Night arrives at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu after a day of enjoyable winter activities.
The source describes the Ice Village, a village made of ice, as opening each year from December through March.
Snow and ice buildings glow with beautiful lighting, creating a magical atmosphere.
A short walk beyond the entrance brings us to rows of igloo-shaped ice domes.
Stairs or a slide lead down into the village.
The ice slide has a fairly steep slope and a satisfying sense of speed.
It is especially popular with small children.
A blue-lit ice-skating rink occupies the middle of the village.
Skates can be rented at the Ice Village Center in front of the rink.
Skiing by day and skating by night at Tomamu.
I am delighted to have so many winter activities to try.
Parents are busy teaching their children to skate.
At the center, guests could also reserve the Zip Line over the Ice, a quick ride of around 60 meters from the village lookout.
The Zip Line over the Ice takes a little courage.
Can I do this? Yes, I can.
I make up my mind at the lookout and set off.
The ride brings us toward the birch trees while we take in the surroundings.
Another popular activity, it required a reservation at the center we visited earlier.
Past the rink, more igloo-like ice domes stand in a row.
Each has its own purpose: an Ice Shop, Ice Bar, Ice Sweets Shop and other distinctive spaces.
Our first stop is the Ice Bar.
The walls, tables and chairs inside are made of ice.
More than 50 drinks were on the menu.
The recommendation was Ice Angel, a blue cocktail made with the village’s original gin.
This unusual bar has another surprise.
Order a drink and it comes in a glass made from real ice.
Farther inside is the Ice Books & Café, with a fire burning.
Books at the back can be read together with children.
It is so cold that the surrounding ice remains intact despite the fire.
A cocktail from a pure-ice cup is wonderfully cold and refreshing.
We try another dome: the Ice Sweets Shop.
It focuses on dessert-related experiences and seems to be one of the most visited spaces.
A large piece of ice art resembling a water tank stands inside.
I wonder how they made it.
Farther in is a seating area with both tables and chairs made of ice.
The counter sells drinks and marshmallows.
What are the marshmallows for?
We buy some and step outside to find out.
A charcoal fire stands in front of the shop.
Here we can roast the marshmallows ourselves.
Warmth from the charcoal and a sweet snack: two pleasures at once.
As we roast them, other people begin gathering.
The fire is stronger than I expect, and a moment’s distraction burns a marshmallow.
Turning it gently works better.
Afterward, we sign up to make an Ice Dome Chocolate.
Listening to the staff’s instructions, we choose from three flavors and begin filling a cup.
Soft marshmallows seem appealing, so I fill it about halfway with them.
Then white chocolate goes about halfway into the ice mold.
More marshmallows go on top,
followed by a final covering of white chocolate.
Now we wait for it to set.
In the cold, within the ice mold, it firms up in about a minute on this occasion.
A hammer separates the hardened chocolate from the surrounding ice, as part of the supervised activity.
A firm strike breaks the ice.
Put the dome-shaped chocolate on top and our handmade Ice Village Dome Chocolate is complete.
It is extremely hard in the cold. I would let it melt gently rather than bite forcefully into it.
We also order an Ice Latte.
I choose tropical mango.
Hokkaido milk and mango blocks go into an ice cup,
then we work at crushing and mixing them with a paper straw.
With the ice cup and cold milk, they are harder to break up than I expected.
After some effort, it begins to look quite convincing.
It is fun, so we make a strawberry latte as well.
Next comes mint-chocolate ice cream.
Even ice cream involves a little activity here.
Dip the mint ice cream into sweet chocolate, then scatter marshmallows over it to finish.
Other toppings, such as nuts, can be chosen according to taste.
We move on to the Ice Shop.
It sells original Tomamu merchandise.
There are beautiful diffusers themed around the ice-enclosed village, appealing as gifts,
and Tomamu tumblers that tempt me for my own collection.
Outside, the Ice Chapel glows mysteriously in the distance.
The chapel exists for only about one month of Hokkaido’s winter and is a real wedding venue, according to the source.
It is described as formed from one continuous expanse of ice, symbolizing a couple’s lasting bond.
The source-period general viewing season was mid-January to mid-February.
The cross is made of ice,
as is the piano-shaped installation used for the performance setting, according to the account.
The seats and wedding aisle are ice too: a thoroughly ice-built chapel.
A wedding here would surely be memorable for the couple.
Next to the chapel is the Ice Hotel.
Its ceiling, walls and furnishings are all made of ice.
The dome, actually available for overnight stays under its booking arrangements, is described as around 8.5 meters in diameter and 3.5 meters high.
Thick ice reduces outside noise and keeps out the wind, making it surprisingly sheltered.
A soft-looking bed stands on the ice in the center.
Guests use a special sleeping bag placed on the bed.
Beside it is a sofa so upright that I joke it might improve posture.
There is also a dressing table and an outlet for charging devices.
Outside, the terrace’s tables and chairs are ice too. A limited dinner menu themed around ice was also offered.
Dining with Tomamu’s night sky and birch trees around you sounds like an unforgettable experience; this passage describes the offering rather than a dinner the author claims to have eaten.
The village also has an Ice Open-Air Bath surrounded by birch forest.
The source says it uses water from Yunosawa Onsen in nearby Shimukappu Village.
Bathing beneath a winter night sky in the quiet birch forest sounds special; the author is describing the prospect rather than claiming a bath here.
Even the shivering dash to the changing room afterward would probably become part of the memory.
At 7:30 p.m. during this visit, fireworks begin—a highlight of the evening.
The source describes January and February minimum temperatures at Tomamu reaching −30°C.
The Ice Village turns that deep cold into an experience. In its magical atmosphere, it is easy to imagine making lasting Hokkaido memories with people you love.
Hoshino Resorts Tomamu — Ice Village
Address: Nakatomamu, Shimukappu, Yufutsu District, Hokkaido
Phone: 0167-58-1145