10 Best Things to Do in Hokkaido in Winter (By a Local)

Planning a winter trip to Hokkaido? There are so many unforgettable things to do in Hokkaido in winter, beyond just skiing!

I grew up in Eastern Hokkaido, where winter is long, cold, and absolutely magical.

Over the years, I’ve tried nearly everything, from swimming in the icy ocean in Shiretoko to ice fishing on a frozen lake. I think you’ll love these fun winter activities too, and that’s why I put together this list: the 10 best things to do in Hokkaido in winter, based on my local knowledge and personal experience!

You’ll find plenty of ideas here to make your trip feel less like a tourist checklist and more like a real Hokkaido winter adventure.

1. Walk on the Drift Ice

Can you image what it feels like stepping onto a frozen sea? You can actually experience it with a drift ice walk in Shiretoko in Eastern Hokkaido!

Every winter, huge sheets of drift ice travel from Russia and reach the coast of Eastern Hokkaido. Walking on the ice-covered ocean is something you can never experience anywhere else.

With a thick dry suit, you can explore the surface of the ice, and even float in the icy water without feeling the cold (too much). It’s a really fun activity that I recommend everyone who’s visiting Hokkaido in winter.

The first time I tried it, I was a bit nervous getting into the freezing sea water, but it actually felt quite safe and easy!

My tip💡: This tour is getting more popular, so make sure to book ahead of time with Gojiraiwa Kanko or Shinra.

2. Take a Drift Ice Cruise

Not ready to walk on the frozen sea? No worries, you can still enjoy the drift ice comfortably on a ship.

From late January to March, icebreaker cruises head out into the Sea of Okhotsk, pushing through thick sheets of ice with a crack and rumble you can actually hear and feel under your feet.

There are two ships you can choose from. The Aurora in Abashiri is the big one, with space for hundreds of passengers and a wide deck to take photos.

The Garinko in Monbetsu is smaller and has giant red drills on the front to chew through the ice. I personally love the Garinko. It feels more adventurous, and Monbetsu often has thicker ice.

These cruises are also very popular, so book early!

My tip💡: If you can, time your cruise between mid to late February. That’s when the drift ice is usually at its peak.

3. Try Snowshoeing in the Snowy Forest

One of my favorite ways to enjoy winter in Hokkaido is simply walking through the snow with snowshoeing!

I love it because you don’t need special skills. You just need winter boots and snowshoes, and poles if available. Then you can wander through deep, fluffy snow!

If you’re coming to Eastern Hokkaido, the Shiretoko National Park is the perfect place to try it. There are snowshoeing tours during the day time to enjoy the snowy landscapes and mountain views, or join a nighttime snowshoeing tour for a magical walk under the stars.

4. Join an Ice Horizon Walk

Have you seen a horizon made entirely of ice? You can see it at the far eastern edge of Hokkaido, the Notsuke Peninsula.

From late January, the sea around the peninsula freezes solid, creating a vast white landscape known as the “ice horizon.”

You can join a walking tour to walk across this endless frozen ocean stretching to meet the sky. If you visit in mid to late February, you might also catch drift ice floating along the outer coast, turning both sides of the peninsula into a sea of white!

⚠️ Important: It’s dangerous to walk on the frozen sea by yourself. Always join a guided tour.

5. Go Ice Fishing on a Frozen Lake

Have you ever tried fishing through a hole in the ice? It’s one of my favorite winter activities since childhood, and surprisingly beginner-friendly!

Even if you’ve never held a fishing rod before, guides will show you everything from how to set the bait to how to pull up your catch. And of course gear is all provided, including your own private tent, so you can stay cozy while waiting for the fish to bite.

The most common catch is wakasagi (Japanese smelt). They’re small, but delicious, especially when cooked tempura-style.

Lake Abashiri in Eastern Hokkaido is one of the most famous spots for this, and it’s easy to join a guided tour. They will cook your catch into tempura on the spot!

Lake Nukabira near Obihiro also has a similar private tour for smelt fishing.

6. Spot Wildlife from a Winter Cruise

If you like bird watching, winter in Shiretoko is the perfect place. Every year, hundreds of Steller’s sea eagles and white-tailed eagles migrate here, and the best way to see them is from a drift ice cruise in Rausu, a small port town on the Shiretoko Peninsula.

