By Hoang Vu  January 15, 2026 | 06:44 pm PT
Furano ski resort in Japan. Photo courtesy of Tripadvisor
Seven foreign tourists who were believed to have gone skiing at the Furano ski resort in northern Japan’s Hokkaido are feared missing, police said.
Police said they received an emergency call at around 3:40 p.m. on Thursday from a person who reported being lost while skiing outside designated areas, Kyodo News Agency reported.
The call was made using a satellite communication feature on a smartphone.
Mountain rescue teams have been deployed and are searching the area where the tourists are believed to have been skiing, Japan Today reported.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the temperature in Furano had dropped to minus 13.8 degrees Celsius.
Hokkaido is famous for skiing, often called a “powder paradise,” due to its exceptionally light, dry, and abundant snow.
Popular resorts include Niseko, Rusutsu, Furano, and Tomamu, offering world-class skiing with diverse terrain, family-friendly options, and modern amenities, making it a top global ski destination from December to April.
AloJapan.com