Old townSnow · Drift Ice · Rime Ice
Winter Scenery in Hokkaido
The best snow and winter scenery in Hokkaido, with typical seasons, illuminations, access and cold-weather tips.
Calendar
Winter Scenery Calendar
Sorted by when the season usually starts. Snow scenery begins around December; drift ice and frozen waterfalls are best from late January through February.
Early Nov
- Otaru Canal in Winter(Early Nov – Late Jan)
Early Dec
- Hoshino Resorts Tomamu Frost Tree Terrace(Early Dec – Early Apr)
Mid Dec
- Shirogane Blue Pond & Shirahige Falls (Winter Illumination)(Mid Dec – Late Mar)
Early Jan
- Hachimanzaka Slope in Winter (Motomachi, Hakodate)(Early Jan – Late Feb)
- Tsurui Red-crowned Cranes (Tsurumidai & Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary)(Early Jan – Late Feb)
- Goryokaku Park & Goryokaku Tower in Winter(Early Jan – Late Feb)
- Frozen Lake Akan (Lake Akan in Winter)(Early Jan – Late Mar)
Mid Jan
- Jewelry Ice (Otsu Beach, Toyokoro)(Mid Jan – Late Feb)
Late Jan
- Jozankei Onsen Snow Scenery & Yukitoro(Late Jan – Early Feb)
- Abashiri Drift Ice & Aurora Icebreaker(Late Jan – Early Mar)
- Shiretoko Utoro Drift Ice(Late Jan – Early Mar)
- Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan(Late Jan – Mid Mar)
- Notsuke Peninsula Frozen Sea (Hyoheisen)(Late Jan – Mid Mar)
Mid Feb
- Mombetsu Drift Ice & Garinko Icebreaker(Mid Feb – Early Mar)
Hokkaido
Winter Scenery in Hokkaido
Old town
Rime iceHoshino Resorts Tomamu Frost Tree Terrace
Hokkaido ・ Tomamu, Shimukappu
❄ Best season: Early Dec – Early Apr
LakeShirogane Blue Pond & Shirahige Falls (Winter Illumination)
Hokkaido ・ Shirogane, Biei
❄ Best season: Mid Dec – Late Mar
✦ IlluminationNow on
Old townHachimanzaka Slope in Winter (Motomachi, Hakodate)
Hokkaido ・ Hakodate
❄ Best season: Early Jan – Late Feb
✦ Illumination
Park & natureTsurui Red-crowned Cranes (Tsurumidai & Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary)
Hokkaido ・ Tsurui
❄ Best season: Early Jan – Late Feb
CastleGoryokaku Park & Goryokaku Tower in Winter
Hokkaido ・ Hakodate
❄ Best season: Early Jan – Late Feb
✦ Illumination
LakeFrozen Lake Akan (Lake Akan in Winter)
Hokkaido ・ Akan-cho, Kushiro
❄ Best season: Early Jan – Late Mar
Drift ice & frozen lake
Hot spring townJozankei Onsen Snow Scenery & Yukitoro
Hokkaido ・ Jozankei, Minami-ku, Sapporo
❄ Best season: Late Jan – Early Feb
✦ Illumination
Drift ice & frozen lakeAbashiri Drift Ice & Aurora Icebreaker
Hokkaido ・ Abashiri & Shiretoko
❄ Best season: Late Jan – Early Mar
Drift ice & frozen lake
Lake
Drift ice & frozen lakeNotsuke Peninsula Frozen Sea (Hyoheisen)
Hokkaido ・ Notsuke Peninsula, Betsukai
❄ Best season: Late Jan – Mid Mar
Drift ice & frozen lakeSeasons, hours, prices and access are based on official sources such as the spot’s own website, local governments and tourism associations. Winter weather often causes suspensions and road closures, so check the official website before you go.
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