“When I rented a car in Hokkaido, I was surprised to learn about the benefits of studless snow tires. While England has the same latitude as Hokkaido, it rarely snows, and even if it does, it melts quickly. I’ve never had the need for special snow tires before! It sounds simple, but it was actually quite interesting!” (English man)

Studless tires were developed to prevent slipping and allow safe driving on frozen or snowy roads. They are made from a special combination of rubber that allows them to stay soft during freezing temperatures and grip onto icy roads. While they are a necessity in Hokkaido, they’re essentially useless in places that don’t have constant snow.

All rental car outlets provide options for studless snow tires, so if you’re planning to drive around Hokkaido in winter, we highly recommended them! However, don’t be overconfident and let your guard down! Winter roads in Hokkaido are dangerous no matter what tires you have.

“While staying at a hotel in Sapporo, I received a message from my Japanese guide warning me that today was going to be extra freezing! I was intrigued, so I checked the weather to see it was just -10°C. In my country, winter days of -20°C are normal, so I think freezing is a bit of an exaggeration!" (Russian woman)

This traveler came from the Russian state of Sakhalin Oblast, which is further north than Japan’s most northern town of Wakkanai and endures a winter that lasts almost half a year!

The snowfall is extremely heavy, and there are places that drop below -30°C! While Sapporo does experience blizzards and heavy snowfall, it is generally not as extreme as places like Canada and Russia.

“While I thoroughly enjoy the renowned Sapporo ramen, I argue that Asahikawa, with its perfect balance of seafood and pork broth, holds the title of Hokkaido’s best ramen city! The ginger ramen in particular warms your body on cold winter days, making it both lifesaving and delicious!” (Australian man)

Asahikawa ramen uses thin, wavy noodles and a broth extracted from pork bones and seafood known as a "double soup." From rich ramens that pack a punch to lighter renditions full of delicate umami flavors, each ramen outlet in Asahikawa offers their own unique take.

If you’re struggling to survive the brutal winters of Asahikawa, which have been known to drop 30 degrees below freezing, try some ginger ramen to warm your body and soul!

“While Hokkaido’s winters are cold, the inside of buildings seem to be hotter than summer! With sudden temperature drops of up to 30 degrees, if you walk into a shopping mall in winter clothes, you’ll soon be covered with sweat and start to feel ill! Rather than tight, stuffy sweaters, I suggest wearing zip-up tops and jackets that are easy to take on and off.” (Indian man)

Indeed, the interior of Hokkaido's buildings are well-insulated and so warm you could eat ice-cream in a t-shirt! Busses and trains are the same, making it very uncomfortable to keep wearing your winter gear inside. While it’s a bother to constantly have to strip and redress, it’s important to take care not to overheat!

“While on the way back to my hotel after skiing at Niseko, everything suddenly went white! I was in one of Hokkaido’s notorious whiteouts! I couldn’t tell which way was left or right, so I just crouched down and waited. I was most afraid I would walk into an oncoming car and seriously hurt myself.” (French women)

Whiteouts occur when snow is blown from the ground by strong winds. The accumulated snow is thrown in all directions, blocking your vision and creating a scary, disorienting spectacle.

Whiteouts are most likely to happen around areas with low temperatures and strong winds, so make sure you’re always prepared for one when on a ski slope. If you ever get trapped in a whiteout, try to keep away from the roads and wait until the weather changes.

If you’re in a car, immediately stop and turn off the engine. After it has passed, check to make sure your car’s exhaust pipe hasn’t been blocked by snow. A blocked pipe while driving can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Surprisingly, many of the travelers we interviewed said they had researched everything about Hokkaido online before coming, so nothing surprised them!

Indeed, in this age of information, genuine surprises are becoming rarer and rarer. That’s why traveling to an unknown place and encountering new and challenging experiences is so important!

Hokkaido’s lively and harsh winter is full of opportunities to test yourself and find something fresh! Of course, while it’s fun to adventure, Hokkaido’s winter is extremely dangerous, so always be sensible and prepare in advance!

Text by: Masakazu