Hoshino Resorts Tomamu The Tower Review 2026: Hokkaido Winter Escape

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Hoshino Resorts Tomamu The Tower

On my recent trip to Sapporo, I also visited Hoshino Resorts Tomamu~

Since there aren't many well-organized reviews out there, I'm going to give you the most detailed breakdown possible!

I've put together all the best tips and tricks at the end!

The destination I was most excited for on this Sapporo trip!

None other than Hoshino Resorts Tomamu!

Hoshino Resorts Tomamu is a resort part of Hoshino, Japan's luxury resort and hotel brand,

and it's located in Shimukappu, Hokkaido.

Situated in a region that gets a lot of snow,

it's a popular spot for expedition skiing and all sorts of other winter activities like skiing and snowboarding.

I'd heard it was well-known among Koreans and received quite a few visitors from Korea,

but when I visited, there were hardly any Koreans. It was mostly Japanese, Chinese, and Westerners, which I actually loved because it felt even more like an international getaway!

Living in Busan, where we rarely see snow, we were completely enchanted by Hoshino Resorts Tomamu with its diverse range of activities, and we booked it right away upon seeing it..!! 💬💭

I booked a Twin Room for 1 night, costing ~$375.

Honestly, it wasn't the cheapest price, but!

I was totally satisfied because of the wide range of experiences available and the breakfast included!!!!🧡

🏷️ Hokkaido is globally renowned as a winter travel destination, so naturally,

prices can climb to over ~$526 - ~$751 later on, which is why I highly recommend booking in advance!

I suggest booking early and then, if you find a lower price later, taking advantage of price guarantee programs to get cashback! (I used this method too! vV)

<Check Agoda for the best prices and book now!>

📍 Hoshino Resorts Tomamu The Tower
Nakatomamu, Shimukappu, Yufutsu District, Hokkaido 079-2204 Japan

It's located about an hour and a half away from Sapporo city center.

Aside from renting a car, your transportation options include a resort bus or the JR rapid train.

For your information, the resort bus costs ¥6,500 for a one-way trip from Sapporo and ¥5,500 for a one-way trip from the airport,

and you can book it on the Hokkaido Resort Liner website.

I used the JR train from Sapporo Station!

I booked it online via their website,

and since the train going there was the first one of the day, it was completely empty. The return train, however, was quite crowded due to checkout times.

Just so you know, when you arrive at Tomamu Station, a shuttle bus will be waiting for you right on schedule!

After a 10-minute ride on the shuttle bus, you'll reach the resort~!

(When there were a lot of people, there was even a truck to help with luggage, which was super convenient!)

⭐️Remember, you need to issue a physical ticket after booking to use the train!

Trains to Tomamu don't run very frequently, so missing one could be a big hassle. I recommend getting your ticket issued in advance at Sapporo Station!

(Tomamu Station is an unmanned station, so there's no separate ticket issuing system there!)

We even got our return tickets issued in advance at Sapporo Station, but it turns out you can also issue them inside The Tower building at the resort!)

The room I booked was a Twin Room in The Tower.

It came with two beds, a small table and chairs, and a bathroom tucked inside!

It wasn't super spacious, but it was definitely big enough to stay in comfortably.

What I especially loved were the snowy views from my room!! ☃️

It's like a winter wonderland, isn't it?~🤭🫢

Just a heads-up, the resort offered us an upgrade to a 5-person room...!

But it was on the 3rd floor with a ski rental view...? So, we declined the upgrade and stuck with our original room. (On the 32nd floor!)

​

Additionally, the luxurious RISONARE, where all rooms are suites with jacuzzis, is also incredibly popular!

💭 Personally, if you're only going for one night, I wonder if it might be a bit of a waste since you'd be too busy with experiences to spend time in the room? However,

as a jacuzzi lover, it really does sound like pure bliss..!!🧡 (I'll definitely go next time!)

<Book RISONARE Tomamu Link (Agoda)>

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The resort's official website states that one night isn't enough, and they recommend stays of two nights or more. After my visit, I totally understood why!

One night is definitely not enough to enjoy everything the resort has to offer! There were so many activities that I really felt you need at least two nights to truly experience it all.

In addition to the experiences at the main facilities described below, there are many other activities available, so I highly recommend compiling a list of your desired experiences before you go and making the most of your visit!

• Skiing/Snowboarding (Rental fee applies)

All ski-related equipment is available for rent, and renting a helmet/hat + skis + boots together

cost about ~$53 for 5 hours! (If you're using a card, you can charge it to your room!)

Guests receive a free pass for the gondola, allowing them to ski without purchasing a separate lift ticket!

However, if you want to use the lift ticket areas, you'll need to purchase a separate ticket-!

Here's a sweet tip!

🏷️ While there's a ski rental shop at The Tower as well, the gondola area requires a shuttle bus ride,

so renting equipment at the gondola area makes things a bit more convenient for you!! (Brands may vary)

💭 I absolutely *never* ski due to my safety concerns/over-sensitivity(?)... 💬

But according to someone who did ski, the powder snow is great! There are trees! The courses are varied and long... in short, it's fantastic!

