View A Sea Of Clouds In Hokkaido! A Fun Day At Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU

Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU - Enjoy Hokkaido's Nature to the Fullest!

Picture courtesy of Hoshino Resorts

Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU is located about one hour and a half away by car, train or bus from Hokkaido's New Chitose Airport. Tomamu, a rural area surrounded by forests, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the rich nature of Hokkaido. As it never gets too hot or humid, it is the ideal summer holiday destination.

Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU allows visitors to enjoy Hokkaido's beautiful nature, from breathtaking views to outdoor activities and local cuisine. Most of the restaurants and all of the activities are also open to travelers who come for the day. Guests of Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Tomamu or Hoshino Resorts Tomamu The Tower can experience these some of these activities for free, like the gondola to the UNKAI TERRACE, where a sea of clouds is visible from.

To learn more about what it is like to stay at Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Tomamu and Hoshino Resorts Tomamu The Tower, please take a look at the article below.

In this article, we introduce some of the exciting summer activities that can be enjoyed on a day spent at Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU.

5:00 - Enjoy the Sea of Clouds at UNKAI TERRACE

Picture courtesy Hoshino Resorts

Tomamu is famous for a sea of clouds that can be viewed in the morning from the UNKAI TERRACE atop Mt. Tomamu (1,239 m). "Unkai" literally means "sea of clouds."

The UNKAI TERRACE can be reached in about thirteen minutes by ropeway. The Sunrise Gondola operates from 4:30 to 8:00,* providing a gorgeous sunrise view to riders.

*Please note that the operation of the gondolas may vary by season. Check the official schedule for confirmation.

The whole terrace is created and decorated to make one feel like they are walking above the clouds. The squishy, cloud-like bubbles are meant for touching and sitting on. They are great for taking pictures with, as well.

The cloud net is something for the brave. You can climb all over it and even look out from the top with nothing but the clouds beneath you. Entering the net is free of charge but please note that only ten people can enter at once.

For the most breathtaking view, consider hiking to the mountain top. It is a forty-minute hike from the UNKAI TERRACE, but you'll be rewarded with a 360-degree view of beautiful clouds or a great view over the Tomamu area, depending on the weather. For the hike, a simple registration is required at the Unkai Gondola Peak Station to make sure you don't get lost.

It is usually very cold at the UNKAI TERRACE in the early morning as it is located on the top of the mountain. Even in summer, temperatures go below 10℃. If you need something to warm up, make sure to check out the Tenbou Cafe. They offer coffee and hot cocoa topped with fluffy marshmallows, as well as light soups. The cloud soda with cotton candy is also a tasty choice.

If you want to send a special postcard from the clouds or would like to know what the clouds tell about your future, visit the UNKAI TERRACE post office before you leave. They have very cute fortune slips called "Fortune Clouds." Insert 100 yen into the box and pull out your fortune cloud. The predictions are written in both English and Japanese.

If you hike to the mountain top, make sure to go back in time to catch the last Sunrise Gondola heading down from the terrace, which leaves at 8:00.

Accessing the UNKAI TERRACE is free of charge for guests staying at Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU. Other visitors can enjoy it for a fee (1,900 yen for adults, 1,200 yen for children between seven and twelve years old). Access is free for children under seven years of age. Visitors can come accompanied by their pet dogs for an extra 500 yen.

Please note that it depends on the weather if you can actually see clouds from the UNKAI TERRACE. Make sure to check the unkai forecast before heading there. The forecast for the next day is posted daily at 15:00. For more details on the UNKAI TERRACE and forecasts, please visit the official homepage.

8:00 - Savor Hokkaido's Delights at the Nininupuri Buffet

Nininupuri is a buffet restaurant located mid-way between RISONARE Tomamu and Tomamu The Tower. It can be used by bosth guests and day trip visitors.

The buffet offers a wide variety of dishes suitable for everyone. A dish that we warmly recommed is the pickled salmon roe donburi (rice bowl), a Hokkaido's delicacy.

Freshly baked bread, salad, and other classic breakfast dishes are also available. Don't forget to try the fresh milk as well. It is produced by the cows you can see grazing in the farm area.

To learn more about the menu available at Ninipuri, please refer to their official page.

10:00 - Visit the Farm and Send a Letter with the Goat Postman

The farm area is an exciting and relaxing place for any visitor, young and old. The adorable Goat Postmen can be found not far from the entrance. Dressed up as postmen with little post bags around their necks, they will deliver a letter for you.

