Heart of Hokkaido 5 Day
Snowshoeing & Culture Tour
Guided overnight tour from Asahikawafrom
See our other winter tours for current options.
The best picks of cultural and winter outdoors experiences in the Heart of Hokkaido. Join us on a Hokkaido snowshoe tour, visiting Mt Asahidake, the Biei Blue River and a limestone cave in Toma.
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Tour Duration
5 Day -
Minimum Travellers
4 People -
Accommodation
4 Night -
Tour Starts
Asahikawa -
Included Meals
4 Breakfast
3 Lunches
4 Dinner -
Tour Finishes
Asahikawa
Tour Highlights
- Meet and learn about the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido.
- Explore the ancient Toma Limestone Cave, open exclusively to our group.
- See steam roaring out from spectacular volcanic fumaroles at Mt. Asahidake.
- Use snowshoes to hike through serene forest to Biei’s famous Blue River.
- Relax with overnight stays at Asahidake Onsen and Shirogane Onsen.
About the Heart of Hokkaido
Checking in at 2,291 metres (7,500 feet), Mt. Asahidake in Daisetsuzan National Park is the tallest mountain in Hokkaido. Also known as the “Roof of Hokkaido”, the mountain has a special place in the hearts of Hokkaido people, including the indigenous Ainu. In winter the breath taking scenery is blanked in white snow that is shaped by the wind. At the foot of the mighty peak, steam roars seemly out of the snow, making the scenery all the more dramatic.
In contrast, the charm of Biei lies in its rolling hills and tranquil forests. The iconic Blue Pond gained a worldwide recognition when the image was used as the wallpaper on Apple computers. It’s always been a highly popular site to visit in summer, but in winter the frozen waters are covered in snow and the forrest is silent. We take advantage of the snow to put on our snowshoes to explore the forest beyond the pond. Our walk takes us to the Biei River, the source of the pond’s blue water.
The Toma Limestone Cave is one of the only two limestone caves that exist in Hokkaido and has quickly become one of our favourite local spots. Leaving the snowy landscape behind and descending into the darkness is a thrilling adventure. The cave is usually closed to visitors from October to April. However, thanks to the cooperation of the local town and fellow local guide we have exclusive access to the cave!
Mt. Asahidake, the Blue River and the Toma Limestone Cave are the best-matching winter gems of the area and experiences we’d like you to experience at least once in your lifetime!
Who is this tour for?
- Active travellers who enjoy walking for 3 to 5 hours a day.
- Curious travellers who enjoy a mixture of activities & sightseeing and learning about the regions they visit.
- Winter hikers & snow lovers interested in hiking in snow with the help of snowshoes (No prior experience required).
- Adventurous travellers who enjoy rural hospitality staying in Japanese style accommodations with natural hot springs on site.
Heart of Hokkaido Winter Tour
Itinerary at a Glance
*B: Breakfast  L: Lunch  D: Dinner
Day 1 (D)
Meet your group in Asahikawa
Day 2 (B, L, D)
Visit Ainu Museum & Toma Limestone Cave
Day 3 (B, L, D)
Snowshoe in the foothills of Mt Asahidake
Day 4 (B, L, D)
Snowshoe to the Biei Blue River
Day 5 (B)
Farewells in Asahikawa
Tour Inclusions
Items that are included in the cost of tour price.- 4 Breakfast, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinner
- 4 Night accommodation on a twin share basis
- Guided tour & admission fee at the Ainu Museum
- Guided tour to the Toma Limestone Cave
- Guided tour to Mt Asahidake fumaroles
- Return cable car to and from Mt Asahidake
- Guided tour to the Biei Blue River
- Guided tour at the Takasago Sake Brewery
- Snowshoe rental
- All transport as described in the itinerary
- English speaking local guide(s)
Not included
Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.- Airfare
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Drinks with included meals
Travel to the Meeting Point
We will meet at 5:00 pm at our hotel in Central Asahikawa. The closest airport is Asahikawa Airport (AKJ), where you can fly directly from Tokyo Haneda (HND). From the airport there are seven buses a day departing for Central Asahikawa, which takes 30 to 40 minutes, and costs 630 yen per person.
An alternative to flight is a train (Japan Railway, abbr. JR), which travels every 30-60 mins between Sapporo and Asahikawa. Upon booking, please let us know your travel plans to Asahikawa, so we can assist you with more concrete transportation plans to get yourself to our first night hotel. You can check in after 3:00 pm if you are arriving earlier than our meeting time.
You can search train timetable in English on Japan Transit Planner website.
Heart of Hokkaido Winter Tour Accommodation
DAY 1 | Hotel in Asahikawa | Ensuite | Onsen spa |
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DAY 2 | Ryokan at Asahidake Onsen | Ensuite | Onsen spa |
DAY 3 | Ryokan at Shirogane Onsen | Ensuite | Onsen spa |
DAY 4 | Hotel in Asahikawa | Ensuite | Onsen spa |
What to bring on your Heart of Hokkaido Winter Tour
Essentials
- Hard shell jacket and pants
- Winter/snow boots & thick socks
- Thick fleece or down jacket
- Warm base layers top & bottom
- Ski gloves, beanie, and items to keep you warm
- Sunscreen & sunglasses
- Insulated drink bottle
- Personal medications
- Backpack with enough capacity to carry all of the above
- Enough face masks for the number of travel days (available to purchase locally)
- Eco-friendly shopping bag and any other item to reduce single-use plastic waste
- Travel insurance
- Passport
- Cash in Japanese yen. Small restaurants and shops in rural parts of Japan do not accept credit cards. Lunch in general costs 1,000-1,500 yen and dinner 2,000-3,000 yen. You can withdraw cash from an ATM at a post office and 7-eleven convenience stores.
Recommended
- Cellphone power bank
- Travel SIM
- Familiar snacks to eat during activities
- Camera
We supply
- Snowshoes and poles
- Head torch
- First aid kit
- Safety equipment and maps
Please note that you will be asked to show your passport when checking in accomodation in Japan. It is a requirement for accommodation providers to take a photocopy of the passport of international visitors.
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Mt Asahidake in mid-winter under the cloudless sky
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Our group getting up close to the fumaroles of Mt Asahidake
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Looking from Mt Asahidake to the Tokachi Mountains
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Snowshoeing by the Biei Blue River
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In the forest of Shirogane Onsen at the start of our snowshoeing tour to Blue River
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Snowshoers playing in the fresh soft snow by Biei Blue River
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Observing the rocks inside the Toma Limestone Cave
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Toma's local guide sharing how the limestone is formed
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Limestone columns in Toma
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At the first lookout with Mt Asahidake
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Feeling the forces of nature close to the fumaroles
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Fun sledding on the return walk
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Snowshoeing in Shirogane's primeval forest
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Having a snow shower
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Group photo at Biei's Blue River
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Taking in the view of Biei's Blue River
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Our special break spot alongside Biei's blue river
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Snow mushrooms in Biei's Blue River
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Group photo inside the cave
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Walking into the darkness of a limestone cave
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Sake made by Takasago Brewery
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Takasago Sake Brewery
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Guides in Takasago's special uniform
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Sake rice
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Guide Tobaji in knee deep snow at Asahidake Onsen
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Dive headfirst into the soft snow
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Snowshoeing in the forest at Asahidake