2025 Recommended Comprehensive guides in Kutchan (Updated October)

1️⃣Urban wildlife near Tanukikoji 🦊🌆 Experience: Surprisingly, you can see foxes and raccoons in central Sapporo. They are especially common in the parks near Tanukikoji. Tip: They often appear at night, but keep your distance and never feed them. 🌙🚫 2️⃣Seagull heaven at Otaru Canal 🌊🕊️ Experience: Otaru Canal is a great place to watch seagulls, especially in spring and summer. Activity: Take a sightseeing boat and watch seagulls up close. 🚤📸 3️⃣Wildlife exploration on the Shiretoko Peninsula 🐻🌄 Experience: The Shiretoko Peninsula is a great place to watch brown bears, deer, and seabirds. Safety: Join a local wildlife watching tour and enjoy nature safely. 🔭🦌 4️⃣Red-crowned Cranes and Swans at Lake Akan 🦢🌅 Experience: In winter, Lake Akan becomes home to red-crowned cranes and swans. Scenery: It's a different experience to observe these graceful birds in the snow. ❄️🦢 5️⃣Wild Ducks and Waterfowl at Lake Toya 🦆🏞️ Experience: Lake Toya is home to many waterfowl, and in summer, they flock together on the lake's surface. Activity: Take a walk along the lakeside and enjoy the lively scenery on the lake's surface. 🚶♂️💦 #WeekendOuting #OutsideProvince

❄ Many people's longing for Hokkaido comes from the movie 'Love Letter', which depicts Otaru, Hokkaido as a romantic snow country town. Now this 'Love Letter' will invite you to a date in the snow country - 【Travel Highlights】 🦀Top Seafood｜Taste the fresh and sweet taste of the famous Hokkaido cold water seafood 🏂Quality Powder Snow｜Experience the silky world-class powder snow at Niseko/Rusutsu Ski Resort ✨Glass Workshop｜Feel the magical change of glass under high temperature, witness the craftsman's blowing process, and experience the production course ♨Hokkaido Hot Springs｜Bathe in the winter hot springs in the Sapporo backyard hidden by locals at Jozankei ⛄Snow Lantern Road｜In the winter-limited festival, feel the beautiful winter of Otaru decorated with warm candlelight and snow sculptures 🥃Visit Whiskey Brewery｜Taste the rich flavor of single malt whiskey - 【Encounter on the Way】 ✅Otaru｜Music Box Hall, Tengu Mountain, Asari, Triangle Market, Canal Warehouse, Funamizaka ✅Niseko and Rusutsu｜Skiing, drifting, horse riding, sledding, ice fishing, snow house sauna, helicopter tour, etc. ✅Sapporo｜Snow Festival, Sapporo Tower, Hokkaido Old Government Building, White Lover Factory, Tanuki Koji Shopping Street - 【Stay】 🏡Otaru Ginrinso｜Experience the Showa Japanese retro style, the vast and pure Ishikari Bay and the bustling romantic Otaru market are all in sight 🏡Niseko Park Hyatt｜Enjoy the private terrace hot spring, overlooking the magnificent scenery of Annupuri and Mt. Yotei 🏡Rusutsu Westin｜All rooms are duplex design, enjoy the fun of ice and snow in the mountains 🏡Jozankei Chalet｜Japan's latest SLH hotel, you can bathe in the hot spring in the room and enjoy the scenery of the four seasons - 【Delicacies】 🍣Otaru Sushi｜The top seafood produced in the cold water area makes the sushi chef adhere to the 'original flavor', highlighting the freshness of the ingredients 🐏Genghis Khan Grilled Lamb｜Thinly sliced lamb and vegetables are grilled on an iron plate, which is one of Hokkaido's local dishes 🏮Sapporo Miso Ramen｜One of Japan's three major ramen, with a representative flavor of rich soup - 【Itinerary Overview】 ❄DAY1｜Love Letter of Snow Country 💡Go to Otaru to watch the night view of Tengu Mountain and walk on the Snow Lantern Road ❄DAY2｜Fairy Tale Cross Street 🎏Triangle Market, Funamizaka, Music Box Hall, Glass Shop Tour, Taste Yoichi Distillery Whiskey ❄DAY3｜Dancing Niseko/Rusutsu 🏂Experience winter sports in the world-class powder snow field ❄DAY4｜Warm Jozankei ♨Experience the stunning holiday in Jozankei Hot Spring in Sapporo's backyard ❄DAY5｜Play with the Snow Festival ⛄Play with one of the world's four major snow festivals, the Sapporo Snow Festival, factory visit and production experience ❄DAY6｜Farewell to Hokkaido 👋🏻Return/Continue to travel to other cities in Japan

