Ready to escape the hot sun of Hawaii? Try a refreshing trip to snow-covered Hokkaido this winter! Our Hokkaido Snow Tour 2020 is the best way to see this white wonderland, taking guests from Sapporo, with its famous Snow Festival, all the way to eastern Hokkaido and the drift ice of the Sea of Okhotsk. Let’s dive in and see what makes this tour special!

Snowmobiling

Our first unique feature is a snowmobiling experience at Snowmobile Land Sapporo, the largest snowmobile tour operator outside of North America. You’ll practice operating the vehicle in an open area under the guidance of a patient instructor, then the group will make its way into the forest to begin a journey through the snow-filled woods. Each instructor carefully monitors the participants so don’t worry, no previous experience is needed! Everyone can proceed at their own pace, and the trails are groomed and checked for safety each day, making it easy to enjoy your time amidst the trees.

Snowmobile Land Sapporo also offers snow activities, so if you’re tired of exploring the forest you can try sledding, or hang on tight and give snow rafting a whirl.

Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk

What’s better than penguins? Watching them waddle by within feet of your face! Asahiyama Zoo, in Asahikawa, is famous for their collection of penguins that are released for a walk each day during the winter. The animals, along with their human guardians, slowly wander a circular loop that begins and ends at their habitat. The event is immensely popular, with visitors lining up along the route in advance of the start time.

The penguins are free to participate, or not, as they choose, but most days at least several will choose to adventure out and stretch their legs. Make sure you’re there this winter to join in the fun!

Aurora Ice Breaker Cruise

The Sea of Okhotsk lies off the northern coast of Hokkaido, and each winter winds blow drift ice down toward land, making this region the southernmost point in the world where significant sea ice accumulates. While sometimes visible from the shore, you’ll get to see it up close thanks to this ice-breaking ship cruise. Operating out of Abashiri harbor, the strong vessel is designed to safely power through the ice for a one-of-a-kind experience. It also features indoor sitting areas perfect for escaping the chilly ocean wind.

Tsurui-Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary

The Japanese Red-crowned Crane is an iconic bird, thought to represent longevity, loyalty, and good fortune. It is also endangered, and now resides only within Kushiro Wetlands National Park in eastern Hokkaido. During the winter, several feeding stations operate on the Park’s borders, offering the best chance for visitors to see these large, magnificent birds perform their elaborate dances.

The Tsurui-Ito sancutary, operated by the Wild Bird Society of Japan, feeds the wild birds twice daily, and also has exhibits with educational information about the cranes. You can read more about this important institution at their website.

Tokachi “Ice Flowers” Sairinka

While famous winter events like the Sapporo Snow Festival and the Sounkyo Ice Festival are wonderful (see pictures below!), one of the lesser-known but more unique venues is the Sairinka “blooming ice flowers” of the Tokachi region.

Sairinka features hundreds of illuminated structures, creating the feeling of ice flowers stretching across the snowy plain. There is also a laser light and music show, an area serving hot foods and beverages, and even a hot spring bath for your hands. To see more, try watching this video produced by the festival’s organizers.

And lots more!

Our Hokkaido Snow Tour 2020 has many more fantastic attractions, such as:

Multiple nights with toasty hot springs…

The Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival…

Fireworks over frozen Lake Akan…

Fresh, delicious local cuisine every day…

And of course, the world-famous Sapporo Snow Festival!

This tour is custom-designed for residents of Hawaii and offers multiple opportunities for hands-on snow experiences, something not easy to come by in our balmy climate. For a more complete itinerary or any questions, give us a call at 922-2211 or try our website. We hope to see you this winter!