Members of a family zip down a hill during a pre-opening event for the Asahikawa Golf Club’s Snow Land Daiba winter activity venue, in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, on Jan. 10, 2026. (Mainichi/Nobuyuki Yokota)
ASAHIKAWA, Hokkaido — The Asahikawa Golf Club here is making use of its snow-covered greens by opening a winter activity venue called Asahikawa Snow Land Daiba.
Founded in 1958, the club has the third-longest history of any golf course in Hokkaido, but being forced to close for about four months each year due to heavy snow has long been a challenge. To make use of its openness and wide-open fairways unique to a golf course, seven of the 18 holes have been converted so people can easily enjoy winter sports such as snowmobiling and snow rafting. Visitors who book in advance can also enjoy jingisukan — grilled lamb, a signature Hokkaido dish — at outdoor barbecue stations.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and other events were held on Jan. 10, a day before the official opening, and around 100 people including families with children enjoyed the facility in the city of Asahikawa, Hokkaido.
Club chairperson Hidemi Ikeno said, “I wanted to create a place where both adults and children could have fun during the winter, when the golf course isn’t operating.”
Admission costs 2,000 yen (approx. $12.70) for adults and 1,000 yen for children 12 and under, while those 3 and younger can enter for free. Additional activity fees apply, and city residents receive a 50% discount. Snow Land will operate until around March 10, when the snow begins to melt, and will close on Mondays except public holidays. For inquiries, call 0166-61-7238 (in Japanese).
(Japanese original by Nobuyuki Yokota, Hokkaido News Department)
AloJapan.com