Winter at the popular Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU features the magical ice town, "Ice Village," and the breathtaking "Muhyo Terrace." The Ice Village, with its ice restaurants, chapel, and hotel, is a winter tradition unique to Tomamu. At the "Muhyo Terrace," you can enjoy a spectacular view from an altitude of 1,088 meters. Here's a detailed guide to enjoying the best of winter in Tomamu at the Ice Village and Muhyo Terrace!

The Chapel on Ice in the Ice Village

Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU, a popular resort destination for many tourists, is about a 90-minute JR train ride from New Chitose Airport, followed by a shuttle bus from JR Tomamu Station. It's not just for skiing and snowboarding; the "Ice Village" we're introducing today is an ice town with 11 domes made of ice and snow, and it's incredibly popular with visitors every year.

Inside the ice domes, you'll find a bar, a sweets shop, a ramen restaurant, a general store, a post office, and a boutique—all with walls, chairs, and tables made entirely of ice and snow. There's even an ice rink for skating, a "Chapel on Ice" where weddings are held, and an "Ice Hotel" where you can stay overnight, all constructed from ice. This event runs until March 14, 2025.

Inside the "Ice Ramen Restaurant"

Now, let's take a closer look at the facilities and experiences you can enjoy at the Ice Village! First up are the unique culinary delights and the magical, stylish bar.

Ice Ramen, gyoza, and beer

At the "Ice Ramen Restaurant," you can savor "Ice Ramen" and "Gyoza" served in bowls made of ice. The ramen is, of course, "cold," not "hot," with a slightly rich flavor and a sherbet-like kelp broth that is surprisingly refreshing. The crisp, firm texture of the naruto fish cake and boiled egg adds a nice accent. The portion is about one-third the size of a regular ramen, so it's easy to try.

The texture of the boiled egg is a new sensation

On the other hand, the gyoza dumplings are "hot." When you dip them in the frozen gyoza sauce, you'll experience a curious deliciousness as the crunchy, cold texture of the sauce and the piping hot gyoza mingle perfectly in your mouth. Be sure to enjoy a beer with your ramen and gyoza! Poured into an ice glass, the beer is chilled to perfection for a crisp, refreshing taste.

By the way, while the tables and chairs are all made of ice, the chairs have rugs on them, so you won't feel the cold directly. Still, since the temperature is below freezing, ski wear or other warm, waterproof clothing is highly recommended.

"Bar on Ice"

If you enjoy a drink, head to the "Bar on Ice." The sight of the ice bar counter with rows of liquor bottles behind it is exhilarating. Among the more than 50 menu items, the recommended choice is the ice fruit cocktail made with frozen fruit. Available in mixed berry, orange, and kiwi, these colorful cocktails served in ice glasses are perfect for photos.

Fruit cocktail at the "Bar on Ice"

For those with a sweet tooth, the Sweets Shop on Ice offers frozen cake and ice cream soda. The cake is delicious even when frozen, and as it melts slightly in your mouth, the flavor changes and the sweetness becomes more pronounced. If you're feeling chilled to the bone, you can also get hot coffee, tea, or marshmallows to roast over an outdoor bonfire. The cakes can also be taken back to your hotel room.

Frozen cake and ice cream soda

You can even hold a wedding ceremony at the "Chapel on Ice"

The highlights of the Ice Village aren't just about food and drinks! Here, we'll introduce the various facilities, including the popular "Ice Hotel" where you can actually stay, the Chapel on Ice, the boutique, and more.

Aside from the door, almost everything, including the ice bed, is made of ice!

For those seeking a truly unique winter experience, how about a stay at the "Ice Hotel"? This special space is a dome made from a single, seamless piece of ice, where only one group of up to two people can stay per day. The ceiling, chairs, and bed are all made of ice!

Additionally, the open-air bath, exclusive to Ice Hotel guests, is also made entirely of ice, except for the tub itself. Near the bath, there's a changing area and a warm hut. At night, you'll sleep in a sleeping bag designed for cold climates, making it surprisingly comfortable! I've stayed there myself, and I was so engrossed in the unique experience that I barely felt the cold. It's popular every year, so book early if you want to stay!

