Hoshino Resorts Tomamu

An all-in-one resort in the mountains of central Hokkaido: see the sea of clouds from the Unkai Terrace in summer, ski powder snow and explore the Ice Village in winter, with Tadao Ando's Church on the Water set in the forest.

Hoshino Resorts Tomamu lies in the forested mountains of Shimukappu Village in central Hokkaido, at the northern end of the Hidaka Mountains. Run by Hoshino Resorts, it is a large all-in-one resort made up of two high-rise hotel complexes — The Tower and RISONARE — along with a ski area, a dining street and a range of facilities, and guests usually spend the whole day within the resort. From summer to autumn (mid-May to mid-October), the star attraction is the Unkai Terrace: take the gondola in the early morning up to the viewing deck at about 1,088 m, and with luck you'll see a sea of clouds rolling beneath your feet. There are also outdoor activities such as hot-air balloon rides, a farm and forest walks, and the mountains turn red with autumn foliage from late September to early October. In winter (December–March), Tomamu is famous for its dry powder snow; the ski area spans two peaks and suits families and beginner to intermediate skiers. At night, the Ice Village features an ice bar and ice chapel built from snow and ice, while the indoor Mina-Mina Beach wave pool is open year-round. Tadao Ando's Church on the Water stands quietly in the forest and is a must for architecture lovers. Getting there: Limited Express Ozora trains stop at Tomamu Station on the JR Sekisho Line, about 1.5 hours from Sapporo and about 1.5 hours from New Chitose Airport, with a free shuttle bus from the station; by car, it's about 5 minutes from the Tomamu IC on the Doto Expressway. Plan to stay 2–3 nights: one night for the sea of clouds or the Ice Village, and a day for skiing or the wave pool. With a car, you can also visit the Karikachi Pass observatory and Ikutora Station, a filming location for the movie Poppoya (Railroad Man), or combine Tomamu with Furano, Biei or Tokachi-Obihiro. Note: prices within the resort are on the high side, and restaurants require reservations in peak season; winter temperatures often drop below −20°C, and the Unkai Terrace closes in strong winds.

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