The Oriental White Stork Park is in the middle of rice paddies near some mountains. It is a bird sanctuary, college research facility, stork museum, and tourist attraction (gift shops). Once found all over Japan, the Oriental white stork ("kounotori" in Japanese) became extinct in the wild in Japan in 1971 despite preservation efforts since 1955. Toyooka was where the last living Oriental white stork in Japan died in 1986. This park leads Japan's efforts to reintroduce the Oriental white stork back into the wild. Open: 9:00 am–5:00 pm, closed Mondays (open if a national holiday and closed the next day instead), December 28th–January 4th.

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Kinosaki Onsen is only 10 min. away by train from Toyooka Station. It's one of the best onsen I've ever visited in Japan. It's picturesque, and the main highlight are the seven public hot spring baths (sotoyu 外湯). Lots to see and do. All the attractions are within walking distance from Kinosaki Onsen Station. Compact hot spring town.

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Izushi was a town that merged with Toyooka. It's famous for this Meiji Era Shinkoro clock tower (taiko drum on the top), Izushi Castle, and Izushi Soba noodles. Short bus ride from JR Toyooka Station. This area is also a National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区).

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Also in Izushi is Eirakukan theater, the Kansai Region's oldest kabuki theater built in 1901. Open to the public. You are free to walk on the hanamichi, stage, dressing rooms, and even the basement where you can see the rotating stage. It's in Izushi's National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区).

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Within walking distance from JR Toyooka Station are shopping streets and Caban Street lined with bag shops. Toyooka is a major producer of bags.

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