#MarchGoodPlaces2025 Day 3: Go skiing 🎿 I got up early in the morning and went to Donbei in Nijo Market to eat rice bowl 🍣 (I arrived there at 6:15 and the queue had already started / the door opened at 07:00) 🐟The fish is super fresh and tender, the overall combination is very good, it's really delicious🤤 🦀The crab soup looks tasteless, but it is super sweet Later, I rushed to catch the bus to Niseko at 8:00. It cost 5,000 yen per person. (There are many meeting points, which is a very convenient means of transportation) We also stopped at the Wangyang Zhongshan rest stop. We bought some Hokkaido specialty 🥔 potatoes at the rest stop, they were really delicious The most recommended potato fries 🍟, sprinkle with kelp salt, fry the potato fragrance and it is also very crispy 🎿After arriving at Niseko Ski Resort, Because I have a friend working there, I just saved the coaching fee🥰 After skiing until the evening, we walked around and took a look at the scenery of Mt. Yotei🏔️ Recommended to take photos at Lawson Niseko Hirafu 📷 Go to Kutchan at night and eat at Marukyu Shoten izakaya 🏮 Basically the food is delicious, especially the fried chicken which is super juicy and flavorful. I still remember it so well. #MarchGoodPlaces2025

KOMACHI STREET Walking Street (KAMAKURA)🚶♀️ Foodies can't miss KOMACHI STREET Walking Street. There are many shops to walk around and eat or sit and eat in the shop. There are so many to choose from, filling up both sides of the road. The places we went to eat were: 1. Baskin-Robbins (too bad it's no longer available in Thailand😭) 2. MAISON CACAO: A famous cocoa shop with delicious cocoa and desserts. It's rich and creamy. 3. Freshly made sembei. The shop will give you freshly made sembei. 4. TOMOYA KAMAKURA: Buddha-shaped desserts with fillings to choose from. The taste is generally delicious, but it's cute.🥰 5. KAMAKURA CHACHA: A green tea shop with different levels of strength. We chose the strongest and it was so strong.🤩 6. Crêpe Shop Coquelicot: A crepe shop. It's delicious, but I thought they dropped sugar on the crepe. There were so many people in line (but crepes in Japan tend to have lots of sugar anyway🥹) 💴Entrance fee: FREE 📍Directions: Get off at Kamakura Station, walk out of the station and turn left, you will see a pedestrian street, full of shops. ＊You can also walk through to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Temple. For those who come to visit Kamakura, in addition to the famous tourist attractions, don't forget this pedestrian street. You must walk on this street🧡 #TravelJapan #trip #Kamakura #shinagawa #komachistreet #japanesefood #japantravel #travelplan

