Hokkaido, Japan | From Sapporo | Kimobetsu Snow Park + Lake Toya + Lake Shikotsu + Mt. Moiwa Night View Day Tour | Winter Only
- Professional licensed Chinese/English-speaking guide and a comfortable large bus for an easy tour of Hokkaido's popular winter spots.
- Visit Kimobetsu Snow Park to take in the silvery snowscapes and enjoy Hokkaido's unique winter atmosphere and snow activities.
- Explore the Lake Toya observatory and Toyako Onsen town to see Lake Toya's spectacular scenery from different angles and enjoy some relaxing lakeside time.
- Discover Lake Shikotsu in winter, where crystal-clear water and snowy mountains create Hokkaido's breathtaking natural scenery.
- Head up to the Mt. Moiwa observatory to look out over Sapporo's sparkling city lights, a romantic view named one of the "New Three Major Night Views of Japan."
Package Options
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Departure Time | Late Departure (After 9 am) |
| Luggage limit | 1 piece |
| Tour types | Guided tour |
| Meal arrangement | Arrange yourself |
| Family-friendly | Free for children under 2 (no seat) |
| Seasonal | Winter Snow Exclusive |
| Transport | Bus tour |
Product Info
Purchase Notice
• This tour includes a walking tour, so we recommend wearing comfortable shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather.
[Tourism Conditions]
• Departure/Destination: Hokkaido • Tour Duration: Day Trip • Transportation: Chartered Bus • Bus Company: Sanyu Sightseeing Bus • Number of Meals:
Breakfast: 0 times; Lunch: 0 times; Dinner: 0 times • Accommodation: None • Minimum group size: 1 person • Tour leader: 0 people • Tour guide:
Depending on the type of vehicle used on the day (large buses will have a tour guide on board; minibuses or large taxis will have a tour driver providing commentary along the way).
[Travel Planning/Implementation]
• Company Name:
Y.H International Travel Co., Ltd. • Address:
3rd Floor, Kyodo Building, 10-1-27 Kita 1-jo Nishi 10-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido • Hokkaido Governor's Registration - Travel Industry:
No. 2-833 • Belonging Travel Association:
Regular member of the Hokkaido branch of the National Association of Travel Agents (ANTA).
Reminders
Child safety seats and children's meals are not provided on this tour. If you need them, please let us know before booking to confirm whether they can be arranged.
Each traveler may bring 1 piece of luggage up to 28 inches on the bus free of charge. If you have large or multiple pieces of luggage, please check with us in advance.
Times listed for this tour are for reference only. Actual arrival and departure times, length of stay and the order of visits at each spot may be adjusted depending on traffic, snow, weather, group size, facility operations and other force majeure factors on the day; the final arrangements on the day prevail.
Each traveler may bring 1 piece of luggage up to 28 inches on the bus free of charge. If you have large or multiple pieces of luggage, please check with us in advance.
Please arrive at the designated meeting point at least 10 minutes before the bus departs to check in. The bus leaves on time; no refunds will be given if you miss the tour for personal reasons, lateness or similar. The guide will generally not contact you before departure, so please confirm the meeting point and time yourself and arrive on time.
You may choose to leave the tour early at designated spots, but the price will not change and no partial refunds will be given. If you wish to leave the tour along the way, please tell your guide in advance and complete the confirmation procedure. You are responsible for your own transportation and other arrangements after leaving the tour.
Times listed for this tour are for reference only. Actual arrival and departure times, length of stay and the order of visits at each spot may be adjusted depending on traffic, snow, weather, group size, facility operations and other force majeure factors on the day; the final arrangements on the day prevail.
Due to facility closures, changes in opening hours, visiting restrictions or other operational factors, the tour may move on to the next spot early, change the order of spots, or shorten or cancel some stops. Thank you for your understanding.
In case of traffic congestion, severe weather, road closures, natural disasters or other force majeure events, the bus may arrive late and the itinerary may be changed or canceled at short notice. Final arrangements are subject to actual operations on the day and staff notice.
We recommend not scheduling tight dinner plans, activities or transportation right after the day tour. Travelers taking a flight, shinkansen or other long-distance transport that day should allow plenty of time. We are not liable for any compensation if delays caused by traffic, weather or other force majeure events cause you to miss subsequent bookings, flights or other transportation.
