Experience Magic at Jozankei Onsen Yukitouro

For official information, visit Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) - Sapporo.

Visitors can enjoy public footbaths for a very small fee while watching the soft snow fall. Many luxury hotels offer day-use passes for their large indoor and outdoor hot spring baths. These passes usually cost between 1,000 and 2,000 yen for a few hours of pure relaxation. Soaking in hot mineral water while surrounded by deep snow is a quintessential Hokkaido winter experience.

Getting to Jozankei is very simple if you use the convenient Kappa Liner bus service from Sapporo. You should book your bus seat in advance to ensure a smooth trip during the busy festival. The journey offers stunning views of the snowy forest through the large windows of the comfortable bus. This trip is perfect for those who want to escape the city for a few hours.

• Festival Location: Jozankei Shrine
• Bus Cost: Approximately 960 yen each way
• Best Time: Late afternoon to see the lanterns glow

Explore the Romantic Canals of Otaru in Winter

Otaru is a charming port town that looks like a storybook scene during the cold winter months. The train ride from Sapporo Station takes only thirty-five minutes along the beautiful and snowy coastline. You can walk along the famous Otaru Canal to see historical stone warehouses covered in thick white snow. The atmosphere becomes truly romantic when the gas lamps light up the canal paths in the evening.

The Otaru Snow Light Path is one of the most popular Sapporo winter events 2026 visitors enjoy. Thousands of small lanterns float on the canal water or sit nestled in the snow along the streets. You can also visit the famous Otaru Music Box Museum to see thousands of unique musical treasures. The local glass shops offer beautiful handmade souvenirs that reflect the icy beauty of the Hokkaido region.

Food lovers should visit the Sankaku Market for a fresh seafood bowl for a delicious local lunch. The market is located right next to the train station and offers the freshest crabs and sea urchin. You can find more travel details on the Sapporo Travel official website for your planning. Otaru provides a perfect mix of history, shopping, and beautiful winter lights for every type of traveler.

Marvel at the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival

Lake Shikotsu is famous for having some of the clearest and deepest water in all of Japan. The Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival features massive sculptures made by spraying lake water onto large metal frames. These ice structures take on a natural blue tint during the day because of the water purity. At night, the entire festival grounds glow with vibrant and colorful lights for a magical effect.

The festival usually runs from late January through mid-February when the temperatures are at their lowest point. You can walk through ice tunnels and climb to the top of frozen towers for great views. On weekends, the organizers often host impressive fireworks displays over the frozen landscape for all the guests. It is a cold environment, so wearing heavy winter gear is essential for your comfort during the visit.

You can reach Lake Shikotsu by taking a bus from either Chitose Station or the main airport. The bus ride takes about forty minutes and offers views of the surrounding volcanic mountains and forests. Combining this trip with a visit to the nearby Chitose Salmon Aquarium is a great daily itinerary. This destination offers a more rugged and natural winter experience compared to the city festivals.

Witness the Penguin Parade at Asahiyama Zoo

Asahiyama Zoo is located in Asahikawa and is famous for its unique and interactive animal enclosure designs. The winter highlight for most visitors is the Penguin Parade which happens twice every single day. King penguins walk along a snowy path right in front of the excited crowds of zoo visitors. This natural exercise for the penguins has become a world-famous winter tradition for the Hokkaido region.

To reach the zoo, you should take the limited express train from Sapporo to Asahikawa Station. The train journey takes about eighty-five minutes and offers a very comfortable ride through the countryside. From the station, a local bus will take you directly to the zoo entrance in thirty minutes. You should check the Japan National Tourism Organization site for the latest train schedules and tips.

The zoo also features polar bears, seals, and snowy owls that are very active during the winter. You can watch the seals swim through vertical glass tubes for a very close and exciting view. Many visitors enjoy the hot ramen shops located inside the zoo to warm up between animal sightings. It is a fantastic full-day trip for families traveling with children during the winter holidays.

Enjoy Snow Sports at Sapporo Teine Resort

Sapporo Teine is the perfect destination for travelers who want to enjoy high-quality skiing very close to the city. You can reach the base of the mountain in just forty minutes by using a taxi or bus. This resort hosted events during the 1972 Winter Olympics and offers world-class slopes for all skill levels. The Highland Zone provides incredible views of the Ishikari Bay and the city of Sapporo below.

The resort offers full equipment rentals including skis, boots, poles, and warm waterproof clothing for all guests. You do not need to bring your own gear to enjoy a day on the snowy mountains. Beginners can practice on the gentle lower slopes while experts can try the steep and challenging black runs. The snow quality in Hokkaido is famous for being light, dry, and very powdery for skiing.

After a long day on the slopes, you can relax in the resort cafeteria with a hot meal. Many visitors choose to return to the city in the late afternoon for a nice dinner. This trip is much easier to organize than traveling to larger resorts like Niseko or Rusutsu. It allows you to experience famous Hokkaido powder snow without moving your luggage to a new hotel.