An all-inclusive snow tour based in the beautiful landscape of Shakotan Town, exploring the wonderful deep winter landscape and ski resorts of West Shiribeshi, Hokkaido. The tour is designed to combine a ski experience with local excursions and is ideal for those wishing to have a more intimate experience, similar to the service of the European chalet-style ski resorts. The tour is 6 days full of adventure with travel days on either side, allowing most customers to be able to experience other parts of Japan outside of their tour. We would suggest that guests spend a couple of days in Sapporo prior to arrival, in order to acclimatise and see some of the amazing things Sapporo has to offer. The 4th-11th Feb 2024 is a time to visit the Sapporo Snow Festival. For details please see here.
Guided walking, skiing, snowboarding, sea kayaking, sea lion watching and snowshoeing in Hokkaido’s less-visited, snowy western region; walk over pristine snow, seeing abundant wildlife and enjoying local onsen thermal hot spring baths.
January, February & March.
The Shiribeshi Snow Experience is an all inclusive fully-guided 7 night 8 day tour suitable for anyone who is an intermediate skiier/snowboarder and looking for more local off-the-beaten track experience. We have designed the package to include skiing at several lesser-known resorts, as well as activities that introduce tourists to the beautiful western part of Shiribeshi, Shakotan. If you’re looking for something a little different from the conventional Niseko experience, look no further!
After exploring the dramatic, beautiful winter countryside, we find warm welcomes and comfortable surroundings at our accommodation. Our ice cream shop and bakery serve as the homely center of the experience, where you will also reside for the duration of the trip, surrounded by peace, nature, fluffy snow and farm animals! Here we satiate our palates with luxurious feasts prepared at Kamui Farm. Freshly baked scones, homemade blackberry jam and clotted cream. Homemade bread, cakes, croissants, pain au chocolat and other pastries. Evening meals are made up of local veggies, meats and some of the best local seafood that Japan has to offer.
Spend time with one of our cats in front of the wood stove. Watch from our breakfast bar at the snow falling outside, hot coffee in hand. Or venture outside to see our pigs, sheep, and goats. Play ping pong, darts, pool, or relax with a movie on our big screen, whilst drinking a nice cold beer or large glass of wine.
Our local onsen, Misaki No Yu, gives a classic Japanese experience and a fine way to relax and luxuriate at the end of the day.
The maximum group size for this tour is 8 persons.
Shiribeshi Region, Hokkaido
Areas of Shiribeshi Region, Hokkaido
The itinerary for the Kamui Farm Hokkaido Snow Tour as follows. Kamui Farm will provide detailed instructions for traveling to the meeting point in Yoichi from New Chitose Airport (CTS). Please note that at the end of the tour, travelers are advised not to book an early morning flight as it can take between two and three hours to reach New Chitose Airport from our accommodation.
Day 1 Arrival
Today we await the arrival of this week’s guests. Around 6 pm there will be an orientation for the tour with welcome drinks. This will give us an opportunity to introduce ourselves, welcome you and answer any questions you may have for the week. We will also be able to do an equipment check. Dinner follows at Kamui Farm. The cats are looking forward to meeting you.
Accommodation: Kamui Farm
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Shakotan
After breakfast, we will spend the morning seal-watching and boat touring with resident of 50 years, Fujita san. Fujita san is a PADI certified scuba diving instructor who also runs dolphin-watching tours in the summer. His knowledge of the area is unmatched and is the perfect guide to introduce you to Shakotan.
Return to Kamui Farm for lunch, followed by an afternoon of snow shoeing around the base of Shakotan dake. After this, it’s back to Kamui Farm for afternoon tea. We will then have our first Onsen experience at Misaki No Yu, where you can look out over the Shakotan ocean at Kamui Rock whilst enjoying a nice hot bath outside. The view really is spectacular. Meanwhile, a 3-course dinner will be prepared back at Kamui Farm. We wait for your return.
Accommodation: Kamui Farm
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & dinner
Day 3 Kiroro Ski Resort
Today is the day you powder hounds have been waiting for. Skiing! An early breakfast so we can get off early and make the first lifts at Kiroro Ski resort. Kiroro is the snowiest place in Japan, receiving the earliest snow of the season, and ending the latest. It is a beginner to intermediate resort, with some great pockets of powder.
