The journey to a snow country resort | Access to Tomamu in winter

The drive from New Chitose Airport to Tomamu takes approximately two hours. In winter, snow and ice are commonplace on the Hokkaido Expressway. Studless tires are essential, and you should drive at a moderate speed. When a blizzard hits, visibility can deteriorate rapidly, sometimes resulting in near-whiteout conditions, so extreme caution is necessary.

If you are unsure about driving on winter roads, you can rest assured by using the winter season bus liners or JR trains to Tomamu that depart from or arrive at New Chitose Airport or Sapporo.

On the day I visited, the road was quite tense due to the swirling snow, which significantly reduced visibility. However, I continued driving carefully and managed to arrive safely. The moment I saw the resort surrounded by snow-covered mountains, I felt a great sense of relief.

Guest rooms at Tomamu The Tower, surrounded by a snowy landscape.

We stayed in a standard twin room at Tomamu The Tower. At approximately 24-27 square meters, it was spacious enough for two people. While not flashy, the interior had a warm, inviting feel, giving it the tranquil atmosphere of a resort in a snowy region.

Outside the window, snow was falling softly over the Tomamu forest. Looking out at the tranquil snowscape from the warmth of the heated room felt like a luxurious experience. The contrast between the harsh cold outside and the comfort inside is one of the unique charms of a winter stay.

Tomamu's diverse restaurants to enhance your stay

Since Tomamu is located in the mountains, you will likely eat most of your meals at the resort during your stay.
Tomamu The Tower boasts a variety of restaurants, including Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine, so you'll never be short of dining options. From authentic dishes featuring Hokkaido ingredients to lavish buffets and casual dining choices, the abundance of choices will enhance your stay.

*Restaurants may change depending on the season.

Soup Curry GARAKU ~Tomamu no Mori~ | A winter feast that warms the body.

For lunch, I visited "Soup Curry GARAKU ~Tomamu no Mori~". You can easily enjoy the taste of GARAKU, a popular restaurant in Sapporo. The soup, with its rising aroma of spices, warms you gently on a cold day. The deep-fried vegetables are very sweet, and the chunky ingredients are very satisfying.

The spiciness of the soup can be adjusted, which is a nice touch as you can customize it to your liking. Enjoying a piping hot bowl of soup curry while gazing at the snowy landscape was truly a winter treat.

Menya Takezo -TAKEZO- | A blissful bowl to end your night in Tomamu

Another ramen shop I visited was "Menya Takezo." The base soup comes in a variety of flavors, including seafood, yuzu, and ginger. The photo shows the chicken clear broth soy sauce ramen. The clean and crisp soup pairs perfectly with the firm, chewy noodles. The steam and aroma of the ramen instantly warms your chilled body, making you want to eat it in silence.

This is a chicken broth salt ramen. Contrary to its clear appearance, the rich soup is not too strong and has an exquisite balance, and it pairs perfectly with the noodles, which have a strong wheat flavor. It gently warmed me up after being chilled in the ice village.

A fantastical ice village where even the cold becomes part of the atmosphere.

An iconic symbol of winter in Tomamu is the fantastical "Ice Village," which only appears at night. Located within walking distance of Tomamu The Tower, the domes and buildings made of ice and snow create a scene that feels like stepping into a fairy tale.

The ice church, ice bar, ice hotel, and other creations are each temporary "works of art." The illuminated ice glows with a pale blue light, radiating an even greater presence in the silence. The ice church is said to be made from a single, seamless block of ice, symbolizing the idea that "the pure feelings of two people will continue without interruption."

Touching the ice counter was so cold it numbed my hands. Yet, strangely, it was very comfortable, and even the cold felt like part of the experience. Walking through the ice village at night, fully prepared for the cold, is an unforgettable moment that can only be experienced by coming to Tomamu in winter.

Ice Village

HP

https://www.snowtomamu.jp/winter/icevillage/

Seafood rice bowl and French toast! A breakfast buffet is a treat on your trip.

The highlight of the next morning was breakfast. In Tomamu, you can choose from three restaurants, but this time we chose the buffet dining restaurant "hal". Our target was the salmon and salmon roe rice bowl. We put rice in a bowl and piled on plenty of salmon and salmon roe. A breakfast overflowing with seafood is the real treat of a trip to Hokkaido.

In addition, they offer a wide variety of dishes that evoke the essence of Hokkaido. Among them, the French toast is particularly popular. Made with plenty of Tomamu milk, its fluffy texture combined with the fragrant aroma from being grilled on a griddle makes it undeniably delicious.

On the way to the restaurant, the short walk while admiring the snowy scenery was very pleasant, and the cold morning air further enhanced the feeling of being on a journey.

Experience the frost-covered terrace, standing in a world of pure white.

After breakfast, we headed to the Frost-Covered Terrace. A shuttle bus runs from the hotel entrance to the ropeway station. Unfortunately, the weather was bad that day. We couldn't see any frost, and the temperature felt much colder than we expected. Apparently, on a clear day, you can see glittering white frost and magnificent scenery, but there's nothing we can do about nature. However, the experience of standing in a world of white with no visibility was also memorable, and I felt like I caught a glimpse of the harshness of winter mountains.

Frost-covered Terrace

HP

https://www.snowtomamu.jp/winter/frosttree/

A memorable winter stay in Tomamu

Our winter stay at Tomamu The Tower was an extraordinary resort experience, where we enjoyed everything, including the cold. The ice village, the snowy landscapes, and the warm cuisine were all unique charms of a winter trip. On the other hand, the green season offers a wealth of activities and will surely show a different side of the resort. We would love to visit again with our family when our children are a little older. It was a truly memorable stay.

Hoshino Resorts Tomamu The Tower

Address

Nakatomamu, Shimukappu-mura, Yufutsu-gun, Hokkaido

TEL

0167-58-1111

In/Out

15:00/10:00

HP

https://www.snowtomamu.jp/summer/hotel/tower/

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