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Tomamu, Hokkaidō

Finding Wakaranai Lodge

Wakaranai Lodge sits at the ecological seam where cool-temperate hardwood forest meets the subalpine zone. Around the lodge, Ezo spruce and Sakhalin fir stand tall with Erman’s birch scattered between them, the valley opening below into oak, maple, and linden. It’s a quiet transition between worlds, just beyond the heart of Shimukappu Village.

Getting here

The simplest route is by JR Hokkaidō limited express train from Sapporo or New Chitose Airport to Tomamu Station. Transport to the lodge can be easily arranged from there.

For drivers, Tomamu lies along the Dōtō Expressway. The drive from Sapporo takes roughly two hours through farmland and mountain passes. In winter, studless tires are essential from December through March.

The neighborhood

The lodge rests on a small road shared with a handful of year-round residents. Even in peak season, the area stays quiet, close to Tomamu’s ski terrain and backcountry zones yet far enough to hear snow settle on the trees. The Mu River, nursery, and village center are all within walking distance.

  • 5 minutes from JR Tomamu Station
  • 7 minutes to Hoshino Resorts Tomamu
  • 1 hour to Furano or Sahoro ski areas

Seasons and weather

Tomamu’s inland climate brings light, consistent snow from late November through early April, often more than eight meters each season, with the deepest snowpack in mid-February. Storms move quickly through the valley, leaving deep, dry powder and calm blue mornings.

When the snow melts, the forest wakes in layers: birch first, then maple and oak. Summer brings clear rivers, long daylight, and a slower rhythm that reveals another side of Wakaranai Lodge’s world.