4 Snow Tours in Japan That Earn the Train Fare

1.Full Day Private Skiing / Snowboarding Tour in Sapporo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $230Our pick

Spend 6 to 8 hours skiing or snowboarding near Sapporo with a private guide, choosing Sapporo Kokusai or Bankei slopes. Guide Tomo helps with transport, gear arrangements, lessons, and slope logistics before taking you to Hoheikyo Onsen. Rental equipment, clothing, gloves, and dinner are optional extras.

“It was a fun and memorable trip for us. Our booking and travel was smooth and we are very pleased to meet our guide Tomo. He is fun to be with and he even accompanied us to our first ski experience in Sapporo. We will definitely recommend this to our friends.Hope to be back again soon…”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

2.Snowshoe Hike Tour from Sapporo include hotel p/up & drop off

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $308

Sumi and Taki of Hokkaido Private Adventure take you from your Sapporo hotel to Nakayama Pass for a beginner-friendly, two-hour snowshoe hike. Gear, tea, local snacks, transport, and Hoheikyo Onsen admission are included. Bring money for lunch in Jozankei and expect a seven-hour winter outing.

“The whole experience was amazing. Sumi was the best guide knowledgeable, very outgoing and experienced guide. As a 76 year old Nanna, I found sliding and sledging down the slopes was exhilarating and my granddaughters had a blast. Read more”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

3.3.5hours Primeval Forest Snowshoe hike and Wildlife Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $55Best value

Spend 3.5 hours exploring Shiretoko’s primeval forest with a small group of up to eight. Your guide follows animal-made paths to the frozen Tears of Man waterfall, reading tracks in the snow and watching for Ezo Sika Deer and Ezo Red Foxes. Snowshoes are used when conditions allow. Pickup is offered, and the tour returns to Utoro-Shirietoku Roadside Rest Area.

“Please be ready early. Maybe 10 minutes before the agreed pick up time, it would be best if you were already ready and waiting to be picked up. We were part of a small group. The tour provider will pick up everybody from different (but nearRead more”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

4.Snowshoe Adventures and Onsen Bliss Winter Escape in Furano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $78

Join local guide Ikki for a small-group snowshoe outing near Furano, with English support through a translation device. Walk through deep snow at 1,000 meters, look for fox tracks, and finish at Hakuginso Onsen. Morning and nighttime tours are available. Pickup, snowshoes, photos, and winter gear are included, while the onsen costs ¥700 extra.

“Great winter activity that’s not snowboarding/skiing! Beautiful landscape that was taken in at a leisurely pace. Would absolutely recommend doing the Onsen afterwards, great way to warm up after walking around in the snow. Our guide Ikki was very friendly and knowledgeable about the area”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →