Snowy River & Canyon
A winter-only boat adventure through Jozankei's snow-covered valley.
Friluftsliv
Enjoy Hokkaido's Winter,Snow Rafting Experience
About 45 minutes from central Sapporo. A special winter river experience in Jozankei Onsen.
Location
Jozankei Onsen
Access
About 45 min from central Sapporo
Age
From 1 year old
Duration
About 90 minutes
Phone / WhatsApp: +81 70-1534-9272
Bonfire & Roasted Marshmallows
During the experience, you can relax around a bonfire and enjoy roasted marshmallows. It is a warm and special moment by the winter river.
Family Friendly Winter Activity
From age 1. A gentle river experience suitable for families with small children.
About 90 Minutes
Fits easily into your Sapporo travel schedule.
Experience Flow
- 1Meeting & check-in
- 2Gear preparation & safety briefing
- 3Snow rafting on the river
- 4Bonfire & roasted marshmallows
- 5End of tour / Head to the hot spring town
Price & Schedule
Adult
10,000円
Child
9,000円
- Season
- Late November to early April
- Meeting times
- 09:00 / 11:30 / 14:00
- Duration
- About 90 minutes
- Age
- From 1 year old
- Booking
- Online prepayment
*May vary depending on group size and river conditions.
The river flow is very gentle, making it suitable for families with small children.
Meeting Point
Kokoro no Sato Nono Terrace
4-chome 371 Jozankei Onsen Nishi, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2303, Japan
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tvm5v4sHHt2LfNuj9
Options & Rentals
The items below are optional add-ons separate from the tour price (adult / child).
Waterproof Winter Boots Rental
¥500
For this winter riverside activity, waterproof and warm boots are recommended. If you do not have suitable boots, please use our rental boots.
Drone Shooting Option
¥10,000
Aerial footage of the snowy valley and rafting experience. This option may not be available depending on weather, safety conditions, and flight restrictions.
GoPro Rental
¥3,000
Recommended for guests who want to capture POV footage and memories during the tour. Limited availability.
Rental items and shooting options are not included in the online advance payment. If you use them, please pay in cash on site.
Private Boat
Private Boat Option
Perfect for families and friends who want a private experience
Charter an entire boat for your group — no shared rides with other guests.
- Exclusive use of 1 boat
- Up to approx. 10 guests
- ¥110,000 (tax included) / 1 boat
How to Request
- 1Enter "Private Boat希望" in the notes field on the booking form.
- 2After your reservation is confirmed, we will send you payment instructions by email.
Clothing & Items to Bring
- • Gloves, hat, neck warmer and other warm accessories
- • Warm winter clothing such as a down jacket or ski wear
- • Thick socks
- • Snow boots (waterproof long boots are recommended because you may walk in the river area)
Waterproof winter boots rental: ¥500 (cash payment on site)
Recommended For
Travelers looking for a winter nature experience near Sapporo
About 45 minutes from central Sapporo, this tour is an easy way to enjoy snowy Jozankei scenery and canyon views.
Guests who do not ski or snowboard
You can enjoy Hokkaido snow without skiing. A great winter activity for travelers looking for something other than ski resorts.
Families with small children
Children from 1 year old can join. The river flow is very gentle, making it suitable for families with young children.
Guests who want more than just a boat ride
This experience is not only about enjoying the snowy scenery from the boat. During the tour, you can also relax around a bonfire, roast marshmallows and enjoy simple snow play such as sledding. It is a fun way to experience winter in Jozankei in different ways.
Important Notice About Meeting Time
The tour departs on schedule. Please arrive on time for your scheduled meeting time. If you arrive late, you may not be able to join the tour due to safety management and the schedule of other guests. If you cannot join due to late arrival, it will be treated as a customer-side cancellation. In that case, no refund or transfer to a later time slot may be available.
Important Notes
- The tour may be canceled or changed due to weather or safety reasons.
- You may not be able to participate if required clothing or items are missing or insufficient. Please check the clothing section on this page.
- Experience content and duration may change depending on river and snow conditions on the day.
- Online booking closes after 6:00 AM on the day of the tour. For last-minute bookings, please call or contact us on WhatsApp.
FAQ
Q. From what age can children join?
A. From 1 year old. The river flow is very gentle, making it suitable for families with small children.
Q. What should I wear and bring?
A. Please bring warm accessories such as gloves, a hat and a neck warmer, warm winter clothing, thick socks, and waterproof snow boots. Waterproof winter boots rental (¥500, cash on site) is also available. See the clothing section on this page for details.
Q. Will the tour be canceled in bad weather?
A. The tour may be canceled or changed due to weather or safety reasons. If the tour is canceled due to river conditions or an organizer decision, a full refund will be provided.
Q. How long does the experience take?
A. About 90 minutes. It may vary depending on group size and river conditions.
Q. Where is the meeting point?
A. The meeting point is Kokoro no Sato Nono Terrace. The address is 4-chome 371 Jozankei Onsen Nishi, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2303, Japan. A Google Maps link is also provided on this page.
Q. Can I book on the day of the tour?
A. Online reservations close after 6:00 AM on the day of the tour. For last-minute bookings, please contact us by phone or WhatsApp.
Phone / WhatsApp: +81 70-1534-9272
Q. Can I join if I arrive late?
A. Tours depart on schedule. If you arrive late, you may not be able to join. In that case, no refund or transfer to a later time slot is available.
Q. Is there a cancellation fee?
A. Cancellation fees may apply depending on timing for customer-side cancellations. Please see “Snow Rafting Cancellation & Change Policy” on this page for details.
Q. Can I change my date or time after booking?
A. If you need a change, please contact us. We will check availability for your preferred slot along with our operating schedule, and can offer a change only where one can be arranged. A change cannot be guaranteed, and once the cancellation fee period has begun, we may be unable to accept one.
Q. How can I pay for optional services?
A. Payment for optional services is accepted in cash on the day of the tour. Please bring enough cash with you.
Q. Can I store my luggage? Are there lockers?
A. Yes. We can store suitcases, backpacks, and other luggage free of charge in the reception facility's staff-only storage area. Please note that lockers are not available.
Q. Is parking available?
A. Yes. Free parking is available at the reception facility. Approximately 15 vehicles can be parked, so you are welcome to come by car.
Snow Rafting Cancellation & Change Policy
For cancellations due to customer reasons, the following cancellation fees apply based on timing: - Up to 7 days before: Free - 6 to 3 days before: 50% of the tour fee - 2 days before to the day before: 100% of the tour fee - Same-day cancellation / no-show: 100% of the tour fee Even within the free cancellation period, refunds may be issued after deducting the payment processing fee and refund processing fee charged by our payment provider. If you need to change your reservation date or time, please contact us. We will check availability for your preferred slot together with our operating schedule, and can offer a change only where one can be arranged. A change cannot be guaranteed, and once the cancellation fee period has begun, we may be unable to accept one. If the tour is canceled due to river conditions or an organizer decision, a full refund will be provided.
Check Availability and Book
Check availability online and complete advance payment in one flow.
Email inquiry: info@friluftsliv-hokkaido.comPhone / WhatsApp: +81 70-1534-9272
WhatsApp is mainly for urgent contact and same-day booking requests after 6:00 AM. For general questions about the tour, please contact us by email or check the Q&A on this page.