While winter can be bone-shivering cold, it’s also one of the most beautiful times of year in Japan. And Hokkaido is the place to go for a real winter wonderland experience, with places like Hoshino Resort Tomamu opening dreamy ice hotels that you can actually spend a night in.
Hoshino Resort Tomamu's stunning ice hotel will be open from January 20 to February 28 2024 at Shimukappu Village, where the hotel is part of the area’s winter Ice Village. During the beginning of the year, temperatures in Shimukappu can drop to a freezing -30 degrees Celsius, an ideal climate for a hotel made entirely of ice. The Ice Village consists of 11 special ice domes, but only one is open for overnight stays.
The room, with space for two people, is constructed inside a dome-shaped ice hut where the ceiling, walls and furniture are all made of ice. To help keep you warm throughout the night, sleeping bags and fuzzy blankets will be provided to keep you nice and cosy until morning comes around. The room also comes with amenities like speakers, candles and books to keep you occupied. There's even an open-air bath surrounded by ice.
Of course, your hotel experience wouldn’t be complete without a dinner. The stay includes a warming meal of clam chowder made with Hokkaido seafood as well as a midnight snack later into the evening.
This year, the ice village is also bringing back its full-fledged ice bar where you can order over 50 types of cocktails served in chilly ice glasses.
The resort has also teamed up with local convenience store chain Seicomart for a special ice konbini, where you can purchase snacks and drinks.
Feeling adventurous? You can sign up for ice zip-lining (¥2,000 per person) to take you from the observation deck to the other side over the picturesque skating rink. You can also rent skates and glide around the village's expansive skating area while admiring the surrounding scenery. Skate rental is ¥1,200 per person (¥600 for elementary school students).
Hoshino Resort Tomamu's Ice Hotel will open from January 20 to February 28 2024 and costs ¥28,000 per person per night. More information here.
Love the snow? Check out these top ski destinations in Japan.
This article was published on January 19 2022 and updated on December 12 2023.
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