Snowy Fun in Early Winter Hokkaido for Adventure-Seeking Families

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

1. DAY

   01

   New Chitose Airport - Furano

   Welcome to Hokkaido, Japan's Winter Wonderland!

   
   On your first day in snowy Hokkaido, you and your family can focus on getting to know your personal driver and curing your jet lag. After your long flight just have a rest or enjoy the soothing winter scenery from the car window.
   On the way, you can stop and warm up with some Japanese food like ramen noodles or “soup curry”, a real Hokkaido specialty. In the evening you can perhaps pay a visit to the cozy arts and crafts village “Ningle Terrace” and stroll among the gleaming winter lights.

2. DAY

   02

   Furano - Furano

   Fun winter vegetable harvesting for the whole family

   Good morning Hokkaido! After a good night’s sleep, you and your family can dive deep into the local culture with a unique and educational winter activity.
   Did you know that there are vegetables that can not only survive, but actually flourish under the protective cover of snow? Today you will get to explore a local Hokkaido farm, play in the snow and take part in sweet winter cabbage harvesting! After drumming up an appetite enjoying the powdery snow with the locals, you can prepare a nice, warm lunch with some sausages and the winter vegetables you just harvested.

3. DAY

   03

   Furano - Asahikawa

   Snowshoe trekking at a blue waterfall

   

   Biei, a town loved by photographers all around the world, is famous for its stunning countryside landscapes. In addition to enjoying the view of snowy agricultural hills, you can also enter the deep forests of Daisetsuzan National Park from here.
   In winter, the world-famous Biei Blue Pond will be sleeping under a cover of snow, but it is possible to head off for a snowshoe adventure to see the mysterious Blueriver. Make your way in the silent snowy forest among evergreen Christmas trees until you arrive at the waterfall with its vibrant blue shade much like that of the Blue Pond.

4. DAY

   04

   Asahikawa - Asahikawa

   Snowmobile adventure to meet snow monsters

   
   Let’s have a day trip! You will head deeper into the north, all the way to the city of Nayoro. This city located in a basin surrounded by mountains has large differences in temperature around the year. This makes the area an excellent location for cultivating super sweet winter spinach and the ultimate Japanese comfort food: rice.
   After warming yourself up with some sweet spinach hot pot, and “onigiri” rice balls made of local rice, it is time for an adventure! Ride to the top of a mountain with the locals to enjoy the truly breathtaking scenery. The trees here are so heavy with snow, that they look almost like living creatures. The locals call them “snow monsters”! Nayoro is an inland city, but if the sky is clear, you can see all the way to Rishiri island in the northern sea.

5. DAY

   05

   Asahikawa - Asahikawa

   Snow angels at Hokkaido's highest mountain

   
   How about playing in the world-famous Hokkaido powder snow surrounded by untouched nature? Mount Asahidake in Daisetsuzan National Park is the highest mountain in Japan’s northernmost island Hokkaido, which also makes it often the very first place in all of Japan to have snow.
   Our trusted expert guide will take you to the mountain where you can delve into some cool family-friendly winter activities, Keep your eyes open: you have a good chance of seeing some wild animals like squirrels and rabbits fluffy with their winter fur.

   Hokkaido nature: Mount Asahidake

   – 2291 meters (7516 feet) high, Mount Asahidake is the highest mountain in Hokkaido.
   – This active volcano is located in Daisetsuzan National Park (established in 1934).
   – The mountain is popular among hikers in summer and skiers in winter.
   – Being the highest point of Japan’s northernmost island, Mount Asahidake is usually the first place in the whole country to have autumn leaves and snowfall.
   – Unlike in other parts of Japan or southern Hokkaido, evergreens like spruce are common in the national park.

6. DAY

   06

   Asahikawa - Iwamizawa

   Awesome day at a snow activity park

   　　

   This day we have prepared you some winter fun of a different type: Enjoy an action-packed day in a snow activity park in Bibai, complete with a vast selection of intriguing snow activities from speedy snow rafting and snow buggies to the curious snow golf or treasure hunt. After you enjoyed all the snow activities you want, you can come inside and have a hotpot lunch. Hokkaido’s soul food “Ishikari hotpot (cooked salmon and vegetables flavored with miso and butter)” will make you warm. Also rice cake mochi pounding can be done. Please enjoy fresh mochi as your dessert.

7. DAY

   07

   Iwamizawa - Sapporo

   Learn Ninja skills in historic Otaru city

   Before reaching Hokkaido’s largest city Sapporo, why not enjoy a fun day in the charming city of Otaru. This seaside city is famous for its historical canal and merchants’ street full of delightful glass and music box shops. Today you will get your share of some interesting Japanese culture.
   In Otaru you can have fun with some cool indoor activities the kids are sure to enjoy, like learning cool Ninja skills at a local temple or trying out glass blowing in this city renowned for its glassware. As it gets darker, you can stroll around and appreciate the atmospheric winter illuminations along Otaru Canal.

8. DAY

   08

   Sapporo - Sapporo

   Winter illumination displays and the annual German Christmas Market in Sapporo

   
   In December romantic winter illuminations fill Hokkaido’s capital city Sapporo. Today you can appreciate the city of light, shopping and sightseeing at your leisure.
   Until Christmas Day, you can pay a visit to the buzzing German Christmas Market, an annual event held in Sapporo’s central Odori Park. Here you can find cute little Christmas presents or taste some seasonal delicacies with a rich flavor, such as hot wine and chocolate almonds. And if you are lucky you may even meet Santa Claus!

9. DAY

   09

   Sapporo - New Chitose Airport

   Farewell Hokkaido!

   At this point the kids would most likely want to stay here for good, but unfortunately today is the last day of your private Hokkaido tour full of unique winter activities and family fun. There will be a private transfer to the airport, where you may shop for some last-minute souvenirs before heading home. There will be so many neat winter adventures to share with those waiting at home!