The travel series "Discover Japan With Insta360," which launched at the end of 2025, has made its way through Okinawa, Kyushu, and Tohoku before reaching its final destination: Hokkaido. The location chosen for this closing chapter was the Tomamu and Bibai area during the height of winter.
Against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains and ice art installations, a group of creators documented Hokkaido's winter scenery using the Insta360 X5, Ace Pro 2, and GO Ultra cameras. Combining 360-degree panoramic footage with high-definition action video, the team captured footage that conveys the raw cold of the season with striking realism.
DAY 1: Ice Village – Tomamu's Winter Tradition
After traveling from New Chitose Airport to Tomamu, the group visited the Ice Village at Risonare Tomamu (Hoshino Resorts Tomamu), a winter fixture at the resort.
Even in sub-zero temperatures, the Insta360 cameras, including the X5, maintained stable performance. Ice domes, an ice bar, and shimmering illuminations were all captured from angles unique to 360-degree cameras, fitting entire spaces within a single frame. By using an invisible selfie stick, the team achieved a third-person perspective that made shots appear to float in mid-air, recording creators walking through the Ice Village alongside the dreamlike scenery around them.
DAY 2: Full-Scale Snow Activities at Alpen Snow Land Bibai
On the second day, the group moved from Tomamu to Bibai to visit Alpen Snow Land Bibai. Snow activities played out against the vast, white landscape, and despite less-than-ideal weather conditions, the team managed to capture a sunset they had nearly given up on.
Dynamic scenes from the snow activities were also filmed using Antigravity's drone "A1," recording creators racing across the silver terrain from an aerial perspective in immersive 360-degree panoramic video. The sweeping scale of Hokkaido's wide-open fields was captured in full, conveying the area's overwhelming sense of space.
DAY 3: A Frost-Rimmed Terrace at Dawn
On the final morning, the group boarded a gondola early to reach the Frost Terrace at Risonare Tomamu. The snow-white world glowing in the morning light, with sparkling snowflakes drifting through the air, created a truly magical scene.
Shooting with the X5 made it possible to preserve every corner of the sweeping view that filled the entire field of vision. The ability to decide on framing freely after the fact makes 360-degree panoramic footage an ideal tool for capturing stunning landscapes.
Later in the day, the team also experienced horseback riding through the snowy terrain. The GO Ultra handled POV shooting while the X5 captured the surrounding scenery.
Immersive Footage from Japan's Northern Land
The Insta360 cameras held up reliably even in sub-zero conditions throughout the three-day trip. The X5 delivered immersive 360-degree panoramic video, the Ace Pro 2 produced high-detail imagery, and the GO Ultra captured hands-free POV footage in 4K.
With Hokkaido serving as the final stage for "Discover Japan With Insta360," the series wrapped up with three days where winter wilderness and technology came together.
