Have you ever longed to snow camp in Japan? Depending on where you live or the region, you may not get much snow, but camping in the snow is a dream come true for all campers. However, outdoor activities in low temperatures come with a certain amount of risk. We would like to explain about such snow camping and introduce our experience at Toretore Hut Fujii Farm in Hokkaido, Japan!
- What is snow camping? Introduction of precautions and necessary gear
- About Tare Tare Hut Fuji Farm Auto Camp Ground
- Contents of this camp
What is snow camping? Introduction of precautions and necessary gear
However, snow camping is different from regular camping in that there are precautions and essential gear that are required!
About sleeping bag！The most important thing is the sleeping bag. Do not camp in the snow with a summer sleeping bag by mistake. Winter camping will make you realize that sleep is very important for human beings. Be sure to prepare a sleeping bag for the proper temperature or lower temperatures than expected.
![[商品価格に関しましては、リンクが作成された時点と現時点で情報が変更されている場合がございます。]](https://hbb.afl.rakuten.co.jp/hgb/416a0ff9.8337803d.416a0ffa.e9515632/?me_id=1428502&item_id=10000003&pc=https%3A%2F%2Fthumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp%2F%400_mall%2Fluxim647%2Fcabinet%2F3sd%2F3sd01%2F3sd01-new.jpg%3F_ex%3D240x240&s=240x240&t=picttext "[商品価格に関しましては、リンクが作成された時点と現時点で情報が変更されている場合がございます。]")
If you are even a little cold during the night, you will feel uncomfortable in the camp, which is different from your usual sleeping place, and you will not be able to sleep and will wake up in the morning. In fact, this is a common occurrence even in other seasons of the year, so please choose and buy a sleeping bag for the temperature indicated on the label, rather than simply choosing a cheap one or one that looks a certain color, as sleeping bags are the most important thing in camping.
The temperature of a sleeping bag can vary considerably, so if in doubt, it is better to buy a low-temperature sleeping bag.（If you feel hot, you can adjust the temperature by opening the zipper (except for summer camps).
About the stove!The stove is also a very important piece of gear when camping in the snow. When I said that a sleeping bag is very important, I was talking about sleeping. I think it is best to use a stove to warm yourself when eating or doing other activities.
The types of stoves vary from wood stoves, oil stoves, and electric stoves if you have portable batteries! The author recommends either a wood stove or an oil stove. Of these, oil stoves are highly recommended because they can provide heat for a long period of time! Wood-burning stoves are also good for a camp-like atmosphere, but you have to keep burning wood.(This is what makes it so camp-like, though.)
About Cots and Camp MatsCots or thick camping mats are also essential camping gear for winter camping. Cold air rises from the bottom up (because warmer air is lighter).（Therefore, if the temperature is high enough to camp in the snow, the temperature below the knees will be quite low even with heaters on. It is especially cold at night, so it is necessary to set up a cot or something to create a distance from the ground. Since cots are made of cloth, they should be protected from the cold by a folding mat or similar item that can block the cold air from below!
Finally, keep in mind that carbon monoxide alarms or convection fans are also quite important if you are using a stove! Wood stoves and kerosene stoves can emit carbon monoxide due to incomplete combustion. During the daytime, you can simply ventilate the stove if you feel the air quality is poor, but it is difficult to notice when you are sleeping! Carbon monoxide camping accidents occur every year, and you can prevent them by installing an alarm, so everyone should have one.
Convection fans are recommended not only because they increase ventilation and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning mentioned earlier, but also because they increase the heating effect by channeling warm air downward!
About Tare Tare Hut Fuji Farm Auto Camp Ground
There are two major highlights of the Tareta Hut Fuji Farm Auto Camping Site!
Since it is a farm, there is a direct sales area where vegetables are sold.One of the highlights of Torettefuji Farm Auto Camping Ground is that it has a direct vegetable sales area!The number of campgrounds with direct vegetable sales has been increasing in recent years, and Torettefuji Farm Auto Campsite is one of them in the suburbs of Sapporo. The vegetables sold at the direct-sale area may differ depending on the season, but being able to enjoy fresh vegetables while camping is one of the reasons to visit the campground.
In winter, it is famous as a spot where visitors can experience wakasagi fishing on ice!It is also famous as a place where you can enjoy wakasagi fishing on ice in winter.Hokkaido is famous for its cold winters, and the temperature at Torettefuji Farm Auto Camping Site can easily drop 10 degrees below zero!
It is adjacent to the Ibaradogawa River, a tributary of the Ishikari River, and is famous for its ice fishing for wakasagi (smelt).Note that wakasagi fishing is best in the early morning, so it is best to stay overnight at the camp and go early in the morning!
Access & NotesIt takes about 30 minutes by car from Sapporo Station. It is a short drive from the city, a distance that is only possible in Hokkaido, where the great outdoors is spread out! In winter, the main streets in Sapporo are well plowed, but the smaller roads are often not. It is better to take the main street to the campground if possible!
Table of Contributions (in tax included)
| サービス | 料金 | |
|---|---|---|
| Limited Reservations River Site Camping (limited to 3 groups) | 1 car (family, group) | 2,000 yen |
| Limited (3 groups) power supply site (200V) extension cord required (1,000 yen) | 1 car (family, group) | 3,000yen |
| Auto camping（10m x 10m per plot) | 1 car (family, group) | 1,500 yen |
| day time camp | 1 car (family, group) | 1,000 yen |
| Private site (in Ibaradogawa Green) | Usage fee 2,000 yen | 1,000 yen per adult, 500 yen per elementary school student, free for infants |
| camping with meals | 料金 | |
|---|---|---|
| Hand-held set for 4 persons (day camp) | LOGOS Tent, tarp, table, chairs and stove set | 16,000 yen |
| Hand-held BBQ set for 4 persons | Above set except tent and tarp + BBQ set, morning vegetables and meat (4 people) | 20,000yen |
| 1 container house | container house | 12,000 yen |
Contents of this camp
This time, we chose a place where we could camp in the snow in Hokkaido & have good access, and as a result, we were able to camp at Torettefuji Hut Campground. Although only a part of the campground was open in winter due to snow removal, we were able to pitch our tent under a big tree and the location was very nice.
We had taken a lot of precautions against the cold due to the nature of camping in the snow, but it was still a little cold when we went to bed (laugh).Also, the restrooms are far away from each other, so we had to walk to the restrooms in the middle of the night, which also made us feel cold. The restroom building itself was heated and quite clean, so I would recommend it for women and first time winter campers!
When we heat the tent, the snow melts under our feet and turns to ice, making it slippery!I hope you all will bring thick shoes with good grip when camping in the snow.
It was quite warm (although of course the temperature was below freezing lol) and comfortable on the day of camping. Warm clothes, warm boots, and a kerosene heater are a must! We used a one-pole tent, and it was very warm with no drafts if you fill the surrounding area with snow.
I wanted to do some wakasagi fishing, but the morning was so cold that I couldn’t get out of my sleeping bag and ended up stumbling around until I chucked it out. It was especially cold in the morning, and I couldn’t get out of my sleeping bag.
I highly recommend this campground, and I hope everyone will visit it when winter camping!
If you want to know something more about Camping in Hokkaido, Japan, please check here!
back to homepage