If a large taxi, minibus or similar vehicle is used on the day, the driver guide will provide basic tour commentary and assistance; no separate dedicated tour guide will be arranged.
[Notes on Snow Activities & Snowmobiling]
Snow activities are greatly affected by weather, temperature, snow quality and snow cover. Activity content may be adjusted, restricted or canceled for safety reasons or depending on on-site operations.
If snow activities cannot take place due to insufficient snow, the snowmobile area not being open or other on-site operational factors, the itinerary will be adjusted on the day and will in principle visit Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley, about 40 minutes) and Mt. Showa-Shinzan instead. The actual alternative spots and stop times will depend on road, weather and operating conditions on the day. Thank you for your understanding.
The insurance included with the snowmobile experience offers limited coverage. If an accident occurs, you will usually need to receive treatment at a local medical facility in Japan and claim eligible medical costs under the policy terms; other related costs may not be covered.
For peace of mind, travelers joining snowmobiling or other snow activities are advised to purchase travel or accident insurance that covers snow activities before departure.
[Special Arrangements During the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival]
※ From January 31 to February 23, 2027, during the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, the length of stay at some spots and the return arrangements will follow a special schedule for that period.
During the festival, this tour will visit the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival venue, and the stop at Lake Shikotsu will be extended to about 90 minutes.
※ Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival admission is not included in the tour price; please buy tickets on-site. Actual prices are subject to the festival's latest official announcements and on-site prices.
Reference fares:
Weekdays: Adults (junior high school students and above) JPY 1,000 per person; elementary school students and younger free
Saturdays, Sundays and Japanese public holidays: Adults (junior high school students and above) JPY 3,000 per person; elementary school students and younger free
※ Event dates, opening hours, ticket prices and content may change due to the organizer's arrangements, weather or other factors. Please refer to the latest official announcements.
[January 31 – February 23, 2027 | Special Mt. Moiwa Arrangements]
Because the tour schedule is adjusted during the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, the following special arrangements will apply after arriving at Mt. Moiwa.
■ Travelers who wish to ride the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway
After arriving at Mt. Moiwa, your guide will help exchange your Mt. Moiwa Ropeway tickets and give boarding guidance.
After the ticket exchange and boarding guidance, you can ride the ropeway, explore Mt. Moiwa and enjoy the Sapporo night view at your own pace, without having to come down at a set group time.
Travelers who choose to ride the ropeway and get off for the night view should return to central Sapporo on their own after the night view.
Mt. Moiwa has a free shuttle bus to near the Sapporo Streetcar stop, which you can take on your own. Any fares for the Sapporo Streetcar or other public transportation back to central Sapporo are at your own expense.
■ Travelers who do not wish to ride the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway
If you do not wish to ride the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway on the day, please let your guide know in advance.
Travelers not riding the ropeway can stay on the bus back to central Sapporo and get off at Sapporo TV Tower, with no need to arrange their own return transportation.
※ Please note: once you choose to get off at Mt. Moiwa and ride the ropeway for the night view, you are in principle considered to be returning to central Sapporo on your own. After leaving Mt. Moiwa, the bus will not come back to pick you up after the night view, so please confirm in advance and plan your return trip accordingly.
※ The special Mt. Moiwa return arrangements above apply only from January 31 to February 23, 2027. On other departure dates, the regular itinerary and return arrangements shown on the product page will in principle apply.
[Notes on the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway]
During busy evening hours, we will do our best to arrange suitable ropeway departures based on the number of participants and on-site operations that day to reduce waiting time.
If you booked a plan that includes the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway ticket, the plan includes the ropeway tickets needed to reach the summit observatory. Please refer to your booked plan page for exact inclusions.
The Mt. Moiwa Ropeway is scheduled to be closed on December 31, 2026 and January 1, 2027, and cannot be ridden on those days.
The Mt. Moiwa Ropeway undergoes annual maintenance from around mid-March to mid-April each year and is expected to be suspended for about 1 month. Please check the latest official Mt. Moiwa Ropeway announcements for the actual suspension dates.
The Mt. Moiwa Ropeway may not operate normally due to severe weather, strong winds, equipment maintenance, temporary suspensions or other force majeure events.
