Jozankei’s snow-covered river and Lake Shikotsu’s illuminated ice formations give this winter day trip two distinct moods: quiet mountain scenery by day, then a glowing festival after dark. You leave Sapporo by vehicle, so there’s no need to piece together separate bus connections.
I like the long free-time stop in Jozankei, which gives you room to choose a river activity, a hot spring, or a walk rather than follow one fixed program. I also like the chance to see Lake Shikotsu in daylight and at night, with snow tubes included for a bit of lakeside play.
The trade-off is that the most memorable activities cost extra. Rafting needs advance planning, the hot spring and festival have separate fees, and the day depends on winter roads and weather.
At a glance
- Jozankei offers three different ways to spend your free time: snow rafting, a hot spring visit, or a hike in Futami Park.
- Rafting has a fixed 11:30 session: reserve ahead and budget an extra fee if you want to go.
- Lake Shikotsu gets both daylight and evening time: see the snowy lakeshore first, then the Ice Falls Festival lights.
- The vehicle connection is a major part of the value: it saves you from arranging separate transport between Sapporo, Jozankei, and the lake.
- Snow tubes are included: festival admission, meals, and optional activities are not.
- Plan for a small group: the tour requires at least six participants and lists a group size of six to 13.
👉 See our pick of the 10 Best Guided Tours In Sapporo
- At a glance
- From Sapporo to Jozankei’s snowy valley
- Choose rafting, a hot spring, or a snowy walk
- Lake Shikotsu in daylight, then under festival lights
- What the transport and group size mean
- Does the price make sense?
- Dress for cold, wet, and changing conditions
- Who should book this day trip?
- Should you book it?
- FAQ
- Where does the tour depart from, and when does it return?
- How much time do I get in Jozankei?
- Do I need to reserve snow rafting in advance?
- Is the hot spring visit included in the price?
- Is admission to the Lake Shikotsu Ice Falls Festival included?
- What is included in the tour price?
- How large is the group?
- Can children join the tour?
- What should I wear or bring?
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From Sapporo to Jozankei’s snowy valley
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8 / 8The day starts at Sapporo Station at 9:30 am. Arrive at least 10 minutes early, since late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable. The drive to Jozankei takes about an hour under the stated schedule, though winter traffic or weather can change the timing.
Jozankei is a hot spring resort in a forested valley, with the Toyohira River, snowy trees, and bridges adding the wintry scenery. The plan gives you about three and a half hours there, a generous stretch for a day trip. That time is not a guided tour with one activity for everyone. You choose how to spend it, and the vehicle assists with transfers to your preferred stop along its route.
That flexibility is useful, but it also means you should decide what matters to you before the morning begins. If you want to raft, the 11:30 session needs to be reserved in advance. If you prefer a soak or a walk, you can choose those instead and use the time at your own pace.
You can also read our reviews of more evening experiences in Sapporo
Choose rafting, a hot spring, or a snowy walk
Snow rafting is the most active option. A rubber boat travels down a gentle section of the Toyohira River with professional guides, passing snow-covered pines, ice formations, and Futami Bridge. Wildlife sightings are possible, not promised. The activity costs extra, and the tour information specifically calls for an advance reservation for the 11:30 session, so do not leave this decision until you arrive.
Rafting is a good fit if you want more than a scenic stop and are comfortable being outdoors in cold weather. Bring spare socks or a change of clothes: snow play and river activities can leave clothing wet. Follow the guide’s safety instructions and assess your own fitness before booking.
The hot spring option trades activity for warmth. You choose a Jozankei hotel bath, pay its bathing fee yourself, and can pair the soak with a meal at the hotel. A winter outdoor setting can make a hot spring visit especially appealing after time in the cold, but the bath and food are separate expenses, and you should allow time to reach the place you choose.
For a quieter outing, Futami Park has walking trails of varying difficulty. A snowy forest walk gives you a slower way to take in the area, without the added cost of rafting or a bath. Conditions underfoot can be wintry, so choose a route that suits your ability and wear boots with good grip.
The tour is not a fully guided activity program in Jozankei. The driver provides transport and the schedule leaves you free to explore, so you will need to keep track of the meeting time and return to the agreed pickup point promptly.
Lake Shikotsu in daylight, then under festival lights
The group is scheduled to reach Lake Shikotsu at about 3:10 pm, with roughly two hours and 50 minutes there. The lake is known as Japan’s northernmost ice-free lake. In winter, its open water sits among snow-covered mountains and volcanic scenery, making the first part of the stop quite different from the snowy forest around Jozankei.
Start with the lakeside promenade while there is still daylight. The schedule allows time to see the water and mountain reflections before the festival, and the free snow tubes offer a simple extra for playing in the snow near the shore. They are included in the tour price, unlike the festival ticket.
There is also time to rest at a lakeside café, though food and drinks are your own expense. That pause matters on a long cold-weather day: it gives you a chance to warm up before heading into the evening event rather than treating every stop as a photo opportunity.
The Lake Shikotsu Ice Falls Festival is the day’s main evening attraction. Ice sculptures and waterfalls are illuminated, turning the frozen forms blue and bright against the dark. Admission is about 1,000 yen and is not included. The festival is a seasonal event, so check that it is operating on your chosen date before you book.
The schedule aims to give you both the daytime lake view and the illuminated festival. That two-part visit is a real strength, but the festival stop is still self-guided. You set your own pace within the available time, and should keep an eye on the return meeting time.
