Snowmobiling at Snow World Toya
Last Updated on March 4, 2026 by Charlotte
If there’s one thing you have to do on your next trip to Hokkaido, you have to try snowmobiling! We spent a wintry afternoon at Snow World Toya, on an hour-long snowmobile tour of the woods, culminating in a panoramic view over Lake Toya. This was one of my favorite experiences in Hokkaido, and here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit.
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Our Experience Snowmobiling at Snow World Toya
We visited Snow World Toya in early February, along with twenty or so other guests, and were immediately ushered into the shop and fitted with a shower cap, a helmet, and a pair of thick, waterproof gloves.
Outside by the fleet of snowmobiles, one of the staff members gave us a quick demo (in Japanese) on how to hit the gas, steer, and brake. But thankfully, snowmobiles are pretty straightforward.
Travel Buddy and I were sitting on a machine at the front of the pack, and before we knew it, our group waved us onwards and out into the open farmland that fringed the forest.
Never having driven a snowmobile before, Travel Buddy was so excited that he drove first. So while we were buddy riding the snowmobile, or “romantic riding” as our guide called it, I didn’t mind one bit!
As we entered the forest, it was like crossing into Narnia, with fat flurries of snow tumbling from the branches of the trees and fluttering down from the sky. In the fresh patches of snow, I could see the footprints of foxes and hares — although we didn’t see any wildlife in person. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Yotei in the background.
One thing I loved about Snow World Toya is that, despite the meter of powder that had fallen the night before, the snowmobile trail was groomed and well-kept. The trail runs about thirty minutes each way, with a short break at a scenic lookout over Lake Toya.
During the break at the lookout, you’ll have ten-minutes to take all of the photos that your heart desires, and you also have a chance to swap drivers if you are buddy riding a snowmobile.
On the drive back, I drove the snowmobile, and my goodness, I was so thankful to have taken the gloves provided by Snow World Toya.
Even though it felt like I was wearing boxing gloves (these gloves were so thick), my fingers were frozen into icicles after only five minutes of driving. I actually thought it was a bit funny, because the rider in the front gets to enjoy a toasty bum thanks to the heat emanating off the engine, but they’ll lose feeling in their fingers!
Plan Your Visit to Snow World Toya
Snow World Toya is perched in the hills above the lakeshore of Lake Toya, around a 2-hour drive from Sapporo, and only a forty-minute drive from Niseko.
Hours and Opening Dates
Snow World Toya’s opening dates vary year to year depending on the snow conditions, but it is generally open from December through early March.
How To Book Your Snowmobiling Tour
We visited Snow World Toya as a part of a full-day bus tour from Sapporo. When we visited in February 2026, a single rider cost ¥15000, and a double rider cost ¥20000, cash only.
If you’d like to visit on your own, it’s possible to book via phone.
Travel tip
You need to be at least 16 years of age to operate the snowmobile! However, you don’t need to have prior experience with driving snowmobiles.
What to Pack for Snowmobiling
Because of the wind chill, we’d recommend packing real winter clothes for snowmobiling rather than wearing a fashionable outfit.
- I’d prioritize wearing boots, waterproof pants, and a warm puffer coat or ski coat.
- It was absolutely frigid during our visit, but warmer weather would have meant we’d have gotten very wet from melting snow.
- If you bring a bag like a purse or backpack with you, there is a small storage space at the rear of the snowmobile, but it is not secured.
They did not have changing rooms that I saw, but they did have a toilet.
Was it Worth the Trip?
Yes! I really enjoyed this experience, especially because I got to see Travel Buddy enjoy snowmobiling for the very first time. I should mention that I grew up doing a lot of snowmobiling as a child, and the snowmobiles that I am accustomed to go A LOT faster than the snowmobiles at Snow World Toya. I think the main benefit of Snow World Toya is that this activity is much safer than speeding around the woods and across frozen lakes on your own at 60 mph (~97 km/ hr).
If you miss out on Snow World Toya, there’s another snowmobiling operation in Biei, at Shikisai-no-Oka, but their “regular course” has a much shorter trail, and the “long course” was more expensive than Snow World Toya; however, it looked like Shikisai-no-Oka had the more powerful snowmobiles than Snow World Toya.
Ready to Plan Your Trip to Hokkaido?
If you’re in the area, be sure to check out my guide to Niseko vs Furano, or the most adorable Hokkaido Penguin Parade, and the stunning Shirahige Waterfall. I am currently working on more blog posts about Hokkaido, so keep checking back for more 🙂