First, purchase a carvable leaf at the front desk for 500 yen including the stamp. At the table in the goat enclosure, you can carve your message and the address of the person the letter is meant for into the leaf with the pen. Put the leaf into the provided plastic envelope and try to get it into the postbag of one of the goats, without them eating your letter. If you can make it, your letter will be delivered (you can even send it to international addresses).

This activity is based on a popular Japanese children's story and song named "The Postman Goat" (Yagi no Yubin'yasan). It is about a goat that is supposed to deliver letters but ends up eating every letter.

11:00 - A Ride on the MooMoo Cart

Riding the MooMoo Cart is one of the fun activities in the farm area. This golf cart is painted with a cow pattern and comes with a picnic basket. To enjoy this activity, please make a reservation online at least twenty-four hours ahead of time.

From 11:00, you can pick up the MooMoo cart and the picnic basket at the farm reception. The cart can be driven by anyone with a driver's license (it doesn't have to be an international one). You can use the cart for two hours after rental, so feel free to drive around and explore the area before settling down for a picnic.

For details on the MooMoo cart activity, please check the official website.

12:00 - Enjoy a Picnic! Lunch on the Farm

Once you've found a good spot for a picnic, spread the picnic sheet and the protective tent that are available in the MooMoo cart.

The picnic box provides enough food for two to five people, depending on which set you ordered. It also includes juice and tea.

14:00 - Take an Afternoon Nap at the Farm

After bringing back the MooMoo cart, it's time to relax. There are plenty of places on the farm where you can lay down and take a rest surrounded by nature.

The hay beds are perfect if you want to relax alongside someone else. Two to three people can easily fit into the spacious bed.

If you prefer to be surrounded by fluffy animals, how about choosing the sheep hammock? The hammocks are found in the tree shade and invite you to count real sheep while gently swinging.

To learn more about the free farm activities available at Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU, please visit the official website.

15:00 - Enjoy a Soft Serve Made with Tomamu Milk

To refresh yourself in the afternoon, how about getting a soft serve or the delicious Toma Shake from the milk stand? These treats are made with milk from the Tomamu cows.

The soft serve is available in plain milk flavor. The Toma Shake comes in two flavors: matcha green tea or coffee.

16:00 - Have Fun at Mina-Mina Beach or Relax at the Hot Springs

Picture courtesy Hoshino Resorts

Mina-Mina Beach is the largest indoor beach in Japan. It is the perfect place to cool down after a day out in the sun on the farm.

Mina-Mina Beach has plenty of water toys and activities to enjoy. You can even play billiards and relax at the cafe inside the beach area.

Picture courtesy Hoshino Resorts

The hot spring area Kirin no Yuis connected to Mina Mina Beach. Visitors can enjoy the view of the lush forest from the outdoor bath.

Mina-Mina Beach and Kirin no Yu are free of charge for the guests staying at Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU. Day visitors can enjoy both facilities for a fee - 2,500 yen for adults and 1,000 yen for children.

Visitors with tattoos are required to cover their body art. Tattoo seals can be purchased at the front desk if needed. If you don't have a bathing suit, you can rent one.

Please visit the official page of Mina-Mina Beach for details.

18:00 - Enjoy Dinner at Nininupuri or Hotalu Street

Before you head to your room or travel to your next destination in Hokkaido, make sure to recharge yourself with a refined dinner.

Nininupuri has a special dinner menu available for 3,800 yen. For an additional 1,200 yen, you can add an all-you-can-drink beer option which includes the famous local Sapporo beer.

If you prefer something different, visit Hotalu Street located by Tomamu The Tower. Hotalu Street is an area with several restaurants that are all available to day-trip visitors.

To see what other restaurants are located within Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU, please check the official website.

Enjoy a Fun-Filled Day at Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU

Spending your morning in the clouds and playing with goats and sheep at noon is something unique to Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU.

Tomamu is located just a little over one hour drive from Hokkaido's famous lavender fields in Furano. If you visit in July, how about dropping by the lavender fields as well? There are plenty of exciting things to see and experience.

Make sure to put Tomamu on your list when visiting Hokkaido!

Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU Official Website: https://www.snowtomamu.jp/summer/en/

To check room availability, please refer to the official booking page.

Written by Chiara Mischke
Sponsored by Hoshino Resorts