Traveling to Hokkaido in winter? Then you must try some of these 11 crazy fun winter activities.
If you want more ideas for your winter trip, check out this 7-day winter Hokkaido itinerary and my Winter Hokkaido Travel Planner - lots of destination guides and tips.
Let’s dive in!
Table of content
- Swimming in a frozen sea (Shiretoko)
- Discover Ice Diving (Shiretoko)
- Get on an Icebreaker ship (Abashiri & Monbetsu)
- Natural outdoor onsen with wild swans (Lake Kussharo)
- Go wild with banana boat on a frozen lake (Akan)
- Hunt the magical jewelry ice (Toyokoro)
- Say hi to monkeys soaking in onsen (Hakodate)
- Try a Dog Sledding Tour (Tokachi)
- Adventure with Snow Trekking (Lake Shikotsu)
- Fly with Snowkiting (Niseko)
- Ride on Snowbiking adventures (Niseko)
This post contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission to enjoy a cup of coffee on my trip☕
Swimming in a frozen sea (Shiretoko)
I bet this is something you have never imagined to do - swimming in a frozen ocean. Yes, it’s possible! In Utoro, a small port town on the Shiretoko Peninsula in Eastern Hokkaido, you can join drift ice walk tours that provide you with necessary cold-proof gear and jump in the slushy frozen sea between the drift ice.
What is drift ice? They are huge blocks of sea ice that come all the way from Russia's Amur River and fill up Hokkaido’s eastern coast every winter. It is nature’s beautiful magic that you can see only here. The best time to enjoy drift ice is from mid-February to early March.
>>> Book a tour here
Information
Access: From Memanbetsu Airport, around 2 hours by car or an airport liner bus
Where to stay in Shiretoko
Kita Kobushi Shiretoko Hotel & Resort
⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 👀 Beautiful View
Located right in front of Utoro Port, offering deluxe room options with a private open-air hot spring.Hotel Kifu Club Shiretoko
⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🛁Private Onsen, 🍴 Great Meals
A cozy family-run onsen hotel with an ocean viewRoute Inn Grantia Shiretoko Shari Ekimae
⭐3 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🍴Breakfast Buffet Available
An affordable stay near JR Shari station with a natural hot spring and free breakfast
📍Pick up
Looking for a cozy hotel where you feel connected with a warm-hearted owner? Then Sekka Shiretoko is a perfect place to stay for you. You will meet your aunty in Hokkaido!
Discover Ice Diving (Shiretoko)
Here’s another way (that’s more extreme) to enjoy drift ice. The ice diving tour offers a walk on ice to reach the entry hole into the sea, and you will be diving with ropes attached, around 30 metres. The depth is only about 5 to 6 metres, so it is a rather shallow dive to ensure safety. The dive will last for about 20 minutes.
There are also some rare creatures that you can only encounter when diving. For example, sea angels (clione) is a tiny creature that is famous in Hokkaido for its cuteness. This dive will open you to explore the beautiful winter life in Hokkaido, making it an experience you will never forget.
>> 3-day winter Shiretoko itinerary without a car
Information
Access: From Memanbetsu Airport, around 2 hours by car or an airport liner bus
Get on an icebreaker ship (Abashiri & Monbetsu)
If you are looking for an easier way to experience the drift ice, this is a must-try activity during the season. Icebreaker ships sail the ocean while breaking drift - this is something you can only see from the ships here in Hokkaido.
I will share with you two icebreaker ships in Eastern Hokkaido. While they operate from late January to mid March, but you should aim for the peak season of drift ice between mid February to early March.
Aurora in Abashiri
The Aurora is the major attraction in winter in Abashiri and it’s easily accessible by public transportation from Mamanbetsu Airport. The ship can accommodate up to 450 passengers and has a big terrace area where you can enjoy watching drift ice outside. Booking is not required but recommend, especially the peak season of drift ice.
>> 3-day winter Abashiri itinerary without a car
Information
Access: 10 min by bus from JR Abashiri station, or 40 min from Memanbetsu Airport by car or bus
Where to stay in Abashiri
- Hokuten no Oka Abashiriko Tsuruga Resort
⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🍴Great Buffet
A relaxing onsen resort hotel featuring Ainu art in its well-designed interior - Kagariya
⭐3 stars, 🛁Private Hot Spring, 🍴Local Food Dining
An onsen ryokan with a lake view, offering seafood Kaiseki dinner and breakfast. - Dormy Inn Abashiri
⭐3 stars, 🏢Excellent Location, ♨️Hot Spring
A budget business hotel with 7-eleven nearby
Garinko in Monbetsu
While the Aurora pushes and breaks the ice with its own weight, the Garinko moves forward while drilling into the drift ice with two big drills equipped in its front - it’s super cool!
