Featured Hotels Near Mt. Kotengudake

Sapporo Mountain Resort offers panoramic views of Mount Kotengu from its private onsen suites and floor-to-ceiling windows. Located just a 5-minute walk from the trailhead, it’s ideal for sunrise seekers and nature lovers.

For a more immersive experience, try Yamanoie Hoshinoya, a mountain lodge near the summit viewpoint with glass-roofed rooms perfect for stargazing and aurora watching. Both hotels provide guided hiking tours, ski rentals, and seasonal events like snow sculpture workshops, enhancing your connection to the alpine landscape.

Yes, Sapporo Mountain Resort is highly recommended for families, featuring a kids’ onsen pool, game room, and child-friendly ski lessons. The resort also hosts interactive nature classes where children learn about local flora and fauna in a playful setting.

Yamanoie Hoshinoya offers a "Family Star Camp" program including night sky storytelling, DIY star maps, and snow treasure hunts. Both properties provide baby cots, high chairs, and multilingual staff support, ensuring a comfortable and enriching stay for all ages.

Explore winter snow forest trekking through pristine, untouched snowfields lined with birch and pine trees—perfect for photography and wildlife spotting (deer and foxes often appear).

In spring, join the Alpine Flower Trail to witness rare blooms like edelweiss and snow lotus at high altitude. Summer brings peaceful hiking along well-marked trails with stunning valley views, while autumn transforms the slopes into a fiery tapestry of red and gold foliage.

All seasons offer guided activities such as snow carving workshops and traditional tea ceremonies, blending culture and nature seamlessly.

Absolutely. Mount Kotengu’s remote location and minimal light pollution make it one of Hokkaido’s premier spots for aurora viewing, especially from November to March. The surrounding snowy terrain enhances visibility, turning the night sky into a dynamic canvas of green and purple ribbons.

Stay at Yamanoie Hoshinoya, which features glass-roofed rooms for unobstructed sky access and provides free telescopes and expert-led aurora briefings. Guests also enjoy cozy evening gatherings around a fire pit with warm sake and traditional snacks, creating an unforgettable Arctic atmosphere.

From Sapporo City Center, take the Hokkaido Chuo Bus to the "Kotengu-mae" stop, which takes approximately 40 minutes and runs frequently during peak season. Buses depart from Sapporo Station and connect directly to both Sapporo Mountain Resort and Yamanoie Hoshinoya.

Both hotels offer complimentary shuttle services to the trailhead, making it easy even without a car. For winter visitors, the resort also provides snow boot rentals and guided group hikes, ensuring smooth and safe access to the mountain's natural wonders.

Each season reveals a new facet of Mount Kotengu:

• Spring (April–May): Alpine flowers bloom across the slopes; the Flower Trail showcases rare species like edelweiss and snow lotus.

• Summer (June–August): Ideal for gentle hiking with cool mountain air and lush greenery. Scenic viewpoints offer sweeping vistas of the surrounding valleys.

• Autumn (September–October): The forest turns vibrant with crimson and gold leaves—perfect for photography and fall foliage tours.

• Winter (November–March): Snow-capped peaks and deep powder create prime conditions for snow trekking and aurora hunting. Local lodges host themed events like ice sculpture contests and hot cocoa nights, celebrating the region’s winter magic.