Beginner Level — This is a highly popular winter tour in Aomori. Join us to see the famous "Snow Monsters" that appear in Hakkoda during winter. From the ropeway, you can enjoy a view of the Snow Monsters below, then switch to snowshoes at the summit park station for an up-close experience. (Includes round-trip ropeway tickets, clothing, equipment, insurance, and guide fee.)
In case the Hakkoda Ropeway is temporarily closed due to bad weather or other reasons, we will offer a substitute tour: the "Hands-Free" Hakkoda Heavy Snow Snowshoe Tour. (Includes clothing, equipment, insurance, and guide fee.) All booked participants are required to join this alternative tour.
Both tours may experience whiteout conditions in severe weather where visibility drops to just a few meters, making it a rare and valuable experience that is normally impossible to have. However, since visibility can become very poor, please stay within the range where you can see your guide at all times.
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English-Speaking Guide
The Experience
"Hands-Free" Hakkoda Snow Monster Snowshoe Tour 【Estimated Schedule Based on Ropeway Waiting Times】 Times are approximate. Note: Waiting times for the ropeway (RW) may exceed 150 minutes. After the tour ends, participants will return to the base station on their own.
- 30-Min RW Wait (Dec, Mar)
- Meet Guide: 9:30
- RW Waiting Time: 9:30–10:00
- RW Ride Up: 10:00–10:10
- Change Clothing: 10:10–10:30
- Snow Monster Trek: 10:30–11:30
- Change Clothing: 11:30–11:50
- Tour Ends/Dismissal: 11:50
- RW Ride Down: 11:50–12:00
- 60-Min RW Wait (Dec, Mar) - RW Ride Down: 12:20–12:30
- 90-Min RW Wait (Jan, Feb) - RW Ride Down: 12:50–13:00
- 120-Min RW Wait (Jan, Feb) - RW Ride Down: 13:20–13:30
- 150-Min RW Wait (Lunar New Year) - RW Ride Down: 13:50–14:00
Rental Items Adult snowshoes (Boot size 22cm+) Winter jacket, pants, boots, gloves, goggles, and beanie (Limited sizes and quantities available) Note: Rental clothing will be handed out at the Summit Park Station. It gets extremely cold while waiting for the ropeway, so please dress warmly beforehand.
Guide Services
Languages Spoken by Guides
- English
Itinerary
- Meeting Time: 9:30 Location: Entrance of Hakkoda Ropeway Sanroku Station
- Guide Meeting: 9:30 Please approach the guide holding the "4-Ride" banner. Round-trip ropeway tickets will be distributed.
- Once everyone is gathered, we will line up for the ropeway. Ropeway Wait Times (Inside & Outside Sanroku Station) 30-Min Wait: 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM 60-Min Wait: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM 90-Min Wait: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM 120-Min Wait: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM 150-Min Wait: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Note: Waiting times may vary depending on conditions. Please dress warmly for waiting outdoors.
- Ropeway Ride to Sancho Koen Station (Travel Time: Approx. 10 mins) For 30-min wait time: 10:00 AM – 10:10 AM For 60-min wait time: 10:30 AM – 10:40 AM For 90-min wait time: 11:00 AM – 11:10 AM For 120-min wait time: 11:30 AM – 11:40 AM For 150-min wait time: 12:00 PM – 12:10 PM
- Changing Clothes (Time required: 20 mins)
- Snowshoe Gear Fitting (Time required: 10 mins)
- Snow Monster Walk (60 mins) For 30-min wait time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM For 60-min wait time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM For 90-min wait time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM For 120-min wait time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM For 150-min wait time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
- Note: The route is subject to change based on daily conditions.
- Sample Tour Photos
- Taking off Snowshoes & Changing Clothes Please check all pockets of your rental gear for personal belongings before returning. We cannot be held responsible for items left behind after the tour ends.
- Tour End / Dismissal at Sancho Koen StationThe tour concludes at Sancho Koen Station (Summit Station). For 30-min wait time: 11:50 AM For 60-min wait time: 12:20 PM For 90-min wait time: 12:50 PM For 120-min wait time: 1:20 PM For 150-min wait time: 1:30 PM
- Return to Sanroku Station (Travel Time: Approx. 10 mins) Please return on your own. For 30-min wait time: 11:50 AM – 12:00 PM For 60-min wait time: 12:20 PM – 12:30 PM For 90-min wait time: 12:50 PM – 1:00 PM For 120-min wait time: 1:20 PM – 1:30 PM For 150-min wait time: 1:50 PM – 2:00 PM
- 【Alternative Tour 】 In case of ropeway suspension, fallen frost, or insufficient tree ice.
- 09:50Meeting at Main Entrance of Sukayu Onsen Ryokan For a smooth guiding process, please contact a guide holding the '4-Ride' banner as soon as you assemble.
