To go where no piste has gone before
Tokachidake is nature in the Hokkaido Powder Belt ‘as is’. There are no lifts, no groomed runs, and no crowds; just pure powder to be enjoyed. The area consists of Tokachidake, a 2,077-metre volcano, and Tokachidake Onsen, a hot spring village dotted with welcoming inns.
Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding
If you haven’t done avalanche rescue training before setting out for Tokachidake, you will have with a guide by the time you hit the mountain. The danger of inadvertently having to be rescued is very real, and commands the expertise of a local to show you the ropes.
The reward of gliding weightlessly across the powder, as plumes of smoke billow into the air from the cone above, is priceless. This snow is the stuff of dreams for hardcore riders, coming down in hefty instalments of up to 30 centimetres a night. To get started arranging a guide, contact any of the inns on this page if you’re staying with them, or the Kamifurano Tokachidake Tourist Association.
Natural Hot Spring Inns
The volcanic rumblings of Tokachidake heat up natural springs below to temperatures of more than 40°C, which are harnessed by a cluster of hot spring inns in the village of Tokachidake Onsen. Perched at altitudes in the 1,200 metre range, their outdoor hot spring baths command superb views above the clouds, and are a welcoming haven for riders who have been out enjoying the powder all day.
Getting to the inns during the winter season is simple, thanks to their coach pickup services from major Hokkaido transport hubs like Sapporo and Asahikawa. They provide a combination of Japanese tatami and western-style rooms, and with local food also on the menu, are an excellent choice for experiencing Japanese culture and country hospitality along with the powder.
How close is Tokachidake Onsen to?
Kamifurano (next to Furano): 25 min (bus)
Asahikawa: 1 hr 55 min (bus)
Further Information
REGION INFORMATION
Hokkaido
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The northernmost island of Japan, known for its abundance in nature and fresh produces. Hokkaido is also the original mecca for snow sports in Japan because of its heavy snow fall during winter season and the range of undeveloped natural terrains.
