From spring to autumn, Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park is famous for its vast flower fields, but in winter, it transforms into Takino Snow World, a paradise for skiing and snow play! Its massive grounds, equivalent to 85 Tokyo Domes or about 400 hectares, offer a wide range of activities for even the youngest children. Here's our guide to enjoying all that Takino Snow World has to offer!

Takino Snow World is incredibly accessible, just a 45-minute drive from central Sapporo. The 2023-2024 season kicks off on Saturday, December 23rd, just before Christmas, and will be open every single day until it closes on Sunday, March 31st, 2024! What's more, admission is free (parking fees are separate: 420 yen for a standard car, 1,250 yen for a large vehicle), making it an attractive and easy day trip.

Takino Snow World is packed with snow play spots for everyone from children to adults! From classic winter sports like skiing and snowboarding to sliding down one of Japan's longest tube sledding courses and exploring fluffy snow on snowshoes, we'll introduce you to the unique snow activities you can only find at Takino Snow World.

Hopping into a large tube and zipping down the hill is a signature attraction at Takino Snow World! The sledding hill here features six lanes on a 200-meter course, one of the longest in Japan. Once you've borrowed a tube, a rope tow will automatically pull you back to the top.

For younger children who might find the main tube sledding a bit intimidating, there's a smaller, adjacent sledding course. Not only are the tubes free to borrow, but plastic sleds for children are also available free of charge, so you can relax and have fun.

The Family Ski Slope at Takino Snow World features a gentle, 250-meter-long incline. This mild course is perfect for those trying winter sports for the first time! You can rent everything you need, including a 3-piece ski set (skis, poles, boots) and even children's skiwear, so there's no need to bring heavy equipment. The slow-moving two-person chairlift is also ideal for ski and snowboard debuts.

Enjoying cross-country skiing at your own pace is a unique pleasure of the vast Takino Snow World. The park offers six different courses ranging from 1km to 17km with varying difficulty levels, making it enjoyable for everyone from beginners to advanced skiers.

We also recommend walking on Hokkaido's signature fluffy snow with snowshoes. You can freely explore areas that are inaccessible in the summer and experience the Hokkaido winter with all your senses. There are many joys to discover, like finding rabbit and tanuki tracks in the snow or lying down on the soft powder. Another great perk is that you can borrow snowshoes for free at the Forest Information Center in the park's Takino Forest Zone.

If you want to have even more fun in the snow by building snowmen or tunnels, the snow play area in the Takino Forest Zone is the place to be! This area is a playground of untouched, fallen snow, so you can dive right in, have a snowball fight, and play freely.

Takino Snow World is not just for snow play; it's also a hotspot for stunning winter scenery. "Frost flowers," which look like flowers blooming on frozen water, might be visible on mornings after a very cold night. Additionally, you can see "frozen waterfalls," where the falls have turned to ice, at the Ashiribetsu and Masumi waterfalls within the park.

Takino Snow World is so packed with snow activities that a whole day will fly by in a flash! Various events are also held throughout the season. Why not visit Takino Snow World this winter?

Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park / Takino Snow World

■Hours: December 23 (Sat) - March 31, 2024 (Sun) 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
■Fee: Free admission
■Address: 247 Takino, Minami-ku, Sapporo
Click here for details and map information for "Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park / Takino Snow World"