- Prepare for the tour Changing (20 min)
- Snowshoe Fitting Transfer to Hakkoda Deep Snow Area (10 min)
- Deep Snow Trekking (60 min) *Note: Routes may vary depending on daily conditions.
- Sample Tour photos
- Transfer to Sukayu Onsen Ryokan (10 min) Snowshoe Removal Change back into standard clothes (20 min)
- 11:50Tour Ends
Price Details
How to Use
- Voucher will be sent via email. Please show your e-voucher at the designated location.
Purchase Notice
IMPORTANT Please read and understand the following details before booking.
1. Ropeway Suspension & Alternative Tour If the ropeway is suspended, we will notify you by email around 7:00 AM. An alternative tour will run instead—please meet at the main entrance of Sukayu Onsen Ryokan by the scheduled meeting time. You can check the ropeway status on their official website (updated at 7:00 AM): https://hakkoda-ropeway.jp/ (Or search for 八甲田ロープウェー). The tour price remains the same for the alternative tour.
2. Suspension During Waiting Time If the ropeway stops operating while you are waiting in line, the entire tour will be canceled. In this case, we will process a full cancellation and refund. 3 Tour Schedule & JR Bus Timetable. Our schedule aligns with the JR Bus timetable (https://www.jrbustohoku.co.jp/route/11/274/ ). (Or search for "JR Hakkoda Bus Timetable"). For bus inquiries, please contact JR Bus Tohoku directly.
Outbound (Hakkoda Bus No. 2): Aomori Sta. (8:10 AM) ➔ Ropeway Sta. (9:10 AM) ➔ Sukayu Onsen (9:25 AM) *If the ropeway is suspended, stay on the bus until the final stop: Sukayu Onsen. Inbound (Hakkoda Bus No. 3): Sukayu Onsen (1:30 PM) ➔ Ropeway Sta. (1:43 PM) ➔ Aomori Sta. (2:53 PM)
4. Transportation Warning Please allow extra travel time and make sure to secure appropriate transportation in advance. 5. Regarding crowd conditions Please note: Heavy congestion is expected for the Hakkoda Ropeway in January, February, and during Lunar New Year
- Activity Waiver All participants must read, understand, and agree to the terms of the Activity Waiver before booking. https://peraichi.com/user_files/download/2b87c940-74c5-013e-d8c4-0a58a9feac02 Completing your booking indicates full agreement to the terms by all participants.
- Contact Information Please ensure you provide a valid phone number and email address where we can reach you for important tour updates.
- The peak season for snow monsters is from January to February. (Please note that tours in December and March may run as general Hakkoda snowshoe tours instead.)
Important Booking Information
.1. Ropeway Suspension & Alternative Tour If the ropeway is suspended, we will notify you by email around 7:00 AM. An alternative tour will run instead—please meet at the main entrance of Sukayu Onsen Ryokan by the scheduled meeting time. You can check the ropeway status on their official website (updated at 7:00 AM): https://hakkoda-ropeway.jp/ (Or search for 八甲田ロープウェー). The tour price remains the same for the alternative tour. 【Alternative Schedule】Times are approximate.
- Meet Guide: 9:50 AM
- Change Clothing: 9:50 AM – 10:10 AM
- Travel Time: 10:10 AM – 10:20 AM
- Heavy Snow Trek: 10:20 AM – 11:20 AM
- Travel Time: 11:20 AM – 11:30 AM
- Change Clothing: 11:30 AM – 11:50 AM
- Tour Ends / Dismissal: 11:50 AM
2. Suspension During Waiting Time If the ropeway stops operating while you are waiting in line, the entire tour will be canceled. In this case, we will process a full cancellation and refund.
Important Notes
- Schedule Changes: The tour schedule may be adjusted at the guide's discretion depending on weather and trail conditions. Please note that no refunds will be provided for schedule adjustments.
- Tour Cancellation & Refunds: No cancellation fee will be charged if the tour is canceled due to the following reasons:
- Severe weather, natural disasters, or hazardous conditions.
- Official instructions or advisories from public authorities to cancel or refrain from activities.
- Ticket Management: Once issued, round-trip ropeway tickets must be kept and managed at your own responsibility.
- Personal Belongings: You are solely responsible for your personal belongings, including smartphones, cameras, valuables, glasses, and sunglasses. - Drone Usage: If you plan to use a drone, please check and follow local government regulations on your own.
- Rental Gear: Please check the pockets of your rental clothing for personal items before returning them. We cannot take responsibility for lost items after the tour ends.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation made at least 11 day(s) before departure date, Fully refundable (100% refund)
- Cancel during 8 ~ 10 day(s) of departure, will charge 20%
- Cancel during 2 ~ 7 day(s) of departure, will charge 30%
- Cancel on 1 day(s) before departure, will charge 40%
- Cancel on activities date, Non-refundable (0% refund)