Hey friends! Still struggling to find the perfect ski resort? Niseko, Hokkaido, is your ultimate destination! Composed of four major ski areas, it boasts soft powder snow, diverse slopes, and breathtaking views of the majestic Mount Yōtei. Plus, the facilities are top-notch. Without further ado, let's dive into this comprehensive guide! Four Unique Ski Areas 1. Hirafu Ski Resort: As Niseko's most famous and largest ski area, Hirafu caters to skiers of all levels. The snow quality is superb, and the rental equipment is excellent. We highly recommend booking lift tickets and equipment online in advance to enjoy discounts. The area offers a wide variety of dining options, although the cable cars are a bit basic, but that doesn't detract from the skiing experience. 2. Niseko Village Ski Resort: A hidden gem! Located near Mount Yōtei, the scenery is simply breathtaking. There are plenty of beginner-friendly tree runs, and the slopes are less crowded, making for a fantastic skiing experience. The ski resort lobby is located within the Hilton hotel, adding a touch of luxury. The cable cars are large and spacious, and you can relax at the hotel after a day on the slopes. 3. Annupuri Ski Resort: This resort is perfect for beginners, with numerous wide, beginner and intermediate slopes, often referred to as "big white slopes." However, it can get a bit crowded, and the rental equipment is somewhat clunky. The food here is quite good, offering a delightful culinary experience alongside the skiing. 4. Hanazono Resort: Although I haven't personally skied here, you can access it with a Hirafu lift ticket. It's said that the cable cars and yurts here are LV-branded, making it a great challenge for intermediate and advanced skiers. Lift Tickets and Ski Area Access You can purchase individual lift tickets for each ski area, or opt for an all-mountain pass or a combined ticket (including day passes, hourly passes, and point cards) based on your needs. Single-day lift tickets cost around RMB 300+, and ski rentals are also around RMB 300+. The ski areas generally operate until around 7:30 pm. You can ski from one peak to another or take the shuttle bus between ski areas, but you might need to carry your skis for a short distance. Therefore, we recommend focusing on one ski area per day to fully enjoy the experience. Three-Day Itinerary Suggestion DAY 1: Depart from Sapporo for Hirafu Ski Resort and experience the powder snow. Enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants in the area. DAY 2: Spend the morning at Annupuri Ski Resort on the beginner-friendly slopes, and then head to Niseko Village in the afternoon to admire the stunning views of Mount Yōtei. DAY 3: Depart from Kutchan for Otaru to soak in the romantic atmosphere, and then return to Sapporo, concluding your delightful ski trip. Transportation and Accommodation The journey from Sapporo Station to Otaru Station and then to Kutchan Station takes approximately 3 hours. From Kutchan, you can transfer to a bus to reach the ski resorts. Some hotels also offer shuttle services. Trains from Otaru to Kutchan are infrequent and crowded, so you might have to stand for the entire journey. We highly recommend Niseko Grand Hotel for accommodation. Even during the peak Lunar New Year period, when hotels are expensive and hard to book, this hotel offers rooms for just RMB 1200+. The rooms are newly renovated, the environment is fantastic, and there's an open-air onsen (even a mixed-gender one!). The hotel provides free shuttle service to and from the station, a bus to the ski resorts, and a delicious breakfast, offering exceptional value for money! The nearby Dwarf Restaurant is a popular spot with a unique atmosphere, definitely worth checking out. So, are you ready to embark on your ski adventure in Niseko? Start planning now!

There are nearly a hundred large and small ski resorts in Hokkaido in winter, from local ski resorts to giant resorts, from the world-famous ski resorts of Niseko and Rusutsu, to the ski resorts near Sapporo city, Hokkaido is full of surprises❄ - 1⃣ Rusutsu Resort ⭐Features: The largest ski resort in Hokkaido, with 37 ski trails spread across three mountains: West Mountain, East Mountain, and Isola Mountain, boasting high-quality powder snow, with a total skiing distance of 42 kilometers 🏂🏻Ski Trails: Beginners are recommended to go to the East Mountain snow area, advanced skiers can try Isola Mountain ⛄Special Activities: Dog sledding, snowmobiling 🚗Transportation: About 1 hour and 30 minutes from Sapporo New Chitose Airport 📍13 Izumikawa, Rusutsu-mura, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido . 2⃣ Niseko Resort ⭐Features: Located in the southwest of Sapporo, it has the best quality powder snow in Japan, attracting skiers from all over the world 🏂🏻Ski Resort: There are 4 ski resorts, from difficult to easy: Village Ski Resort, Hirafu Ski Resort, Annapuri International Ski Resort, Garden Ski Resort ⛄Special Activities: The hotel has rich facilities, and there are high-quality hot springs nearby 🚗Transportation: About 2 hours drive from Sapporo Station 📍Niseko, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido . 3⃣ Sapporo Teine ⭐Features: High-quality powder snow above 1000m altitude, overlooking Sapporo city and Ishikari Bay 🏂🏻Ski Trails: A super long beginner's ski trail of 6km, you can find Chinese coaches, suitable for family trips ⛄Special Snow Activities: Children's Park, snow entertainment facilities 🚗Transportation: Only 40 minutes from the city center, very convenient! 📍593-3 Teinehoncho, Teine-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido . 4⃣ Furano Ski Resort ⭐Features: Located in central Hokkaido, near Furano city, you can overlook the magnificent scenery of Tokachidake and Daisetsuzan 🏂🏻Ski Trails: There are 28 ski trails, rich in variety, from beginners to advanced skiers can enjoy the fun 🚗Transportation: About 2 hours and 30 minutes drive from Sapporo 📍 Nakamise, Furano, Hokkaido . 5⃣ Hoshino Resort Tomamu Ski Resort ⭐Features: Complete hotel facilities, with a dreamy ice world 'Ice Village' 🏂🏻Ski Trails: 29 different ski trails, meeting the different needs of beginners to advanced skiers ⛄Special Activities: The fog ice observation deck suitable for photo shooting, and the ice castle made entirely of ice 🚗Transportation: About 2 hours drive from Sapporo 📍Tomamu, Shimukappu-mura, Yufutsu-gun, Hokkaido