The Furano Ice Festival, made famous by Japanese dramas, along with skiing and hot springs, makes winter in Furano even more lively

Written/Reported by Li Xinyi

Hokkaido has become Japan’s top ski destination due to its low temperatures, long snow season, and high-quality powder snow — lighter than the moisture-heavy, quick-melting snow found on Honshu. This year marks the 100th anniversary of skiing activities in Hokkaido. To attract Taiwanese travelers, local operators have introduced shuttle buses from the airport to ski resorts that align with Taiwan flight schedules, catering to independent travelers. For those wanting to visit Furano, made famous by the Japanese drama “From the Northern Country,” direct flights to Asahikawa began on February 5, which is also about an hour and a half closer by car compared to New Chitose Airport. In addition, starting now, the Furano Tourism Bureau has built a winter wonderland called Furano Kan Kan Mura at the ski site, featuring an ice bar, dragon-shaped ice sculptures, snow banana boats, and hot air balloons. The event will run until March 11.

Skiing is relatively unfamiliar to many Taiwanese, but this unique winter sport can be addictive once you try it. Hokkaido is famed for its powder snow and long ski season, which runs from late November through April — in colder areas like Daisetsuzan, it can last until May. To celebrate the start of the snow season, various ski resorts and tourism operators in Hokkaido are offering special deals and events to attract visitors. For example, Seven Resort offers all-you-can-eat king crab and snow crab, the Furano Tourism Bureau has launched Furano Kan Kan Mura, and White-Liner is a shuttle bus service connecting the airport, Sapporo, and various ski areas. This year, it has specially aligned its schedule with flights from Taipei arriving at New Chitose Airport operated by EVA Air, China Airlines, and Cathay Pacific, offering direct shuttles to Niseko to make things easier for independent travelers. There are also shuttles from New Chitose Airport and Asahikawa Airport to Furano. For more schedules, please check online — reservations are required for all services.

Furano is located in a central basin in Hokkaido, where the snow is lighter than at coastal ski resorts nearby. The resort area recently held a 50th-anniversary fireworks celebration in February, but this lovely town is best known as the filming location of the classic drama “From the Northern Country,” written by renowned playwright Kon Ichikawa. The entire series was shot in Furano, attracting fans from across Japan, as well as from Taiwan and Hong Kong. Later, Ichikawa also filmed “A Scene at the Sea” in Furano, and the café “Morizō no Tokei” (Forest Clock), built for the drama, is located in the forest of the New Furano Prince Hotel. Not far from the café is a stone-built bar called “Soh’s Bar.” Coupled with the seasonal Furano Kan Kan Mura, a winter trip to Furano for skiing offers a rich variety of experiences.

During the day, you can go skiing, then in the afternoon head to “Morizō no Tokei” to enjoy freshly ground coffee brewed by yourself; next, visit the art village to see handmade silver jewelry and wooden crafts by local artists; in the evening, stop by the ice bar at Furano Kan Kan Mura for drinks or relax in the tranquil atmosphere of “Soh’s Bar” in the forest, and finally unwind in the hotel’s outdoor hot spring. The nightlife at a ski resort can be even livelier than in the city.

White-Liner schedule inquiry website: www.goodsports.co.jp

Celebration footage of Furano Ski Resort’s 50th-anniversary fireworks show: