● Takino Snow World
Located on the outskirts of Sapporo, Takino Snow World is a leisure area where visitors can fully enjoy Hokkaido’s winter. The expansive grounds, covered in pure white snow, offer a wide range of activities, including snow tubing, walking skis, and snowshoeing, suitable for beginners and advanced visitors alike. One of the most popular attractions is the long tubing course, where both children and adults slide down at full speed with excitement. Beyond snow play, winter nature walks are also appealing, allowing winter enthusiasts to enjoy Hokkaido’s magnificent scenery in crisp, clear air.
● Snow-Covered Moai Statues and the Hill of the Buddha at Takino Cemetery
Takino Cemetery becomes a magical sightseeing spot in winter. The giant Moai statues lined across the grounds take on an even more mysterious presence when covered in snow, creating an atmosphere like stepping into another world. The Hill of the Buddha, designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando, is another must-see. (Separate admission fee required) The concrete architecture harmonizing with the snowy landscape is stunning, and the tranquil presence of the Great Buddha leaves a deep impression on visitors. It is a unique place where culture and art blend together, offering solemn winter scenery found only in Hokkaido.
● Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill
Located close to central Sapporo, Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill is a popular spot offering panoramic views of Hokkaido’s vast snowy fields. In the clear winter air, the endless stretch of white landscape creates a quintessential Hokkaido view. The statue of Dr. William S. Clark, known for the phrase “Boys, be ambitious!”, stands on the hill and is a classic photo spot. The pastoral scene of sheep grazing calmly, combined with panoramic views of Sapporo, offers visitors both relaxation and inspiration. It is a place where visitors can experience the quiet beauty unique to winter.
Category Archives: 運行予定のコース
ROYCE’ CACAO & CHOCOLATE TOWN, Sapporo Mt. Moiwa Ropeway, and Sapporo Central Wholesale Market Tour (Excluding Multilingual Audio System)
● Royce’ Cacao & Chocolate Town (Paid areas are optional and individually paid.)
・This facility adjoins the factory of Royce’, Hokkaido’s representative chocolate brand. Exhibits and hands-on experiences let visitors learn about cacao cultivation, cacao history, and production processes.
・Factory observation: Take a look at the chocolate production line through glass (1st-floor free area).
・Chocolate bar-making workshop: Create your own original chocolate (additional fee required).
・Factory shop: A spacious shop offering exclusive products and sweets available only here (1st-floor free area).
● Free-Time Lunch at the Sapporo Central Wholesale Market Outer Market
・Fresh seafood bowls: The Outer Market has many eateries serving seafood bowls and sushi made with seasonal fish.
・A treasure trove of Hokkaido cuisine: Enjoy ikura, uni, crab, and other local specialties on the spot.
・Free-choice style: Participants can choose any restaurant they like, allowing for a personalized lunch experience.
・Market exploration: You can also shop for souvenirs such as dried goods and local delicacies.
● Sapporo Mt. Moiwa Ropeway
・Panoramic views of Sapporo: From Mt. Moiwa at 531 m elevation, look out to see the cityscape and the Ishikari Plains. Both daytime and night views are spectacular.
・Ropeway + mini cable car: Ride the ropeway to the mid-station, then take the “Morris Car” cable car to the summit.
・Observation deck: The summit has an observation deck where you can take in the views at your leisure.
[Winter] Otaru, the Japan Heritage City & Shiroi Koibito Park Course (Excluding Multilingual Audio System)
● Experience a Japanese Heritage Site: The Nostalgic Ambiance of the Otaru Canal
The Otaru Canal is beloved as a symbol of the city. Walk along the canal lined with stone warehouses, and you’ll feel as if you’ve slipped back to the early 1900s. These warehouses once served as a hub for good entering Hokkaido, symbolizing Otaru’s prosperity as the region’s economic lifeblood. They are part of the Japanese heritage site: Otaru – The Town Once Called the “”Heart”" of Hokkaido. The historic buildings and the calm waters of the canal create a soothing scene that warms the hearts of visitors. You can also explore attractions such as Kitaichi Glass, the Otaru Music Box Museum, and the Nitori Museum of Art.
● Enjoy Grilled Seafood at Otaru Bine, a Designated Historic Building of Otaru
For lunch, dine at Otaru Bine, housed in the renovated former Hokkaido Bank Head Office—a building steeped in history. The interior features high ceilings and stately decor, where you’ll enjoy a seafood grill lunch made with fresh, local catches from Otaru and Hokkaido. The building itself is a symbol of Otaru’s financial power, which supported Japan’s economy from the Meiji period onward.
● Former Nippon Yusen Otaru Branch (Closed Tuesdays and Dec. 29 to Jan. 3)
Completed in 1906, this was the second Otaru branch building of Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line).
Built during the port’s boom years, it stands as a symbol of Otaru’s prosperity as a thriving commercial and port city. It is also a Japan Heritage Site. Its refined interior include a marble side entrance, intricately carved wooden stair railings, and a finely crafted central ornament. Many imported materials were used, such as American steel shutters and German linoleum.
● Otaru Aquarium (Visited only on operating days from Dec. 13 to Feb. 23)
Home to around 250 species and 5,000 animals, the aquarium’s winter highlight is the “”Penguin Snow Walk,”" where you can watch penguins strolling across the snow up close. Up to 15 gentoo penguins, including chicks born in 2025, take part in this charming event. At the Dolphin Stadium, watch bottlenose dolphins perform spectacular jumps and playful tricks. Inside, take a look at northern species such as harbor porpoises, lumpfish, and sea angels—species that are kept only at Otaru Aquarium in Japan.
● Shiroi Koibito Park
This theme park offers factory tours of the production line for Hokkaido’s beloved “”Shiroi Koibiti”" cookies, exhibits on the history of chocolate, and hands-on sweets-making experiences. Its British-style buildings and gardens make for many picturesque photo spots. Visitors can enjoy exclusive sweets at the on-site shops and cafés, making it a favorite destination for families and tourists alike. (Note: From January 3 to July 31, 2026, parts of the 3rd-floor “”Chocotopia”" viewing area, including the production line, may be closed for renovations. Paid admission areas will remain open during construction.)
Lake Shikotsu Illumination and Ice Festival Tour (Excluding Multilingual Audio System)
This course coincides with the “Lake Shikotsu Hyoto Festival,” a festival of ice held on the shores of Lake Shikotsu each winter. The objects of ice are made from Lake Shikotsu’s clear water, and illuminated with a myriad of colored lights creating a fantastic and mystical atmosphere!
*Admission to the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is not included in this course. Each passenger must pay for the entry fee. (Adults: 1,000 yen; 11 years old and younger: free)