The ultimate hidden bath! An ice open-air bath only for hotel guests.

An image of the "Chapel on Ice"

A must-see at the Ice Village is the "Chapel on Ice." As you ascend the gentle ice staircase and approach the chapel, the lively and fun atmosphere of the Ice Village gives way to a solemn air. The altar, cross, virgin road, and chairs are all made of ice and snow. It is constructed from a single, seamless piece of ice, embodying the wish that "the pure feelings of two people will last forever without interruption."

The "Boutique on Ice" also has costumes for children

The "Boutique on Ice," complete with a show window, offers rentals of pure white coats for men and women and accessories that change color with the temperature, perfect for a commemorative photo in the ice town!

At the "General Store on Ice," you'll find crafts like accessories and mugs with snow and ice themes displayed on ice shelves, making it a great place to find souvenirs. The "Post Office on Ice" sells postcards whose designs change with the temperature. Write a message, drop it in the ice postbox, and it can be sent anywhere in the world without a stamp.

An image of the "General Store on Ice"

Step outside the ice domes and you'll find an ice slide. There's a short one for small children and a long one for both kids and adults (for those 130cm or taller). The long slide starts from an observation deck overlooking the Ice Village, offering a great view, but it's surprisingly fast, leaving you with little time to admire the scenery—it's a thrilling ride! You can let loose and feel like a kid again.

Marshmallows to roast over the bonfire

If you visit Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU in winter, you absolutely must experience the "Muhyo Terrace." You can reach this scenic spot via a single ride on the Unkai Gondola from the base of Mt. Tomamu to near the summit at 1,088 meters. In summer, this same location is famous as the "Unkai Terrace."

"Cloud Walk" at the Muhyo Terrace

On a clear day, the terrace offers a magnificent view of Tomamu's pure white forest below and the majestic Hidaka Mountains in the distance. Depending on the weather, you might also witness rare phenomena like "muhyo" (rime ice), where water vapor or fog freezes onto the trees, or even "diamond dust."

The view from "Cloud Bar" is exhilarating!

The "Muhyo Terrace" features observation spots like the "Cloud Bar" and "Cloud Walk" to make viewing the silver landscape even more enjoyable—they're definitely picture-perfect! Inside the building where you get off the gondola, you'll find the "Kumo Cafe," where you can enjoy the "Muhyo Terrace Afternoon Tea" and more.

Image of the Muhyo Terrace Afternoon Tea

The afternoon tea at "Kumo Cafe" features eight types of sweets and savories inspired by rime ice and snowy mountains, served on a stand designed to look like the "Cloud Walk." Along with chocolates and desserts, there's a unique shrimp fritter sandwich. This is because the way rime ice grows into the wind is sometimes called "ebi no shippo" (shrimp tail).

For drinks, try the "Muhyo Cream Coffee," inspired by rime ice. Enjoy it by melting the fluffy cream and delicate spun sugar. The "Kumo Cafe" is a cozy, warm cafe where you can enjoy afternoon tea while gazing at the snowy scenery outside from certain seats.

Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU is packed with many other unique winter activities and experiences! Of course, you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding on the powder snow slopes, but there are also plenty of thrilling activities like snowshoeing, snowmobiling, snow rafting, and banana boat rides on the snowfields. For those who prefer to relax and enjoy the winter scenery, the "Ski-in Ski-out Kotatsu Lounge" and the "Muhyo Terrace" are highly recommended.

Hearty portions of large crab legs, octopus legs, and more! Enjoy them with crab miso.

At "Hotalu Street," a dining area with ski-in/ski-out access, you'll find special outdoor "kotatsu" (heated tables)! Here, you can warm up in a kotatsu while savoring oden with a kelp broth featuring seafood and mountain vegetables. Although located mid-slope on the mountain, it's easily accessible via a connecting walkway from the hotel, allowing you to enjoy this unique experience with ease.

Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU has so much charm year-round that it's hard to describe it all! The winter attractions are just as plentiful, and a single night's stay is hardly enough. Come and enjoy the unique winter experiences that only this place can offer, like the "Ice Village" and "Muhyo Terrace"!

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