Magical winter events and experiences: A 4-day trip to Chitose, Otaru, and Asahikawa Arrive at New Chitose Airport and depart from Asahikawa Airport

A one-hour bus ride from New Chitose Airport will take you to Lake Shikotsu, which boasts one of the highest water clarities in Japan. At the Chitose and Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, held from late January to late February every year, you can see an array of dazzling ice structures made from the clear water of the lake. The water is called the Shikotsu Blue for its stunning color, and you can see the ice shining in the beautiful blue during the daytime. With a hot drink in your hand, stroll through the mystical world of ice. Though the ice structures will be lit at night, we will head to Otaru before nightfall.

During the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival, the streets of Otaru lined with historical buildings will be illuminated by candlelight after dusk falls, creating a romantic ambiance. Enjoy a night stroll on your way to Sushiya-dori street, where you will have sushi, a local specialty, for dinner.

On the second day, we will head north to Asahikawa to visit the Asahiyama Zoo. The zoo is famous as a pioneer in Japan to have introduced the exhibition style focusing on showcasing animals' natural behavior. The cute waddling penguins that can be seen only during the wintertime are a sight you do not want to miss!

For the next stop, we will go further north to Sounkyo Onsen to see the Sounkyo Icefall Festival, held during the severe winter season. Ice structures are built and colorfully lit in the Soukyo gorge to create a surreal secluded icy world. After finishing up the day with a dramatic finale of fireworks, soak in a hot spring and prepare for the next day.

Let's go back to Asahikawa again and start your third day with an exhilarating ride on a Snow Train at the Kitasaito Asahikawa Winter Garden in front of Asahikawa Station. The garden is filled with flowers and plants in the summer but turns into a white snowfield in the winter, a perfect site for snowmobile sleigh rides. Before leaving the area, visit the bustling Asahikawa Heiwa Street Shopping Park to get some souvenirs, and we will then move on to Biei, a town of hills. Biei Senka will satisfy your appetite with delicious local specialties, including fresh produce and unique, tasty foods and drinks made with it.

The last attraction of the day will be a scenic sightseeing bus tour. The winter illumination course offered by the Biei View Bus covers the best views of the area, such as the Shirogane Blue Pond and the Shirohige no Taki (Whitebeard Waterfall). After admiring the beauty of nature, head for Furano and stay the night.

For the final day, let's get active in Hokkaido's world-class snow! The Furano Ski Resort offers rental ski and snowboard gear, so you can enjoy the snow sports without carrying your equipment around during the trip. At the Wakuwaku Family Snow Land in the resort, you can try various fun rides, such as rafting and banana boating on the snow, as well as snowmobiling.

The resort offers easy activities that you can enjoy with children too, like snowshoeing and dog sledding. From winter sports enthusiasts to first-timers and kids, anyone can have a delightful time in the snow that warms up both your body and heart. Reflecting on all the precious memories you made in Hokkaido, fly back home from Asahikawa Airport.