We will spend the day here, having lunch at the mountain center which offers a variety of hearty Japanese meals. A mid-afternoon departure, followed by a local onsen and back to Kamui Farm for cat cuddles, games, movies, and dinner!
Accommodation: Kamui Farm
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, Snack Box & dinner.
Day 4 Teine Ski Resort
Our second day of skiing takes us to Teine Ski Resort, a small intimate ski resort just outside of Otaru. Another early start to get those first tracks! Today’s lunch is from the canteens at Teine, which features a variety of hearty Japanese meals. Today is a good opportunity to see Otaru Canal after skiing, followed by an onsen, and back to Kamui Farm for dinner!
Accommodation: Kamui Farm
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, Snack Box & dinner.
Day 5 Nikka Whiskey Distillery, Yoichi
After months off from the skis, the legs and body are probably feeling it today. We’ve scheduled this day as a more relaxing recreational day. Learn the history of one of the most famous Whiskey distilleries in Japan, Nikka. This is a great opportunity to sample the delicious whiskey, and buy souvenirs. The afternoon is free to do as you please. If you wish to spend the whole day exploring Yoichi then no problem! We will pick you up later to get you back to Kamui Farm for dinner. If you’d like to head back to the farm and chill for the afternoon with the cats, also no problem! Tonight we will also set up the big screen for a movie night. Let’s get ready and recharge for tomorrow’s skiing!
Accommodation: Kamui Farm
Meals: Breakfast, lunch(if applicable), afternoon tea & dinner
Day 6 Niseko United Ski Resort
You know the drill by now. Breakfast and skis in the car. We’re off to world famous Niseko ski resort today. Niseko United is made of up 4 mountains. Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village and Annapuri. Depending on the weather conditions that day, we may get an all-mountain pass, or we may just select a couple of the mountains to play in. Either way, its epic skiing, lunch at a local restaurant before onsen, and returning home for dinner.
Accommodation: Kamui Farm
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, Snack Box & dinner
Day 7 Rusutsu Ski Resort
Saving the best ’til last, Rusutsu is our most favourite resort. Located just outside of the town of Makkari, Rusutsu boasts a large array of skiable terrain. We will be heading off early again today to enjoy as much of Rusutsu as possible. Lunch at Rusutsu. The usual afternoon routine takes us to a local onsen before our drive back to Kamui Farm for a relaxing evening and our last dinner together.
Accommodation: Kamui Farm
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snackbox & dinner
Day 8 Departure Day
Thank you for an amazing week. We hope you’ve enjoyed yourself and thank you for taking the opportunity to come and discover a lesser explored part of Hokkaido.
We transfer together from the accommodation to Yoichi train station after breakfast, where we arrive at approximately midday. The tour ends here. If your flight requires an early departure, please contact us for advice.
Accommodation: N/A.
Meals: Breakfast.
This itinerary is subject to change.
The airport closest to the us is New Chitose Airport, near to Sapporo.
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FROM NEW CHITOSE AIRPORT (CTS)
From Hokkaido’s New Chitose Airport, trains depart frequently to Otaru and then onto Yoichi. The journey costs about JPY2300-3000 per person and takes approximately 2 hours 44 minutes. It may be possible for us to organise an airport pick-up. Please inquire before beforehand to see if this is an option.
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Tour participants are advised not to book themselves out on a morning flight from New Chitose Airport at the end of the tour as the group transfer will arrive at approximately midday. If you plan to depart earlier than this, please contact us for advice.
Here is a quick breakdown of tour dates. Please refer to the purchasable items below for availability. The number of places shown there are real-time updated availability.
GUIDED TOUR DATES
10th to 17th Jan 2024
19th to 26th Jan 2024
28th Jan to 4th Feb 2024
6th Feb to 13th Feb 2024
15th to 22nd Feb 2024
24th Feb to 2nd March 2024
4th March to 11th March 2024
13th March to 20th March 2024
22nd March to 29th March
The following is an example of the week’s food menu. It is subject to change depending on seasonal availability of items, but where changes are made, the quality and standard will remain the same.
Breakfast
- Granola & cereals, milk, fruits & nuts
- Croissants & pain au chocolat
- Toast with jams & butter
- Porridge oats
- Eggs and bacon
- Rice, miso and salmon
- Tamago kake gohan
- Orange & apple juice
- Variety of teas
- Espresso coffees including flat white, latte, cappuccino etc
Day 1
Afternoon Tea: Cookies, brownies, scones with jam and clotted cream, small sandwiches
Dinner
- Dip: salsa
- Starter: bbq chicken wings, blue cheese dip
- Main: burgers, fries, side salad
- Dessert: homemade ice cream sundaes
- Cheeseboard
Day 2
Lunch: Katsu Curry
Afternoon Tea: Cookies, brownies, scones with jam and clotted cream, small sandwiches
Dinner: Japanese food at Shakotan restaurant
Day 3
Lunch: Teine Ski Resort
Dinner
- Dip: tzatziki
- Starter: pumpkin soup with bread
- Main: Salmon, potato puree, asparagus, hollandaise
- Dessert: white chocolate panacotta
- Cheeseboard
Day 4
Lunch: Kokusai Ski Resort
Dinner
- Dip: humous
- Starter: onion bhajis w/sweet chili
- Main: butter chicken & naan breads
- Dessert: Homemade Mango sorbet
- Cheeseboard
Day 5
Lunch: Chicken Teriyaki (if applicable)
Afternoon Tea: Cookies, brownies, scones with jam and clotted cream, small sandwiches
Dinner
- Dip: guacamole
- Starter: Tuna tostadas
- Main: Lamb shanks, mashed potato, spinach, demi-glace
- Dessert: fruit crumble, custard, or ice cream
- Cheeseboard
Day 6
Lunch: Niseko
Dinner: In-house sushi dining
Day 7
Lunch: Rusutsu
Dinner
Dip: blue cheese dip
Starter: Hokkaido scallops, pea puree, bacon
Main: steak & chips, chimichurri sauce
Dessert: creme brulee
Cheeseboard
The following alcohol will be available:
- beer
- red & white wine
- whiskey
- rum
- vodka
- gin
- Mixers for drinks
PRICE JPY 399,000
Pricing is per person. Accommodation is backpacker dorm style accommodation with custom bunk bed double bedding for privacy. Bathrooms are separated on the lower floor.
Included: Kamui Farm tour leader. All accommodation; everyday breakfast, snack boxes, lunches and evening meals. Alcohol is also included. Tours and equipment hire; dedicated travel vehicle; onsen tickets; entrance fees; pick up and drop off to Yoichi train station.
Breakfast: Continental & Japanese breakfast including homemade coissants, pain au chocolat, homemade bread, homemade jams, butter, granola, milk, eggs, bacon, rice, miso soup, fruits. Juices, teas, and espresso coffee are also available.
Snack box: For mountain days we will supply you with a small sandwich or onigiri and cake to keep you going during the day.
Lunch: Lunch at Kamui Farm will be a varied menu across the week. Food will include hamburgers, sandwiches, and rice dishes. On mountain days we will select local restaurants serving donburis, ramen, etc. Either way, it’s our shout!
Dinner: Dinner at Kamui Farm will be a varied 3-course starter, main, and dessert menu with chips and dips beforehand. We will also prepare a cheeseboard for after-dinner. Subject to availability, one night of your stay will be an in-house local sushi/seafood dinner. Dinner at a local restaurant will be selected depending on dietary requirements of the specific group that week. On this night we will shout the food and ask that customers take care of their own drinks.
Alcohol: Included in the package. The fridges at Kamui Farm are always full of wine, beer, and various other drinks. We also have a range of spirits and mixers. Please help yourself!
Not included: Snowboard/ski rental, ski clothing, boots, goggles etc. Flights. Travel insurance.
Note: Kamui Farm has many animals including cats, which freely roam all parts of the building except for the guest’s bedrooms. We regret to inform you that we can not accommodate those with cat allergies, so please be forewarned.
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