What the transport and group size mean
The tour departs from and returns to Sapporo Station, with the return scheduled for about 7:30 pm. A vehicle connects the three main points, Sapporo, Jozankei, and Lake Shikotsu. That is useful in winter, when coordinating separate public transport legs can take time and may limit your options.
The group size is listed as six to 13 people, with a minimum of six required for the tour to run. It is a small-group outing, not a large coach tour, but do not assume a private vehicle just for your party. The schedule describes a Chinese-speaking professional driver or guide; it does not name an individual guide or promise continuous guiding at each stop.
The practical service is transport, timing, and access to the planned stops. One useful way to think about the experience is as a scenic transfer day with long independent breaks, rather than a guided excursion packed with commentary. That suits you if you enjoy choosing your own activity. If you want a guide to lead every walk or arrange every optional booking, this format may feel hands-off.
Does the price make sense?
The tour starts at US$94.59. Included are round-trip transfers from the meeting point, tolls, parking, fuel, tax, Chinese-language service, and snow tubes at Lake Shikotsu. That price can make sense if you value having the transport arranged and want to visit both places in one day without managing the connections yourself.
The advertised starting price does not cover the full cost of every possible day. Snow rafting, a hot spring bath, the Ice Falls Festival ticket, meals, drinks, and personal expenses are extra. If you plan to raft, soak, eat at a hotel, and enter the festival, add those costs before comparing the tour with other transport options.
The best value is for someone who wants the two-stop itinerary and expects to choose one or perhaps none of the paid Jozankei activities. You still get the core winter scenery and transport even if you keep spending modest. But if you are mainly interested in one activity, compare the total cost of this day with a more focused outing.
You can also read our reviews of more hiking tours in Sapporo
Dress for cold, wet, and changing conditions
Hokkaido winter weather calls for proper outdoor clothing. Wear a thick, windproof, waterproof coat, thermal layers, non-slip snow boots, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Sunglasses, toiletries, and valid identification are also listed as items to bring.
Take spare socks or clothes if you plan to raft or play in the snow. A thermos, power bank, and a little cash can also be handy; some small shops may not accept cards. For a hot spring visit, check and follow Japanese bathing etiquette.
Keep your schedule in view during free time. The vehicle has several stops to serve, and returning late can affect the whole group. Reserve rafting in advance, know where your next meeting point is, and leave yourself enough time to get there.
Who should book this day trip?
This tour is well suited to you if you are staying in Sapporo and want to see two winter attractions without arranging separate transport. It also works for families who like a mix of scenery and low-key snow play, though children are charged the same rate as adults and must be counted as passengers. There is no stated age limit.
It is a particularly sensible option if Lake Shikotsu is a priority and you are concerned about arranging transport independently. You get a planned visit that includes both daylight at the lake and the festival after dark, plus enough time in Jozankei to choose a style of visit that suits you.
It may be less appealing if you want a fully guided, tightly organized activity at every stop, or if you dislike paying separate fees for the headline extras. The experience is flexible, but that puts some planning on you. Decide on rafting, hot springs, or hiking before departure, and treat the festival admission as an extra in your budget.
Should you book it?
Book this tour if you want a convenient winter day from Sapporo, value a long independent stop in Jozankei, and like the idea of seeing Lake Shikotsu before and after dark. Its strongest points are the transport connection, the freedom to choose your Jozankei activity, and the unusual pairing of snowy lakeside views with illuminated ice.
Skip it if your priority is a fully guided experience or a day with every activity included in the price. If you do book, decide early whether you want the 11:30 rafting session, dress for wet cold, and keep enough cash aside for the festival and any optional stops.
Winter Limited, departure from Sapporo: Jozankei snow scenery tour x Lake Shikotsu Ice Falls Festival night view | Hot spring/rafting/hiking optional & lakeside snow ring play one-day tour
“This plan is more like a group chartered car service, but the stopping time allows you to fully experience the itinerary. The Snow Viewing Rafting…”
FAQ
Where does the tour depart from, and when does it return?
It departs from Sapporo Station at 9:30 am. The scheduled return is to Sapporo Station at about 7:30 pm. Arrive at the departure point at least 10 minutes early.
How much time do I get in Jozankei?
The schedule allows about three and a half hours of free time in Jozankei, starting around 10:30 am. You can choose rafting, a hot spring visit, or a walk in Futami Park.
Do I need to reserve snow rafting in advance?
Yes. The 11:30 rafting session requires advance reservation. The activity fee is extra, and you should follow the rafting guide’s safety instructions.
Is the hot spring visit included in the price?
No. You choose a hot spring hotel, and the bathing fee is your own expense. Meals are not included either.
Is admission to the Lake Shikotsu Ice Falls Festival included?
No. Festival admission costs about 1,000 yen and is paid separately. The tour schedule includes time to see the lake during daylight and attend the illuminated festival.
What is included in the tour price?
Round-trip transfers from the Sapporo meeting point, tolls, parking, fuel, tax, Chinese-language driver or guide service, and snow tubes at Lake Shikotsu are included.
How large is the group?
The listed group size is six to 13 participants. The tour requires at least six participants to operate.
Can children join the tour?
There is no stated age limit. Infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount, and children aged zero and older are charged the same rate as adults.
What should I wear or bring?
Wear a thick windproof and waterproof coat, thermal layers, non-slip snow boots, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Bring spare clothes or socks if you plan to raft or play in the snow. Sunglasses, a power bank, a thermos, and a little cash may also be useful.
