It supplies water to Sapporo city, the capital of Hokkaidō built on the alluvial fan formed by the river.

Jōzankei is a popular attraction with onsen (hot springs) along the upper Toyohira.

From the mountain Oizaridake, the Toyohira River flows northwards into Lake Jōzan (定山湖, Jōzan-ko).

The river flows north and east through the middle of the Toyohira Ward of Sapporo.

As it leaves the urban area it forms the border between Sapporo and Ebetsu before emptying into the Ishikari River.