Explore Hokkaido with your family near New Chitose Airport — enjoy snow parks, hot springs, and local delicacies!

Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert

Located in the suburbs of Sapporo,New Chitose Airportwelcomes tens of thousands of passengers daily, earning it the nickname “Gateway to Hokkaido.” Not only does the airport boast numerous and enticing duty-free shops, but the attractions and cuisine around New Chitose Airport are also not to be missed. This time, we’ll introduce you to a lesser-known spot near Sapporo — Eniwa. Discover how to enjoy the nearby snow parks, hot springs, and local specialties in a short time near New Chitose Airport!

“Eniwa” might sound unfamiliar, but it’s actually located midway between New Chitose Airport and central Sapporo, with both places just under an hour’s drive away. Blessed with vast snowy landscapes and abundant natural hot springs, it has gradually gained recognition in recent years as a popular travel destination on the outskirts of Sapporo. Why not visit before it becomes widely known among Taiwanese travelers and enjoy the serene beauty of Hokkaido’s snowy scenery all to yourself?

Eniwa Attractions Near Sapporo (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)

The most captivating winter sight is the snowscape. When visiting the suburbs of Sapporo, you must experience Eniwa Snow Land Rurumappu at least once. Here, you can try banana boat rides, drift boats, sports activities, snow sleds, and inner tubes. The best part? You don’t need to bring your own cold-weather gear or equipment — everything is available for rent on-site. If skiing isn’t your thing, head to Eniwa Snow Park to enjoy the snow!

At Eniwa Snow Land Rurumappu, the most popular and exciting activity is the snow banana boat. Feel the thrill of speeding across the snowy terrain — it’s truly an unforgettable winter experience. If you’re visiting Eniwa near Sapporo and haven’t tried this, you haven’t really experienced Hokkaido!

■ Operating Months: December to March (next year)
■ Operating Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
■ Ticket Price: Adults 1,500 JPY, Children 1,000 JPY

Eniwa Snow Play Experience Near Sapporo (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)

If you’re in Hokkaido just to relax and don’t want to exert yourself in the snow, why not soak in the “Eniwa Natural Moor Hot Spring” for a beautifying bath? Moor hot spring is a heritage of Hokkaido and acts as a natural skin toner, rich in plant-based organic matter. While you soak, it helps beautify your skin — enjoying relaxation while nourishing your body.

Eniwa Moor Natural Hot Spring Near Sapporo (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)

Additionally, there are saltwater baths and bedrock baths to help relieve muscle stiffness and improve blood circulation. After a long flight from New Chitose Airport, consider unwinding with a soak in the natural Moor hot spring beauty bath in Eniwa to relax your tired body.

■ Operating Months: Year-round
■ Operating Hours: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
■ Ticket Price: Adults 400 JPY / Elementary school students 140 JPY

Eniwa Bedrock Bath Near Sapporo (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)

Beyond winter-specific activities, Eniwa boasts beautiful scenery all year round. Especially in summer, when flowers bloom vibrantly in outdoor gardens. After the “Eniwa Garden Competition” was held in the summer of 1991, Eniwa earned the nickname “City of Gardens.” Since 2005, the “Eniwa Flowers and Lifestyle Exhibition” has been held every June to showcase the town’s charm.

Eniwa Outdoor Garden – A Suburb Attraction Near Sapporo (Photo / eniwa eye)

Hokkaido is a region rich in agriculture. In addition to lavender and other floral craft workshops, farm-related activities such as farm visits and agritourism are also quite enjoyable. For example, Yugo Farm in the suburbs of Sapporo allows visitors to view and participate in vegetable and fruit harvesting, along with delicious homemade tofu dishes!

And the tofu dishes aren’t just for eating — you can even make them yourself. Depending on the heating temperature of the soy milk and timing during preparation, the texture of the tofu can vary from person to person. There’s something uniquely satisfying and tasty about making your own food.

■ Operating Hours: Daily 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
■ Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays
■ Official Website: Yugo Farm

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If you want to try local dishes from Hokkaido and the Eniwa area near Sapporo, you absolutely must have a bowl of donburi (rice bowl). Whether you love seafood or meat, there's something to satisfy every palate. Seafood donburi features an abundance of sea urchin, salmon roe, shrimp, crab, and scallops. Even the meat options include steak, hamburger patties, and limited-edition Eniwa free-range pork donburi. Just looking at the ingredients and menu is enough to make your mouth water. Don’t forget to enjoy a bowl of donburi in the chilly winter in the suburbs of Sapporo — a delicious feast for everyone to savor on their own.

■ Business hours: 11:00–15:00, 17:00–22:00
■ Days closed: Every Tuesday, end and beginning of the year

Suburban sightseeing spot near Sapporo – Eniwa Kama Meshi. (Photo / eniwa eye)

Seeing Rurumappu might remind you of the Snow Land introduced earlier in the suburban sights of Sapporo. That’s right, this special hot pot is a unique dish found only within the snow park, with three options to choose from: KAMAKURA Special Hot Pot, Cheese Fondue, and Mongolian BBQ.

However, the biggest highlight of the Rurumappu special hot pot isn’t the food, but the dining location — surrounded by a snowy white landscape, four people gathered around a fire pit inside an igloo enjoying delicious food truly feels like living in the Arctic Circle, and is sure to be an unforgettable memory~

■ Operating months: December to March of the following year
■ Business hours: 9:00–16:00
■ Official website: Snow Land Rurumappu

Want to travel to the suburbs of Sapporo, visit Eniwa to play in the snow or soak in hot springs? How do you get there most conveniently? Actually, many people now opt for driving themselves when visiting Hokkaido, as it allows flexible planning of attractions and spontaneous changes without needing to accommodate others. Plus, New Chitose Airport offers very convenient and comprehensive car rental services, making it easy for families or groups of friends to enjoy the trip freely. However, on the flip side, more route planning work is needed before departure.

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The JR railway is your best subway partner for traveling around Hokkaido. For trips between New Chitose Airport and central Sapporo, it’s recommended to take JR’s “Rapid Airport” train. As the name suggests, it’s fast — just 37 minutes to reach your destination. It’s also recommended to purchase the Hokkaido Railway Pass to make the most of these trains and explore all over Hokkaido.

If you don’t want to spend several days traveling with a large group of strangers but don’t have a driver’s license or find self-driving too tiring, joining a local one-day tour is a great option. For example, the recommended experiences by Tripbaa aren’t limited to playing in the snow or soaking in hot springs in Eniwa, they also include Jumbo Taxi service — as soon as you exit New Chitose Airport, someone will be there holding a sign to welcome you and quickly take you to your hotel in central Sapporo, taking away the hassle of commuting between the airport and the city during your free Hokkaido trip.

[Tripbaa Fun!] Authorized republication. Original article: [Hit the Snow Right After Landing – New Chitose Airport to Eniwa Snow Park & Hot Springs in Sapporo’s Suburbs]