Ice Village, a town of snow and ice at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, a nature wonder resort where guests can feel the land of Hokkaido, opens on December 20, 2026. The village is planned to stay open through March 10, 2027. It is made up of 11 domes built from snow and ice, a town that is possible thanks to Tomamu's cold, which can reach minus 20°C.
This winter, three new experiences join the lineup. A concert with the sound of the hyokin (氷琴), an instrument made of ice, and a choir's singing will be held in the seamless single-block Ice Chapel. Afternoon tea will be served in the Ice Hotel, where everything is made of ice. A new Ice Photo Studio lets visitors take photos that look as if they have stepped into a world of ice.
Ice Village, a Town of Snow and Ice
Ice Village appears only on winter nights each year and has become a seasonal tradition at Tomamu. On a site of 3.2 hectares, 11 domes made of snow and ice stand side by side, including an Ice Bar and an Ice Restaurant.
The Ice Chapel and the Ice Hotel stand at the far end of the town. Their ceilings and walls are made of a single block of ice, and the two buildings are the symbols of Ice Village. Since its debut in the winter of 1998, Ice Village has continued to offer ways to enjoy the cold.
1. Ice Chapel Concert, With Ice Instruments and Voices (New)
The Ice Chapel, the symbol of Ice Village, stands at the far end of the ice town. Built entirely of snow and ice, it appears for only one month, and more than 680 couples have held their weddings here so far. This winter, the sacred space hosts a new Ice Chapel Concert.
The seamless single-block space shuts out sounds from outside, wrapping the chapel in a crisp stillness that makes instruments and voices ring out more beautifully. The sound of the hyokin (氷琴), an instrument made of ice, and the clear voices of a choir fill the single-block space, offering a moment where silence and music come together.
- Period: January 20 to February 14, 2027
- Time: 8:00 PM to 8:15 PM
- Reservations: Not required
- Price: Free (Ice Village admission is separate)
2. Ice Afternoon Tea in the Ice Hotel, Available for About One Month (New)
In the Ice Hotel, the ceiling, walls and even the furniture are made of real ice. The seamless single-block space is wrapped in silence. For about one month, afternoon tea themed around Ice Village, the town woven from snow and ice, is served here.
The top tier holds the "Ice Prism Jelly" (氷のプリズムジュレ), a jelly with a clear shine that evokes sparkling ice. The bottom tier holds scones served with clotted cream that represents ice crystals. All seven kinds of tea foods are presented on a stand made entirely of ice. Guests can spend their tea time surrounded by ice.
- Period: January 20 to February 20, 2027
- Time: 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM (40 minutes each)
- Price: ¥7,500 per person
- Capacity: One party per session (up to 2 people per party)
- Reservations: Accepted on the official website (https://www.snowtomamu.jp) up to 3 days in advance
- Eligibility: Open to both hotel guests and day visitors
- Note: Menu items and ingredients may change in part depending on supplies.
3. Ice Photo Studio, for a Shot Inside a World of Ice (New)
The new Ice Photo Studio is a spot for taking a picture with a world of ice as the backdrop. The space is decorated with ice, including an ice mural depicting Hokkaido animals, so photos look as if the subject has stepped into a world of ice.
At the neighboring Ice Boutique, visitors can rent costumes to wear for photos at the studio. The photos can also be turned into original postcards, which can be mailed from the "Ice Postman" (氷の郵便屋), so memories of time spent in Ice Village can be given a form and sent off.
- Time: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (last costume rental at 9:00 PM)
- Admission: Free
- Costume rental (1 hour) plus one original postcard: ¥1,500
Ice Village Overview
- Period: December 20, 2026 to March 10, 2027 (planned)
- Admission: ¥600 (ages 7 and up, tax included). Free for guests staying at Tomamu The Tower or Risonare Tomamu
- Hours: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (last entry at 9:30 PM)
- Location: Within the Hoshino Resorts Tomamu grounds
- Eligibility: Open to both hotel guests and day visitors
- Note: Operating hours and offerings may change depending on supplies and weather.
About Hoshino Resorts Tomamu
Located almost in the center of Hokkaido, Hoshino Resorts Tomamu is a stay-focused resort built around two hotels, Tomamu The Tower and Risonare Tomamu. Guests can enjoy activities that let them experience Hokkaido throughout the four seasons.
At Risonare Tomamu, every suite exceeds 100 m² and comes with an observation jet bath and a private sauna. The resort's concept is "Graceful Stay Feeling the Land of Hokkaido" (北海道の大地を感じるグレイスフルステイ). In the green season, highlights include the Sea of Clouds Terrace and the Farm Area. In winter, a ski area with 29 courses and Ice Village, a town of snow and ice, add to the attractions.
- Address: Naka Tomamu, Shimukappu Village, Yufutsu District, Hokkaido 079-2204
- Phone: 0167-58-1111 (main line)
- Rooms: 735 (Tomamu The Tower: 535 rooms, Risonare Tomamu: 200 rooms)
- Check-in / Check-out: 3:00 PM / 11:00 AM
- Rates: From ¥13,100 per night at Tomamu The Tower and from ¥26,300 per night at Risonare Tomamu (per person, based on two guests sharing a room; tax and service charge included; breakfast included)
- Access: About 100 minutes by car from New Chitose Airport, or about 90 minutes by JR (transfer required; a free shuttle bus runs from Tomamu Station, no reservation needed)
- Website: https://www.snowtomamu.jp