• Unkai Terrace / KUMO CAFE

The Unkai Terrace, which is the resort's top photo spot, is located at an altitude of over 1000m,

and can only be reached by gondola (Gondola is free for guests)

• Note: Outdoor zones like the Cloud Walk at Unkai Terrace operate only in the morning!

(I couldn't go because I suddenly caught a cold, which was a shame 🥹)

KUMO CAFE was open, so I went! (I went twice)

I also tried their famous Cloud Ice Cream~!

(I caught a cold eating this in the cold weather) Keep in mind that it's surprisingly crowded, making it hard to find a seat, and even indoors, it gets very cold due to the high altitude!

​

• Mina-Mina Beach / Open-Air Bath (Free for guests)

The pool was a truly special and beautiful space, thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows!

Despite bringing my swimsuit, I couldn't visit due to time constraints, which was one of my biggest regrets...!

Next to the pool is an open-air bath called Kirin-no-yu,

and soaking in a true open-air bath amidst snowy mountains was absolutely wonderful! (It's not a hot spring area, so the water isn't natural hot spring water)

💭 Since I planned to use the open-air bath, The Tower was perfectly sufficient for me! Of course, RISONARE's jacuzzis are private, but still...!!

• Ice Village (Free for guests)

Hoshino Resort Tomamu is so vast that it even boasts its own Ice Village!

You can enjoy activities like outdoor ice skating and slides, and even experience staying in an igloo.

I even tried the ice ramen (can't guarantee the taste, but it was a fun experience!), and it was so cold I had to warm up with some hot chocolate!!

Just a heads-up, the food prices in the Ice Village can be a bit steep compared to other places (a single marshmallow was ~$4).

Beyond that, there's also free sledding, and paid activities like horseback riding, snowmobiling, a fish cake bar, and more sledding!

I recommend checking the website to find your favorite activities and enjoy them to the fullest!

(💭 For me, even the free sledding was plenty of fun!!)

🏷️ Just a note, this was the coldest place I've ever been...!! Felt like -20°C (or colder)! Make sure to bundle up!

• Dining

Given how massive the resort is, there's an incredible variety of dining options!

From hotel-operated restaurants and buffets to upscale dining and casual eateries (like ramen and soup curry), you'll find plenty to choose from.

For some restaurants, I recommend making a reservation in advance, and be aware that casual restaurants often have long waits! (Think an hour for ramen, 30+ minutes for soup curry).

🏷️ In particular, I highly recommend reserving a spot at Buffet 'HAL' before your stay! You can enjoy a hotel-style buffet here that offers even better value than in Korea!

(I couldn't go because it was fully booked on the day I tried ㅠㅠ)

For breakfast, we could choose from three restaurants, and we opted for Nininupuri because we loved its panoramic window view!

💭 The most popular item is Nininupuri's French toast!

Next up, it seems many people enjoy the Kaisen-don (seafood rice bowl)!

The breakfast buffet quality was actually better than I expected, so I ended up having quite a satisfying meal!!

• Lounge

The Lounge (The Tower) is on the first floor, offering a selection of beverages like wine (or perhaps champagne? available only in the evenings), other drinks, and coffee.

It was great to have a spacious area to relax in and enjoy the snowy views.

• Shuttle Bus

Since the resort is so massive, you'll often find yourself using the shuttle bus to get around within the premises.

I highly recommend checking the shuttle bus schedule for each area before you travel.

• Important Note

Just so you know, there isn't a *real* convenience store. There's a supermarket-like store inside, but it doesn't have a huge variety of products, so keep that in mind...

(They have things like beer, cup noodles, drinks, and snacks, but the selection isn't extensive.) If there's something specific you really want, make sure to bring it with you!

<Book the lowest price on Agoda now!>

Agoda Official Site | Free Cancellation & Discount Deals | Over 2 Million Accommodations3ha.in

Hoshino Resort Tomamu, highly recommended!

1. If you dream of a special Sapporo trip!

2. If you want to fully experience winter in Hokkaido!

3. If you're looking to enjoy skiing and other winter activities abroad!

Tips for Your Visit

✔ ️It's located in the mountains, so it gets very cold.

Dress warmly!

✔️ Research activities in advance to save time.

✔️ Take a photo of the shuttle bus schedule and keep it handy.

✔️ Arrive early and start experiencing the resort before check-in.

(Guest benefits are available from the check-in day)

<Check the lowest price and book on Trip.com>

<Check the lowest price and book on HotelsCombined!>

Well then, I hope you have a wonderful winter Hokkaido trip..!!

For your reference, Hoshino Resorts Tomamu isn't just for winter,

it's also a fantastic place to connect with nature and relax amidst lush greenery in summer! (The prices in summer are cheaper than in winter too!)

I'm already making a vow to visit again on my next summer trip to Sapporo..!! Goodbye!

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