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Winter Scenery · Hokkaido

Jozankei Onsen Snow Scenery & Yukitoro

Jozankei, Minami-ku, SapporoHot spring town❄ Best season: Late Jan – Early Feb✦ Illumination
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Overview

Overview

Jozankei Onsen, Sapporo’s hidden retreat, is a mountain hot spring town with inns lining a gorge. From late January to early February, when the snow is deepest, Yukitoro is held, with handmade snow candles glowing at Jozankei Shrine.

Address
Jozankei Shrine, Jozankei Onsen Higashi 3-chome, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Official website
https://jozankei.jp/
Official website (English) ↗
Peak Time

When to Go

Best seasonLate January to early February, when the snow is deepest
December
January
February

Yukitoro hours may change depending on the weather. See the official website for 2027 event information

Seasons are typical guides. Snow, ice and drift ice depend heavily on each year’s weather.

Highlights

Highlights

At Yukitoro, about 1,000 snow candles handmade by the town’s inns and others light up the grounds of Jozankei Shrine. By day you can look out over the snow-covered gorge from Futami Suspension Bridge or enjoy an outdoor bath with a snow view.

📷 Best views
Jozankei Shrine (Yukitoro venue)

The glow of snow candles lined up in the shrine grounds

Futami Suspension Bridge

A suspension bridge overlooking the snow-covered gorge

Illumination

Illumination & winter lights

Period
Usually late January to early February (Yukitoro; January 27 – February 3 in 2026)

18:00–21:00 in 2026

Admission

Admission & fares

Yukitoro (2026 example)¥500 contribution (high school students and older)

Free for hotel guests with a voucher from their inn

Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓Sidewalks in the hot spring town and the shrine approach ice over easily, so walk in shoes with grip
Access

Getting there

Nearest station / bus stop
  • Jozankei Jinja (Jotetsu Bus)About 1 min on foot
From major stations & airports
  • Sapporo Station: Kappa Liner (reservations required) (About 60 min)
  • Sapporo Station: Subway Namboku Line to Makomanai Station, then transfer to a local bus (About 70 min)
Driving & winter roads
During Yukitoro, use the Jozankei Sports Park parking lot (free, 30 spaces). Spaces are limited, so take public transport
Getting back
  • The Kappa Liner requires reservations, so book your return bus early too
Open in Google Maps ↗
Weather

Temperature & staying warm

Typical temperatures
January normals for Sapporo: high -0.4°C, low -6.4°C (Japan Meteorological Agency). Jozankei, in the mountains, tends to be colder than central Sapporo
What to wear & bring
Yukitoro at night is cold, so wear a down jacket, a hat, gloves and non-slip winter boots
☁ Hokkaido weather by month
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Jozankei Onsen Snow Scenery & YukitoroPR

PRSee more places to stay near Jozankei Onsen Snow Scenery & Yukitoro on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

Events & festivals in Sapporo

February

Sapporo Snow Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually early February (about one week)

2027 (77th): Feb 4 (Thu) – Feb 11 (Thu, holiday), 8 days

May

Sapporo Lilac Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually mid- to late May (about 10 days at the Odori Site, and 2 days on the final weekend at the Kawashimo Site)

June

YOSAKOI Soran Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually Wednesday to Sunday (5 days) in early to mid-June

2027 (36th): Jun 9 (Wed) – Jun 13 (Sun), 5 days

July–August

Sapporo Summer Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late July to mid-August (the beer gardens run for about 4 weeks; Hokkai Bon Odori is held during Obon, and the Susukino Festival for 3 days in early August)

September–October

Sapporo Autumn Fest

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually early to late September, or into early October (about 3 weeks)

2026: Sep 11 – Oct 3 (currently underway)

November–March

Sapporo White Illumination

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late November to mid-March of the following year (the Odori Site runs from late November to December 25)

2026: Opens Nov 20 (Odori Site until Dec 25; Ekimae-dori Site until Feb 11, 2027; Minami 1-jo-dori, Kita 3-jo Plaza, and Sapporo Station South Exit until Mar 14, 2027)

See all events →
Attractions

Attractions in Sapporo

Zoo

Sapporo Maruyama Zoo

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo / Maruyama

Opened in 1951, this is Hokkaido's oldest zoo and is run by the City of Sapporo. Set next to Maruyama Park, its grounds cover about 22 hectares and are home to around 140 species of animals.

Aquarium

AOAO SAPPORO

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo / Tanukikoji

An urban aquarium on the 4th to 6th floors of moyuk SAPPORO, a shopping complex facing the Tanukikoji shopping arcade. Built around the concept "The Wonder of Life: Seeing the Unseen," it serves as a gateway to nature in the middle of the city and stays open until 22:00.

☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
Experience

Shiroi Koibito Park

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

A confectionery theme park attached to the factory of Ishiya, the maker of Shiroi Koibito, a classic Hokkaido souvenir. It offers production line tours, sweets-making experiences, cafés, and shops, and the shops and rose garden can be used without an admission ticket. It's about a 5-minute walk from Miyanosawa Station on the Tozai subway line, making it easy to reach from central Sapporo.

Experience

HOKKAIDO BALLPARK F VILLAGE

Hokkaido ・ Kitahiroshima

A ballpark centered on ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO, home of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, open 365 days a year. On non-game days, you can enter the stadium's outfield area for free and enjoy stadium tours, hot springs, kids' facilities, and restaurants. It's about 17 minutes from Sapporo Station to Kitahiroshima Station on the JR Rapid Airport, then about 5 minutes by shuttle bus from the station.

See all attractions →
Winter Scenery

Winter Scenery in Hokkaido

Old town

Otaru Canal in Winter

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

❄ Best season: Early Nov – Late Jan

✦ Illumination
See all winter scenery spots →

Seasons, 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.

Last checked: 2026-10-06

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