Frozen Fun in Hiroshima

Dec 24, 2017

Frozen Fun in Hiroshima

For many, wintertime in Hiroshima means oysters and nihonshu. These are great seasonal indulgences but there are many other experiences worth having during the colder months. While the rest of Japan either goes into hibernation or ski season, Hiroshima has its own winter fun schedule. Despite minimal snowfall in the city, there are still ample opportunities to get involved in winter activities. From solo adventures to family trips, here is a selection of great places to visit during Hiroshima’s winter months.

Big Wave Ice Rink

No winter in Hiroshima would be complete without at least a few visits to the Higashi-ku Sports Center in Ushita for some fun on the ice. While renting skates and riding around the center’s frozen swimming pool is exciting enough on its own, you could also give curling, figure skating, or ice hockey a try. There are twice-monthly skating lessons to sign up for and hockey teams to join. Fees are 1,580 yen for adults and 940 yen for children and over-65s. Skates are available to rent.

Web site (Japanese): https://www.sports-or.city.hiroshima.jp/facilities/sogo-p

Snow Play at Mominoki Forest Park

Throughout the year, this enchanting forest park makes for a beautiful retreat into nature. Winter is no exception, with the seasonal snowfall turning it into something of a wonderland for families. While many of Japan’s national parks either close for the snowy months or convert to ski resorts, Momomiki offers alternative options for enjoying the snow up close. The most popular winter activity is sledding but you can also don a pair of snow shoes or cross-country skis to trek around in. The surrounding mountain views are wonderful, and the sledding hills tend to be much less crowded than typical ski slopes. The best part? The park is free to use as long as you have your own gear!

Web site (Japanese): http://www.mominoki.or.jp/

Megahira Onsen Ski Resort

With ten ski resorts in the area, locals could try out new slopes nearly once a week in winter. Unfortunately, many of these resorts are located far from the city, making a skiing day trip difficult. However, Megahira Onsen Ski Resort is fairly centrally located and offers great skiing and snowboarding opportunities as well as a relaxing hot spring (onsen). Here you will find a total of 5,800m of runs and various types of slopes ranging in difficulty and terrain. There is also a snow park for sledding or snow play, making it ideal for families with children. In the resort area, visitors can relax in the onsen, have a meal in the cafeteria, or even stroll through the art museum. With its proximity to Hiroshima City, it can get quite crowded during peak times but there’s also the option of trying night skiing if you want something a quieter and a bit different.

Web site (Japanese): http://www.megahira.co.jp/pc/ski.html

Utopia Saioto Ski Resort

If you don’t mind heading a bit further out in the prefecture, the Utopia Saioto facility in Northern Hiroshima is one of the largest snow parks in Western Japan. Here, you can find 12km of slopes in total reaching a top elevation of 1,150m. In addition to skiing and snowboarding activities, there is also a snow adventure area and a kids’ kingdom to keep families entertained. Prices are 4,800 yen for a full day for adults and 2,500 yen for child

Address: 144 Saioto, Kitahiroshima, Yamagata district, Hiroshima 731-2314

Wonder Rink Hiroshima

Located at The Outlets in Hiroshima’s Saeki Ward, one of the largest shopping malls in the region, the Wonder Rink offers year-round ice-skating rather than just for the winter season. It’s a fun rink popular with children and young people. There are trampolines next to the rink for added entertainment if families want to make a day of it. General costs for skating are 1,400 yen per person for two hours (weekdays) or 60 minutes (weekends). Skates and skating toys are also available for hire.

Web site: https://www.wonder-hiroshima.jp/en/en_item/

By S.Cut (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons