Shimukappu, Gateway to the Unseen

Northern Japan’s Hokkaido is a world away from the stereotypical temples and bustling streets of Tokyo. Instead, it offers a different type of refinement: the serenity of silence, spaciousness, and the intimacy between humans and nature.

In summer, when the mountains are free of snow, they become rare and inviting terrains for exploration, both wild and welcoming.

Travelers who are overwhelmed by the fast-paced tourism, taking pictures without appreciating the scenery, and devouring places like fast food: stop!

Hokkaido is a threshold, separating tangible and intangible realms. Are you ready to cross it?

Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU: immerse yourself in the clouds

Upon arriving at Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU, visitors can relax in the late afternoon, watching the sunset over the mountainous forests. Each room in RESONARE Tomamu comes with a Jacuzzi bath, private sauna, and large bay windows, offering stunning views.

At the evening buffet, they enjoy tender meat, local milk-based ice cream, and cheesy pizzas. Marvel at the illuminated forest, as they taste the flavors of the region. Then drift off to sleep beneath a starry night sky.

But Hoshino is not just a luxurious, isolated bubble. Its 100-hectare property and surroundings offer various adventures for families, couples, or solo travelers. Activities including hot air ballooning, cycling, rafting, hiking, farm tours, and picnics.

The alarm rings early for those who want to experience sunrise from the “UNKAI Terrace” close by. The cable car climbs in darkness toward the heights. Beneath the feet of the awestruck onlookers lies a vast expanse of clouds. The wind bites, and the light lingers, but the beauty of the spectacle compensates for this harsh awakening.

Before embarking on the “Cloud Walk” excursion, you can enjoy a warm drink—soup, hot chocolate, or coffee—and a light snack to set the tone for the adventure.

The Cloud Walk at Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU

But don’t linger too long if you wish to enjoy the panorama and this series of attractions suspended between sky and earth. By 8 a.m., the clouds will disperse. Until then, you will be above the world, walking over nets and small footbridges and reaching for seats that face the sky. It is a fun and low-effort experience.

Those who are up for a challenge can continue hiking on a small trail to reach the summit. Wearing hiking or comfortable shoes is highly recommended, as the installations and wide path end here. However, the courageous will be rewarded with a panoramic view from a vantage point, where the valley stretches out in all directions. The stillness is overwhelming, creating a truly enchanting experience. This stop, though, is just one milestone in this journey. Having purified our gaze at such heights, we must come back down. The invisible is not just hidden at the top; it’s also in the hearts of people.

Shimukappu: a village learning to coexist

The village of Shimukappu, where Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU is located, offers a window into its efforts to maintain the balance between human life and wildlife.

Mr. Urata, initially hired to manage the official hunting zone under the Bird and Mammal Protection Act, gradually redefined his role. Over about ten years, he became a full-time civil servant and a wildlife management specialist for the village. Deer, bears, and raccoons: all are part of his daily life.

Mr. Urata, a wildlife management staff member at the Shimukappu Village Forestry Department

Here, people don’t speak of “coexistence” with wild animals, considered too abstract, but of concrete actions: field surveys, reasoned captures, and workshops to help residents understand and prevent conflicts.

Bears, very present in the region, are not enemies: they are neighbors to know. Children are part of this. Mr. Urata explains, “Although there are few children who will remain in this village as adults, the knowledge acquired here during childhood will be useful to them […] I hope it will benefit them, and I hope it will have an impact on society.”

At the Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU, Mr. Kawauchino, a guide from Nagano with a deep connection to the local community, and Mr. Urata work together to promote awareness and safety measures. For Kawauchino, this reflection on coexistence goes beyond prevention; it challenges the way humans interact with nature, not against it.

Mr. Kawauchino of the ski patrol at Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU

This conversation concerns farmers and residents of the region as much as passing visitors. If travelers are unaware of the issues related to Hokkaido’s fauna, the initiatives carried out here certainly intend to open their eyes. Everyone is invited to understand the territory they traverse and to know its inhabitants, visible and invisible alike.

Through visits to Tomamu and Shimukappu Village, Hokkaido reveals its true philosophy. Nature is not a commodity to be exploited, but rather a place of wonder and exploration. Instead of being self-centered, the visitor embarks on a journey that takes them on a cosmic odyssey, only to ground them firmly in the practical concerns of the local community. A sense of equilibrium is found here, and it feels right. Local tour guides, public servants and hoteliers are already well aware of this. Rather than keeping this information to themselves, they are eager to share it with kindness and understanding. No matter that you’re only passing through, you too are invited to participate and share.

Maybe, like Mr. Urata or Mr. Kawauchino, you’ll be so captivated by this new world that you’ll decide to stay.

Mr. Kawauchino and Mr. Urata

Hosino Resort TOMAMU official site

Interviewed by Jiji Press Ltd