Why can this area only be visited on a tour?

The Oyunuma route passes through an area that is normally closed during the snowy season. The tour enters it with official permission, so it is difficult to reach on your own in winter.

Do I need snowshoeing experience?

No. Beginners are welcome, and the course has little elevation change. Snowshoes or crampons and Nordic poles are provided, so you only need warm clothing and suitable boots.

What wildlife might I see?

The quiet, snowy forest is home to Ezo deer, red foxes, woodpeckers, and squirrels, and flocks of Shima-enaga long-tailed tits are sometimes seen. Sightings depend on the day and are never guaranteed.

What is special about the view of Jigokudani?

In winter, the trees around Oyunuma lose their leaves, which opens up a view over the back of Jigokudani. You see steam rising from the valley against the white snow, a view that is hidden for the rest of the year.

Will I learn about the history of the area?

Yes. Your guide covers the volcanic origins of the Oyunuma area and the history of Noboribetsu Onsen, including how the Ainu, later settlers, and people today have made use of its hot springs.

Hokkaido

Oyunuma Steam and Snow Hiking Adventure

English

2 hours

Snowshoe into the Oyunuma area of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, a winter-restricted zone above Noboribetsu Onsen that your guide enters with official permission. Walk past the steaming slopes of Hiyoriyama and the snow-covered Oyunuma Pond, with snowshoes and Nordic poles provided.