I like the Garinko better than the Aurora as Monbetsu usually tends to have more drift ice than Abashiri. Sunrise and sunset cruises are amazing and unique to the Garinko. It’s also less crowded, because the ship itself is smaller, many tourists go to Abashiri due to easier access from Memanbetsu Airport. But if you have time to come a bit further, visit Monbetsu.
There are other winter attractions near the dock too: Okhotsk Tower (underwater observatory) and seal protection center. For the Garinlo, booking is required as the tours take place only when they have at least 10 passengers.
Information
Access: By public transportation - 20 min by bus from Mombetsu Bus Terminal to Okhotsk Tower + 10 min walk
By car - 10 min from Mombetsu city center
Natural outdoor onsen with wild swans (Lake Kussharo)
Taking onsen while watching wild swans… this sounds crazy, doesn’t it? At the lakeside of Lake Kussharo, a natural outdoor hot spring, Kotan Onsen is open for free anytime. And while enjoying the dip, you can see wild swans in the lake from early November to early April. They fly to Lake Kussharo from Russia to spend “warmer” winter here in Hokkaido.
Note that Kotan Onsen is completely public and without a reception or a changing room. There’s no separation between men and women in the tub. This might sound wild to some, but the simplicity is what keeps this community-run local onsen spot sustainable.
Even though you don’t fancy the idea of mixed-gender onsen, you can still come to Lake Kussharo to watch the swans. I also like visiting the lake side just to greet them.
Information
Access: By public transportation - One hour by bus from JR Kawayu Onsen
By car - One hour from Shari, 1.5 hours from KitamiFee: free
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Instant download in digital format (PDF).
Go wild with banana boat on a frozen lake (Akan)
Lake Akan is one of my favorite destinations for winter outings since my childhood. The lake gets frozen in winter and offers a winter wonderland on its icy surface. There are a variety of fun winter activities - banana boat, snowmobile, ice fishing and more.
Depending on the condition of the lake ice, these activities are available from mid-January to the end of March. If you are staying in Akan overnight, which I recommend as there are many nice onsen hotels, don’t forget to check out fireworks over the frozen lake taking place around 8 pm every day during February.
>> 3-day winter Akan itinerary without a car
Information
Access: One hour by car or bus from Kushiro Airport and JR Kushiro Station
Fee: 500 JPY per adult, 300 JPY per child
Where to stay in akan
Tsuruga Besso Hinanoza
⭐4 stars, 🛁Private Hot Spring, 🍷Fine Dining
All 25 rooms come with a private hot spring with a beautiful lake view. Dinner features fresh local and seasonal ingredients.Akan No Mori Tsuruga Resort Hana Yuuka
⭐4 stars, 🍴Great Buffet, ♨️Hot Spring
A cozy lake-side onsen hotel offering delicious buffet meals with various options.Hotel Gozensui
⭐3 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 👀 Beautiful View
A classic Japanese-style onsen hotel overlooking the lake.
Hunt the magical jewelry ice (Toyokoro)
This is another special thing in Hokkaido. In a coastal town called Toyokoro, you can find a magical creation of the nature - Jewelry Ice. During mid-January to late February, large chunks of crystal ice from the Tokachi River are washed and polished by the ocean waves until they shine like jewels and reach the beach.
The best time to see is at sunrise, when the sunshine transforms the ice into sparkling gems, glowing in shades of gold, pink, and blue. Make sure to layer up and stay warm as winter early morning on a windy beach is really, really cold. But the beautiful jewelry ice make your trip worth it!
Information
Access: one hour from Obihiro, an hour and half from Kushiro, 4 hours from Sapporo by car
Fee: free
Say hi to monkeys soaking in onsen (Hakodate)
I’m sure you’ve seen these photos online: monkeys with a dreamy face indulging in a hot spring in Japan. Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden is one of the spots where you can witness this famous scene in person! From December to early May every year, monkeys here get to enjoy warm natural onsen that is directly sourced from the underground.
The botanical garden itself is compact and takes about 30 min to walk around. There are exhibitions on tropical plants, insects, birds and fishes. This could be a fun place to visit for kids if you’re around in Hakodate.
If you are starting or ending your Hokkaido trip in Hakodate, consider taking Shinkansen, Japan’s famous bullet train to travel from or to Tokyo.
