservation Methods:
1⃣ Online Reservation:
➡️ Visit the Willer Travel website (switch to Simplified Chinese in the top-right corner).
➡️ Select departure location, date, and time, then proceed with payment.
➡️ You'll receive a confirmation email. Save a screenshot or print it out.
(Show the confirmation to the driver before boarding. The driver will check names and passenger count against the reservation list.)
2⃣ On-site Ticket Purchase:
➡️ Tickets may not be available! Payment is cash-only in Japanese yen.

🌳 Must-Visit Spots:
1⃣ Lakeside Observation Deck: Free! On sunny days, the lake reflects Mount Yotei like a mirror, perfect for Instagram-worthy photos.
2⃣ Lake Toya Cruise: ¥1500/person for a 40-minute lake tour, featuring volcanic islands and hot spring steam.
3⃣ Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch: Feed brown bears for a heartwarming experience.

🍜 Food Recommendations:
🔥 Kinryumaru Restaurant: Located near JR Toya Station, offering chewy udon noodles and freshly grilled yakitori.
🍣 Lakeside Sendoan: Average ¥2000/person, enjoy lakeside seating and sashimi platters.
🍦 Wakasaimo Cake Shop: Daifuku ¥430/6 pieces, coffee ¥300, with glass walls offering a chill lake view.