This wildlife cruise in winter is only available in Rausu, from late January to mid-March. The staff will share not only where to look, but also explain about the animals and the drift ice. You’ll also pass by fishing boats out for pollock, a glimpse of daily life here in the middle of the harsh season.

If this sounds like your kind of adventure, book a tour with Shiretoko Nature Cruise.

7. Watch Winter Birds: Cranes and Swans

You can enjoy bird watching in Hokkaido, even without a tour. Two of the most iconic are the red-crowned cranes in Kushiro and the swans at Lake Kussharo, both in Eastern Hokkaido.

Cranes in Kushiro

Did you know red-crowned cranes, or tancho, are considered symbols of longevity and happiness in Japan? Once nearly extinct, they now thrive thanks to decades of local conservation. More than 1,500 gather around Kushiro every winter.

You can see them at the Tsurumi Observatory where they are fed in wide open fields during winter, or learn more about their preservation efforts at the Crane Nature Park. Another easy-to-reach spot is the Crane Center Grus, where you’ll also find a small hot spring, restaurant, and shop nearby.

Swans at Lake Kussharo

Lake Kussharo becomes home to flocks of swans between November and early April. They love this lake because its lakeside shores are warm with natural hot springs, keeping parts of the lake unfrozen. It’s like their own open-air bath!

One of the best spots to watch the swans up close is Sunayu. There’s a lakeside footbath and a rest house serving snacks, so you can warm up while enjoying the view.

8. Experience Local Winter Festivals

If you are visiting Hokkaido in winter, you can’t miss the festivals! Growing up here, I always looked forward to these events — playing in the snow, seeing incredible ice sculptures, and warming up with a hot drink (the best part!).

Here are a few of the biggest ones to keep on your radar:

• Sapporo Snow Festival (early February) — world-famous for its enormous snow and ice sculptures.
• Asahikawa Winter Festival (early February) — known for a 100m-long snow slide and family-friendly fun.
• Sounkyo Icefall Festival (late Jan–early Mar) — glowing ice tunnels and frozen waterfalls in the mountains.
• Akan Ice Festival (mid-Jan–late Mar) — fireworks over a frozen lake, ice fishing, snowmobile and more.
• Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival (February) — a ice village with snow domes, ice bars, snow onsen etc.

👉 But Hokkaido has many more festivals in smaller towns too! If you’re curious, I’ve rounded up more in my full guide to Hokkaido winter festivals!

9. Warm Up in a Cozy Onsen

In Hokkaido, nothing feels better than sinking into a steaming hot spring after a day of winter adventure.

Hokkaido is full of onsen towns, from famous resorts to quiet little hideaways tucked in the mountains. Growing up here, an outdoor onsen surrounded by snow was always my favorite way to relax.

Some of the best-known spots include Noboribetsu, Jozankei, and Lake Toya. But I also love the smaller ones like Akan, Kawayu near Lake Kussharo, and Utoro in Shiretoko, where you can pair your onsen stay with nature activities.

👉 I’ve put together a full guide to the best onsen towns in Hokkaido with details on what makes each place special, plus suggestions on where to stay.

10. Taste Hokkaido Winter Foods

One of the best parts of winter in Hokkaido? The food! When it’s freezing outside, nothing beats sitting down to a hot, hearty meal that warms you from the inside out.

Ramen: Each city has its own style, but Sapporo’s miso ramen is especially famous in winter — rich, comforting, and perfect with a pat of melting butter on top. (👉 I’ve rounded up more about Hokkaido ramen here.)

Yakiniku: What’s better then surrounding a hot yakiniku grill with friends or family in winter? My hometown is called Hokkaido’s yakiniku town, and here are my favorite yakiniku restaurants.

Ishikari Nabe: And of course, Hokkaido’s traditional winter dish — Ishikari Nabe. This salmon hot pot is prepared with vegetables, tofu, and miso-based broth, a recipe that originally comes from local fishermen. Some families add ikura (salmon roe) or butter for extra richness. It’s hearty, simple, and deeply tied to Hokkaido’s food culture.

Your next steps

Now you know the 10 best things to do in Hokkaido in winter! Which one do you want to include in your trip?

If you are still planning your itinerary, don’t forget to check out my favorite 7-day winter itinerary and 10-day winter adventure full of winter outdoor activities.

Traveling on budget? No worries, I can also show you how to travel affordably in Eastern Hokkaido in winter without a car.

Happy trip planning!