During our stay at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu ski resort, we were very excited to be given the opportunity to visit the world-famous Tomamu Ice Village. This amazing attraction is open during winter, and is a such a wonderful place to visit with the family.

No time to read? Watch the YouTube video of our Tomamu Ice Village, Japan visit here

Before you visit, be sure to rug-up and dress everyone in warm ski clothes. The temperature here has been known to reach as low as -30°C!

To get to the Ice Village is a quick shuttle bus ride from your accommodation at the Tomamu Risonare, then a short walk from the Hotel Alpha, or The Tower accommodation in Tomamu.

The entrance to the Ice Village is a spectacular ice archway. It leads you into a mystical path lined with glowing lanterns and light installations. As you crest a small hill covered with glowing totems, you can hear classical music playing softly. A gorgeous white and blue-lit village materialises as if by magic – however this is no mirage. It’s a real, working village made of ice!

An ice skating rink and ice chutes for the children to slide down are the first exciting activities you encounter. When you manage to drag your kids away from the ice slides, you can actually wander into the Ice Village and explore!

The Ice Village is made up of groups of individual ice and snow huts. Inside them is so much to discover!

One of the huts houses the Ice Hotel, a room containing an ice bed, ice furniture and even a chandelier. Incredibly, you can book to stay in the Ice Hotel overnight!

The Ice Village shops have real souvenirs for sale on their ice shelves. At first, it’s hard to realise that these places are operating stores – it’s all so other-worldly.

There’s a fascinating ski clothing store decorated with frozen clothes set in giant blocks of ice. You can’t help but wonder how they managed to make them!

Next door is the flower shop, decorated with beautiful flower displays – also frozen in huge blocks of ice! They need to be seen to be believed.

A domed church presides over the village. This is the Ice Chapel with a stunningly lit blue cross and spires.

Have fun in the “magic breath” exhibit, where you can breathe onto projected lights to make the displays visible in a beam of mist.

There are ice cafes where you can order special drinks and snacks – you can even toast marshmallows over the fire.

There is a room filled with incredible ice musical instruments – they look almost too delicate to exist!

Make some time to have a read at the Ice Book Café too. It is filled with shelves of books and ice seats to lounge on around a cosy fireplace. 

If you’d prefer a stronger drink, there’s always the Ice Bar which serves all kinds of cocktails – at the very least drop in for a look at it’s huge ice shelf display of bottles.

The Tomamu Ice Village is just another outstanding reason to visit Hoshino Resorts Tomamu. If you want to take your family to see something amazing they will always remember, then take them to see the Tomamu Ice Village.

Fast facts!

Where: Near Hoshino Resorts The Tower, Tomamu, Hokkaido, Japan

When: Winter – December to March

Time: 1700-2200 every night

Price: 500 yen per entrance ticket

Confirm the seasonal opening dates and times, plus find out more at the Hoshino Resorts Tomamu official website here.

Have you ever visited an amazing attraction in your travels, like the Ice Village? Tell us in the comments below…

All information and prices are correct as at April 2019 – please check the official website link above for relevant, up to date information.

Let’s go Mum were hosted guests of Hoshino Resorts Tomamu including the Ice Village, however all opinions remain firmly our own.

The post The amazing Japanese Ice Village – Hoshino Resorts Tomamu appeared first on Let's go Mum.