If the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway is not operating that day, the tour will in principle go to JR Tower T38 (the 38th-floor observatory at Sapporo Station) instead to enjoy the night view of Sapporo.
※ Final arrangements will depend on official Mt. Moiwa Ropeway operating announcements, road and traffic conditions, weather and on-site conditions on the day. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 2 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- For cancellations made 1 to 1 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 50% will apply
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–0 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once your refund request is confirmed, KKday will initiate the refund to your original payment method within 15 days. The actual refund timing depends on your card-issuing bank’s policy.
FAQ
1. How much time is generally recommended to fully experience Otaru Canal?
To fully immerse yourself in the charm of Otaru Canal, we recommend allocating at least 1.5 to 2 hours. This duration is sufficient for a leisurely stroll along the canal, admiring the historic architecture, and exploring the surrounding stone warehouses, craft shops, or cafes. If you wish to take a canal cruise for a more complete experience, an additional 40 minutes should be factored in to enjoy the scenery from the water.
2. What are the recommended must-visit attractions and unique experiences around Otaru Canal?
Around Otaru Canal, you can enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of the North Canal and the classic viewpoint from Asakusa Bridge. Must-visit spots include the Otaru Canal Shokudo (restaurant) and the shops and eateries housed in renovated stone warehouses. For unique experiences, consider a canal cruise to view the cityscape from the water, or visit the Kitaichi Glass Sangokan and Otaru Music Box Museum to appreciate Otaru's exquisite craftsmanship and artistic ambiance.
3. Why has Otaru Canal become a famous landmark in Hokkaido?
Otaru Canal is famous for its unique historical background and romantic atmosphere. As Hokkaido's former trading port, the canal witnessed the city's prosperity. The red brick and stone warehouses along its banks exude a nostalgic charm. Combined with gas lamps and the canal's reflections, it creates a distinctive exotic ambiance, especially captivating in the evening, drawing many tourists to experience its allure.
4. Does the canal water typically freeze in Otaru during winter?
While Otaru's temperatures are low in winter, the water in Otaru Canal typically does not completely freeze over. Although the canal's flow is slow, there is still movement, preventing a full freeze. The annual 'Otaru Snow Light Path' festival, where countless candlelight reflections on the unfrozen water create a dreamlike and romantic winter scene, is a major highlight.
5. Besides visiting, what other activities or features are worth experiencing at Shiroi Koibito Park?
At Shiroi Koibito Park, you can not only admire the European-style castle architecture and exquisite rose gardens but also gain an in-depth understanding of how Shiroi Koibito chocolates are made. The park features a cookie-making workshop where you can try your hand at creating your own cookies. Additionally, there's a cafe for enjoying desserts, a miniature steam train outdoors, and in winter, seasonal illuminations add a fairytale-like atmosphere.
6. What makes Mt. Moiwa's night view unique, and why is it considered one of Japan's 'New Three Major Night Views'?
The night view from Mt. Moiwa is unique because it offers a 360-degree panoramic vista of the sprawling city lights of Sapporo. The dazzling urban glow intertwines with distant mountains and the coast of Ishikari Bay, providing an exceptional and layered view. It's recognized as one of Japan's 'New Three Major Night Views' due to its distinctive panoramic perspective, the scale of the illumination, and the outstanding viewing experience, leaving a profound impression on visitors.
7. What are the common ways to get to Mt. Moiwa from Sapporo city to view the night scenery?
The most common way to get to Mt. Moiwa from Sapporo city to view the night scenery is by taking the Sapporo Streetcar to 'Cable Car Entrance' station, then transferring to a free shuttle bus to the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway base station, and finally taking the ropeway and the mini cable car to the summit. Many day tour packages also offer dedicated bus transfers, making it easier and more convenient for travelers to reach the cable car station and enjoy the night view.
8. Approximately how long is the travel time from Sapporo to Otaru Canal on this day tour?
On this day tour, traveling by comfortable large bus from Sapporo city to Otaru Canal typically takes about 40 minutes to 1 hour one way. The exact duration may vary depending on traffic conditions on the day. This tour provides a convenient and relaxed transportation experience, allowing you to reach your destination comfortably.
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