Tomamu Taking a closer look at the appeal of one of Hokkaido’s long-stay resort destinations!

The “Unkai Terrace” is an observation deck at 1,088 meters on Mt. Tomamu, and we recommend visiting it in the spring, summer, or early fall. The unkai (sea of clouds) can only be seen in the early morning when the weather conditions are right. Every time the unkai appears, it’s slightly different, so each sighting is a once-in-a-lifetime event. When the sun rises over the horizon and casts its rays down on the unkai, its changing colors are a mystical and beautiful sight like something out of another world. There are a variety of different areas here designed to optimize enjoyment of this natural phenomenon, but we especially recommend the “Cloud Pool.” This spot is a huge cloud-shaped hammock you can take in the sights from, and it offers spectacular views. It’s sure to become an unforgettable memory from your trip to the Tomamu area.

In the farm area, cows, horses, sheep, and goats relax and eat grass, showing what things used to be like all over Tomamu. Listening to them while you nap on a bed dried grass is an absolute blessing. After you relax here, your body and mind are sure to feel completely at ease. At the “Milk Stand” located in this area, we recommend the soft-serve ice cream made with Tomamu milk from the farm.

This church in Tomamu was designed by an architect named Tadao Ando based on the theme of “coexistence with nature.” The walls are made from single, large panes of glass, providing expansive views of Tomamu’s lush nature, offering a different sight in each of the four seasons. Since this is a church, the site can also be used for wedding ceremonies. A wedding in a beautiful church nestled in the Tomamu forest sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?

In the winter season, one of the most enjoyable aspects of a trip to Tomamu, right alongside skiing, is the sight of rime ice coating the trees on the snowy mountain. Rime ice is the phenomenon of moisture in the air adhering to trees as ice crystals in below-freezing temperatures. At the Rime Terrace, you can see it for yourself pretty much all season long. If you’re lucky, you can even see the dazzling sparkle known as diamond dust here.

The Ice Village is a village made out of ice which is only open in the winter, made possible by the cold temperature in Tomamu which sometimes drops as low as -30℃. Within this village, we recommend checking out the “Ice Hotel.” Its domed roof, walls, furniture, and other fixtures are all made entirely of ice. You can stay the night here, but this service is only available to one group per day. With thick ice all around it, the space inside the dome is extremely quiet. The beds are also made of ice, but they are fitted with specially-designed sleeping bags for cold weather use that keep you toasty warm until morning. The Ice Village makes use of the cold weather to create a mystical ice world that offers a variety of other experiences as well.

“Club Med Tomamu Hokkaido” is another stylish mountain resort nestled in the lush nature of Tomamu. Stays here are all-inclusive, so the price includes all your meals, activities, and other amenities and there’s no need to carry around your wallet during your stay. There are a variety of activity programs for all ages from children to adults to enjoy, with large-scale entertainment shows and other events on a daily basis to fill every day with excitement! We recommend a long stay so you can enjoy the facilities to the fullest.

Another great thing about this resort is that you can use the “Mina Mina Beach” indoor pool and “Kibayashi no Yu” outdoor baths run by Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU as many times as you want during your stay. Also includes a free ticket for the gondola to the “Unkai Terrace” observation deck.