Getting to Rusutsu from Lake Toya in March by Bus

Are you thinking of heading over to Rusutsu from Lake Toya for some epic skiing or snowboarding? Great choice!

Here’s a friendly guide from Lake Toya to Rusutsu to make your journey smooth and enjoyable.

Route from Lake Toya

There’s no train from Lake Toya to Rusutsu, so, there are 2 choices: renting a car or taking the bus.

At first, I didn’t know what to do & how to book the bus because there’s not a lot of post online talking about this. However, at the end, I took the bus and it was quite easy & straightforward!

The route from Lake Toya to Rusutsu is quite scenic. We drove north with Lake Toya on our right side. The bus ride takes around 1 – 1.5 hour.

It’s still wintery in March, with snow-covered fields and mountains. The roads are generally well-maintained though, but always check the weather and road conditions before you go.

Taking the Bus

I did not rent a car so I’m going to share my story about taking the bus from Lake Toya to Rusutsu. Bus is a convenient and stress-free way to travel from Lake Toya to Rusutsu.

Here’s what you need to know before taking the bus to Rusutsu:

Pre-Booking Your Bus Ticket

*_{View of the resort from the bus stop}*

One of the best options is the Donan Bus service, which operates routes connecting Lake Toya to Rusutsu.

You can pre-book your tickets online, or, you can also ask the hotel receptionist to help you book. The latter, however, is not recommended during high season. Make sure you know where you need to get on and off the bus before booking the ticket.

I stayed in Lake Toya View Nonokaze Resort at Lake Toya. One of the staffs helped me book the bus ticket to and from Rusutsu. The bus stop for Rusutsu was right across the resort. Issa great location! 🥰

Bus ride

Our bus ride started from the bus stop across the hotel (中央通 or Chuodori), stopping briefly at Toyako Onsen Bus Terminal, and then onwards to Rusutsu.

You need to have a reservation for the bus or you won’t be allowed to board.

You can pay for the ticket to the bus driver when you have arrived at your destination.

Make sure to check the latest timetable online or at the local tourist information center at the hotel, as schedules can vary, especially in winter.

The buses are well-maintained and comfortable. You can sit back, relax, and enjoy the snowy Hokkaido landscapes.

Arriving in Rusutsu

I stayed in Rusutsu Resort Hotel & Convention, where the bus stop is located right by the main entrance. Again, this is another great hotel to choose when in Rusutsu (based on how convenient the access is from public transport).

p.s. they’re a ski-in and ski-out resort, so it’s very convenient!!

Heading Back to JR TOYA STATION

For our return trip, we wanted to get to Toya Station right away, instead of returning back to the Lake Toya resort.

Therefore, our final stop for the Donan bus ride from Rusutsu Resort Hotel & Convention is Toyako Onsen Station.

From Toyako Onsen Station, we would then have to take a 15-20 minute local bus ride to get to JR Toya Station. Purchasing the local bus ticket was straightforward, you can get it at the ticket machine, ask the staffs in the terminal, or pay at the bus.

Or, another hassle-free way is to get a taxi ride from Toyako Onsen Bus Terminal to JR Toya Station, it will take around 11 minute trip. But of course, costing more at about ¥3000.

Pricing

❄️ Donan bus from Chuodori to Rusutsu Resort: ¥1170.

❄️ Donan bus from Rusutsu Resort to Toyako Onsen Bus Terminal: ¥1170.

❄️ Local bus from Toyako Onsen Bus Terminal to JR Toya Station: ¥340.

Other Tips

💛 Some resorts may offer shuttle to and from Sapporo or other areas. Always check with the resort beforehand so you can save more time.

💛 Dress warmly; March can still be quite cold, so layer up!

💛 If you’re not renting a car, choosing a hotel at a walking distance to the bus stop is highly recommended! Especially during winter, you don’t want to be dragging your suitcases on the snowy road. Lake Toya View Nonokaze Resort and Rusutsu Hotel & Convention are great choices ☺️

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So, there you have it! Getting to Rusutsu from Lake Toya in March is a straightforward and scenic journey, whether you’re driving or taking the bus.

Enjoy the adventure and happy travel! If you have any other tips or wanted to share your experiences, go ahead and comment below 💛