Located in eastern Hokkaido, the "Kitanemuro Ranch Way" is a well-known long-distance trail. While summer, when the pastures are a vibrant green, is the peak season, did you know that you can also hike this northern landscape in winter, when the entire land is covered in white snow?

Hokkaido in winter is full of scenery, animals, and nature that can only be seen in a snowy region! One of the activities that allows you to fully enjoy winter in Hokkaido is snowshoeing.

Snowshoes are a type of snowshoe designed for walking on snow. They are a fantastic item that allows you to easily walk on snow even in places where your feet would sink into the snow with regular shoes.

Using these snowshoes, we'll be heading to Mount Moan, part of the "Kita-Nemuro Ranch Way" long trail in Nakashibetsu Town, Hokkaido.

What is Kitanemuro Lunchway?

The "Kitanemuro Lunchway" is a walking path that was painstakingly and entirely handmade over more than 10 years by about 10 volunteers, led by Mr. Saeki, the owner of Saeki Farm.

The path takes you through vast pastures and eastern Hokkaido, a place where you can walk through a ranch—a sight you can only see in Japan—as you walk along the trail.

The 71.4km-long road, stretching from the town center of Nakashibetsu to Biruwa Station in Teshikaga, is divided into six courses, each approximately 10km long. From spring to autumn, many people from all over Japan and even overseas come to eastern Hokkaido to visit this "Kita-Nemuro Ranch Way."
(This is what summer scenery looks like.)

Putting on snowshoes, I headed to Mount Moan in winter.

Now, this time it's winter. In winter, I like to go mountain climbing wearing snowshoes!

Winter is quite different from summer; the footpaths that exist in summer are covered in snow and impassable. Therefore, it is essential to be accompanied by a guide (or someone with experience).

First, we visited Saeki Farm and rented snowshoes. Then, we drove for about 10 minutes to the starting point.

Snowshoes can be attached to your own snow boots or trekking shoes.
Tighten your rubber belt securely, grab your trekking poles, and you're ready to go!

Summer is a lively time with cows grazing, the sounds of animals and insects chirping, and the rustling of grass in the wind. But in winter, when the seasons are reversed, the Kita-Nemuro Ranch Way is eerily quiet, a stark contrast to summer.

The surroundings are completely white with snow, and the sunlight reflecting off the snow surface is dazzling. The only things left on the pristine snow are our own footprints.

Can you see how the bases of the windbreak trees lined up along the way are bent?

Nakashibetsu Town, where we live, experiences strong winds blowing in from the mountains, resulting in harsh conditions such as snowdrifts and whiteouts in winter. This windbreak forest helps to block those strong winds, protecting the roads and houses beyond.

The bent base of the trees is proof that they are bravely withstanding strong winds. These windbreaks survive and thrive despite the wind. Our lives are protected thanks to trees like these.

(Reference) The green belt-like area is a windbreak forest.

Encouraged by the resilient windbreak forest, I continue onward.

Then Mount Moin comes into view, and I lie down on the pristine white snow for a while, resting and gazing at the blue sky.

Now, let's head to Mount Moan. The flat path we've been on now changes to a slope.

A cold wind hits my face, and I climb the mountain step by step, breathless. When I get tired, I stop, look at the scenery, take a deep breath, and then start moving again.

After starting our climb from the foot of the mountain, we reached the summit of Mount Moan in about 30 minutes.

Mount Moin is 356 meters high, so it's not a particularly large mountain.
Planted in a straight grid pattern on the snow piled up on the flat Nemuro-Kushiro Plateau
Hokkaido Heritage Site: Grid-patterned windbreak forest.
Looking behind me, I could see mountains covered in white snow.
A breathtaking 360-degree panorama unfolds before you.

This view is what makes you want to climb it again and again, even when it's tough. That's Mount Moan.

Why not enjoy seasonal activities and see this breathtaking scenery with your own eyes in eastern Hokkaido, a place where unspoiled nature still remains?

Please note that for the 2015 winter season, we have the following tours scheduled for March. If you are interested in participating, please contact us.

☆Tour Stack☆
"Enjoy snowshoeing and snow hiking (skiing) on ​​the Kita-Nemuro Ranchway in winter!"
Date and Time: March 21, 2015 - Lake Mashu outer rim course; March 22, 3 - Mount Moan course
Price: From 3000 yen (depending on the course, rental fee separate)
Tour Inquiry Contact
Road to Trail!
Road to Trail! Facebook Page
Email: info.roadtotrail@gmail.com

Important notes for enjoying the Kita-Nemuro Lunchway in winter

How do I go snowshoeing?

2. Acting alone is extremely dangerous. Please act in groups of two or more, including at least one experienced person.
2. Please inquire about accompanying guides. Contact Saeki Farm or the Nakashibetsu Tourism Association.
3. Depending on the weather, it will feel colder than on flat ground due to the strong winds. Also, exposure to the wind will drain your energy more than usual, so wearing full winter clothing such as ski wear is essential.
4. Snowshoeing can be experienced from early January to late March when there is snow.
5. Rentals are available from "Saeki Farm" (prices will be negotiable if renting directly).
6. The time required varies depending on the route, but for Mount Moin, it takes about 4 hours.

How do I get to Mount Moine? (To the vicinity of the foot of Mount Moine)

1. Approximately 40 minutes by car from Nakashibetsu Airport, and 2.5 hours by car from Kushiro Airport (depending on snow conditions on the roads).
2. Approximately 9,000 yen by taxi from Nakashibetsu Airport.

Contact
Nakashibetsu Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association)
2-22 Maruyama, Nakashibetsu-cho, Shibetsu-gun
TEL: 0153-73-3111
http://www.kaiyoudai.jp/index.html

Saeki Farm
2000-2 Mataochi, Nakashibetsu-cho, Shibetsu-gun, Hokkaido
TEL: 0153-73-7107
http://www.kiraway.net/

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