Information
Access: 15 min walk from a tram stop Yunokawa, or 15 min by Hakodate bus No. 95 or 96 from JR Hakodate station, get off at Nettai Shokubutsuen mae (Botanical garden)
Fee: 300 JPY per person
Where to stay in Hakodate
Century Marina
⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🍴Great Breakfast
A high-end hotel with an infinity outdoor onsen and a high-quality breakfast buffet. Great access to the major tourist attractions in the town.Hakodate Kokusai Hotel
⭐4 stars, 🍴Great Breakfast, ✨Modern Design
A mid-range hotel with onsen and seafood breakfast buffetTokyu Stay
⭐3 stars, 🏢Excellent Location, ♨️Hot Spring
All rooms have a laundry machine & microwave, offer a breakfast ticket for the morning market
Useful Resources
✨Planning a winter trip? Check out my Winter Hokkaido Travel Planner
✨Traveling to Eastern Hokkaido? Grab my Eastern Hokkaido Travel Planner
✨Stuck in your trip planning? Ask for my Local Expert Advice
Try a Dog Sledding Tour (Tokachi)
Ever heard of dog sledding? Mr. Takita is the owner and musher (dog driver) of a dog sledding tour in Tokachi. Ever since he was little, Mr. Takita had the dream of living with dogs as well as the passion of dog sports. He takes great care and love for his Alaskan Huskies, which are a mixed breed between Huskies, Pointers, and Northern breeds specialized in pulling and having high speed.
The team makes trails by themselves, with some as long as 12 km. The paths are constructed in detail, so that the tour can pass along ancient snowfields, conifer trees and beautiful rivers. And don’t worry, during the tour, the team will take photographs and videos of you to take home as memories.
The tour is a completely private one, limited to one group at a time. You can choose from two tour styles, either a 12km one lasting 2 hours, or 6 km in 1 hour. The prices may differ depending on which season or time you visit, so make sure to check the website! All information is available in English. The 2024-2025 tour will start from December 21st.
Information
Access: By public transport, take the bus 51 to Urimaku Nishi Jutaku-mae, or by 40 minutes by car from central Obihiro.
Adventure with Snow Trekking (Lake Shikotsu)
From around December, Hokkaido starts its snow and soon the forests are covered in beautiful white colours. Shichijo waterfall is one of the most mesmerising spots near Lake Shikotsuko, which is one of my favourite places to visit with my family during the winter. This waterfall is around a 16 metre drop, where it becomes frozen in the winter, making it a breathtaking landscape.
The trekking tour is 2 hours, where you can choose to go by yourself, or even more than 10 people (but make sure to reserve beforehand). Since it’s not an easy trekking tour considering conditions and walking on snow, make sure to be in a healthy state before deciding to go. The tour will start from around the end of December to the middle of March.
Information
Access: 30 minute by car from central Chitose
Fee: 7,000 JPY per person if applied with 2 people, or 10,000 by yourself
Where to stay IN Lake Shikotsu
Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Bessou AO no ZA
⭐4 stars, 💖Luxury Stay, 👀 Beautiful View
A stunning onsen hotel located next to the serene Lake Shikotsu, offering open-air private onsen for all rooms.Shikotsuko Onsen Lake Side Villa SUIMEIKAKU
⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 👩❤️👨For Couple
Known for its high-quality, smooth hot spring water, the hotel offers an in-room onsen for all 8 guest rooms. An outdoor private onsen is also available.Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizu no Uta
⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🧡Amazing Hospitality
A modern wellness onsen resort offering a healthy buffet, fitness room and sauna.
Fly with Snowkiting (Niseko)
Snowkiting is a recent sport that has been attracting more and more people's attention, especially in Europe. Your whole body will be guided by the wind, almost feeling at one with nature. This place offers snowkiting levels for beginners as well as higher, so everyone is welcome to join!
They also offer the option to control your kite with either skis or snowboards, so you have the freedom to choose the sport you’re comfortable with. You also have the option to book your tour with the company you prefer, which is written in the link below.
The tour will offer gears such as helmets and harnesses, but also with the option to share your kites with your friends, so that you can save on your tour price. It can be said that it will take 1 to 3 days for intermediate level skiers and snowboarders to get started with this sport. Get immersed in Hokkaido’s beautiful nature by feeling the very wind lift your body!
Information
Access: 2 hours by car or 3 hours by bus from Sapporo
Fee: Beginner lesson 10,800 JPY, Step-up lesson 21,600 JPY
Ride on Snowbiking adventures (Niseko)
Speaking of snowkiting, do you also know snowbiking? This tour offers an adventure to bike and ride through Hokkaido’s famous powder snow. If you already enjoy or have knowledge on snow bikes, the version they offer are 2016 models from 2KTM, which is a kind of mix with motocrosses. Group tours of maximum 5 people are available, but you can also enjoy a private tour.
What’s more, they also include pick-up from your accommodation in the prices. Whether you’re looking for a new challenge or simply enjoy winter sports, I think that this snowbiking tour will be an unforgettable experience.
Information
Access: 2 hours by car or 3 hours by bus from Sapporo
Fee: 69,000 JPY per person for a group tour
THAT’S ALL!
Hope now you are pumped for these crazy fun winter activities in Hokkaido! If you like this article, join my Hokkaido Travel Newsletter to receive more tips & local news exclusive to my subscribers.
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