Winter Activities: December - April
Winter in Hokkaido is heavenly for those who love snow, pure & clean nature, and a feeling of stark wilderness. Winter visitors to Hokkaido can experience stunning snow-covered landscapes, looming frozen mountains, ubiquitous wildlife, plentiful hot springs, impeccable seafood and other local cuisine, world-famous winter festivals and of course, some of the best powder conditions in the world for skiers and snowboarders. 

Take a look at our Winter Activities page below.  The powerful impressions you'll have of visiting Hokkaido during the winter months will last you a lifetime!

Winter Sightseeing

Our English speaking guides will accompany you to the best sightseeing spots in Hokkaido from the comfort of private vehicles to visit temples, museums, zoos, aquariums, farms, distilleries and anywhere else you may want to go.
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Half-day to multi-day sightseeing tours are available all over Hokkaido.. Visit the Winter Sightseeing page to learn more about the top activities offered in the winter season.
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Time of Year: December - April
Fitness Level: All levels

Winter Gourmet

Hokkaido's cuisine is famous throughout Japan and across Asia. Come with us on a Gourmet Tour to sample the best seafood, beef, lamb, Genghis Khan, soft cream, dessert houses, cafes, farms and many more great spots.
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We visit local restaurants, famous establishments, homestead farms and wholesale markets - all according to your taste and budget.

Available across Hokkaido throughout the year.  

Winter Festivals 

There are great festivals at all times of the year in Hokkaido, especially in winter. Gaze in awe at the massive sculptures during Sapporo's Snow Festival; Crawl through an ice-labyrinth at Lake Shikotsu; Stroll along Otaru's romantically candle-lit canal by night or be blown away by Sounkyo Gorge's Fire and Ice Festival.
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If you're interested in experiencing a Japanese festival, we will  find one that matches your tour schedule.

Time of Year: December - April

Hot Springs  

Few experiences are as iconic to Japan as a long soak in a hot spring, and none are more relaxing. We are veritable connoisseurs of Hokkaido's hot springs offerings: Small ryoukans, large hotels, "wild" hot springs, foot baths and even onsen waterfalls are just some of the hot springs available in Hokkaido.  

Time of Year: All year
Fitness Level: All levels

Daisetsuzan National Park: Winter Activities  

Daisetsuzan National Park is Japan's largest, and a visit here in winter is to step into a winter wonderland of epic proportions. The near constant snowfall, rugged terrain and dizzying heights are a blast of winter unlike anywhere else in Hokkaido. 
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Popular winter activities include ropeways, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, frozen waterfalls, backcountry and resort skiing & snowboarding, hot springs and more. We highly recommend making Daisetsuzan National Park a part of your Custom-Made Tour! 
 
Time of Year: All year
Fitness Level: All levels

Snowshoeing

Whether climbing a high-peak, counting frozen waterfalls or snowshoeing in powder along a volcanic crater rim, we offer all levels of snowshoeing tours. You'll be guided into the great snowy outdoors with utmost safety precautions and customized service to match your desires with your abilities. 

Combining snowshoeing with skiing, snowboarding, dog-sledding, ice-fishing or a hot springs will give you a great taste of winter in Hokkaido.

Time of Year: December - May
Fitness Level: All levels

Ice Fishing 

Experience the pleasure of ice-fishing on a serene frozen lake or river while sipping Japanese sake and chatting with friends. Once you catch a smelt fish, it goes directly on the grill for a classic Hokkaido culinary experience. Combine that with some sake and friends for a great day out.    

Time of Year: Late December - March
Fitness Level: All levels

Winter Wildlife & Zoos

Although it may be difficult to spot Hokkaido's wildlife in the summer, the winter season can nearly guarantee sightings of whooper swans, red-crowned cranes, Steller's sea eagles and ezo deer. With luck, you may see a Blakiston's Fish Owl or one of the five varieties of seals that inhabit the Sea of Okhotsk region.
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There are also bear parks, zoos where you can walk with penguins, and cool aquariums where one can become familiar with the region's fauna.      

Time of Year: December - April
Fitness Level: All levels

Resort Skiing & Snowboarding

Our English speaking guides have been shredding at Hokkaido's best resorts for years, and we know all the best in-bound and side-country runs. A definite must-have experience for lovers of the deep, deep powder. 

We cater to all levels from beginners to cliff-hucking Go-Pro riders. 

Time of Year: December - April 
Fitness Level: All levels

Drift Ice & Boat Excursions

The Sea of Okhotsk coast in northeastern Hokkaido is the world's southernmost place to experience the phenomena of arctic drift ice. Walk out on the thick slabs of sea-ice as they crunch and crackle under your feet, or sail aboard an icebreaker ferry for a unique sea experience you've never had before.

Closer to Sapporo, you can join a fishing or sightseeing tour of Shakotan Penninsula from the nearby Otaru Port. Gaze at the gorgeous coastal formations and spot fish in the clear blue waters of the Sea of Japan.       

Time of Year: Boating all year; Drift ice mid-January - mid-March depending on conditions
Fitness Level: All levels

Dogsledding

Dogsledding is one of Hokkaido's top winter activities, offering the thrill of mushing with a pack of mixed-husky dogs leading the charge! Dogsledding operators run their dogs on fixed-tracks so you will feel at ease the entire time. The dogs are well-trained and adorable. Get ready for some priceless photo-ops if you choose to add this activity to your tour.        

Time of Year: Late December - Late April
Fitness Level: All levels

Snowmobiling

Snowmobile operators offer a wide array of snowmobiling experiences - from 10 minute course rides to adrenaline filled, 1500 meter mountain peak climbs. There are various operators across Hokkaido so this activity can easily be included in any tour.         

Time of Year: December - April
Fitness Level: All levels

Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding

Experience the winter mountains with the silence of nature replacing the whirl of chairlifts. Skiing and snowboarding in Hokkaido is so much more than just the resorts, so come and feel the adrenaline of reaching a frozen peak and riding back down through virgin forests and open glades! Our backcountry guides are avalanche certified and have intimate knowledge of our backcountry routes. With a "safety first" approach, we choose only the safest destinations and never head out in risky conditions. 

Time of Year: January - May 
Fitness Level: Medium - High

Crafts, Culture & Cooking

Want to try a new craft, learn about Japanese culture or how to cook a typical Hokkaido meal? Our Craft, Culture & Cooking Courses offer a wide variety of activities all over Hokkaido, including: soba noodle making, glass blowing, ceramic arts, wooden crafts, kimono ​fitting, tea ceremony, Japanese calligraphy, pounding rice into mochi, sausage making, sheep shearing and much more.

Time of Year: All year
Fitness Level: All levels

Winter Hot Air Ballooning

Winter is the only season in Hokkaido with free-flight hot air ballooning, and our two favorite locations are in Furano (December to April) and Abashiri (drift ice viewing, late January to early March). Take a 30-45 minute flight to experience the majestic feeling of quietly crossing the skies, with spectacular mountain or sea views in every direction. Flights cost between 14,000-20,000 yen per person. 
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Time of Year: December - April
Fitness Level: All levels