Clothing for Snow in Hokkaido

John on 08/05/2025 - 10:59
Last edited 08/05/2025 - 10:59

Heading to Hokkaido mid January next year for the first time with the family. Kids are as young as 7 & 13 yo.

Not really familiar with heavy snow environment and ski experience. This will be our first time so has a lot of question in my mind.

But one thing I would like some inputs is winter gears since we will try skiing at least one day during the trip (possibly two, if the kids are enjoying it). Apologies in advance if I'm throwing random questions and if any of these sound silly…

I need to buy few warmer winter clothes (jackets, boots, pants). Just to make sure we are all warm & cozy. But is there specific ski clothing that makes it different than just your typical winter attire? I'm assuming as long as they are waterproof, they should be ok for skiing as well. Please tell me if I'm wrong.

Would cheap Temu-style ski googles cut it considering we won't be skiing a lot?

Boot wise, I'm guessing we also need something with good ridges to reduce slip?

Also, it better to buy certain winter clothes here or in Japan? Would the OzB favourite Macpac halo down 600 loft cut it and be good value at around $99 as commonly shows up here? Or we'll need something more? We will be staying in Sapporo first before heading to Asahikawa as our base for the ski sports. So will have chance to do some shopping there if needed.

Please do share any tips if you have any. TIA!

Fashion & Apparel Asia Clothing Japan

Comments

  • bitesized on 08/05/2025 - 11:11
    +5

    Yes there is ski-specific clothing, which you can rent from the ski shops near the slopes along with ski equipment (helmets, skis/snowboards, boots, poles). Ski jackets have longer hems, ski pants have longer and wider hems to cover boots fully. These prevent snow from getting beneath your clothes when you fall, and you will fall a lot as a beginner. You can hack it with waterproof jackets and pants if you wish, but beware the snow getting all up your inner layers.

    Temu googles are fine. Temu gloves probably okay, but it depends on how cold it gets. You can buy ski clothes from Asahikawa too, but if you don't plan to ski often, it'll just be lots of clothes to bring around/store at home.

    For boots, any winter boots in general should be okay. Regardless, take caution when walking on ice.

    • John on 08/05/2025 - 11:22

      Thanks mate. Almost forgot the gloves. I'm guessing might need some Balaclava too…

      Can I rent ski clothes in Asahikawa? Planning to go to Kamui for our first lesson and skiing set rental but from the website it does not look like they rent out the attire, just boots & helmet?

    • TheRealCher on 08/05/2025 - 11:30
      +2

      100 per cent rent.
      You'll only need ski gear for ski fields. And I imagine you'll travel by train? You want the least luggage possible as trains aren't set up for big suitcases - I'd actually advise you to get your luggage forwarded to the hotel. Much easier, very common in Japan and will free you up.

      Clothing wise - think easy to remove layers. Everywhere in Hokkaido is set up for the cold - Sapporo has huge underground walkways with shops and heating (found this out the 3rd time I was there after getting lost above ground in a snow storm….). You'll want light but warm outer coats - I've definitely got around in a Macpac. Underneath I would recommend jumper and a thermal shirt. Never found I needed thermal bottoms but I overheat easily.

      And walking on footpaths is the killer - make sure you have travel insurance just in case. Look for where other people have walked - easier that way. Also think penguin, low centre of gravity and slow. I found that hiking shoes/boots had more grip than snow boots - different environment, with snow boots designed to keep your feet warm. Again, they can be rented. But Hokkaido ice on footpaths hits different, especially when you get crashed into by three year old kids and find yourself sprawled on your back looking at the sky…

      Buy some facemasks when you're there and if anyone even remotely gets a sniffly nose, get them to put it on in public. It may seem a burden but the locals will be incredibly appreciative - it shows respect to the whole of the community in a very visible way. Japanese people are very welcoming on the surface and very helpful and this is one way to show it in return.

      • John on 08/05/2025 - 11:44
        +1

        Thanks for the tips!

        Yeah will be travelling by train (no snow driving experience, so not going to risk it). We have used Ta-Q-Bin a lot of times and are staying at hotels throughout the trip so will definitely be forwarding the luggages between the cities.

        I'll look into hiking boots. I assume sneakers won't really cut it then? And love the penguin tips, will definitely practice that before the trip!

        • TheRealCher on 08/05/2025 - 13:08

          as in regular sneakers or hiking sneakers? Regular no - would let in the cold too much and the soles just slide, even if they have grooves which can quickly fill up.
          I wore these to Finland earlier in the year and found them really good on the cobble stones and footpaths, except for when the ice was really built up - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BXSS5TQC
          They were also a good enough style that I could wear them if I wanted to go to a restaurant at night or something. So something with similar grip etc might work for you?

  • DingoBilly on 08/05/2025 - 11:43

    I'll comment on general day-to-day around cities and towns but not skiing.

    I was in Hokkaido 3 years back during winter and was completely fine in sneakers over 2 weeks.

    It is slippery, but if you walk slowly and carefully it's completely fine. If you are frail or have poor balance you may want to consider more serious hiking boots etc., but any normal healthy adult will be fine. In 2 weeks I did not see a single slip from any other person, and saw people walking in heels, thongs and various other footwear on snow/ice.

    Otherwise just general warm gear you can easily peel off in layers is fine.

    • John on 08/05/2025 - 11:49

      Thanks. My concern is if the sneaker gets wet if we play in the snow (guessing that will be the kids favourite activities). So at least leather sneaker maybe?

      • Caped Baldy on 08/05/2025 - 14:21

        Goretex shoes help too but I still stacked it a couple times.

        There's actually a huge underground path network in Hokkaido so take advantage of that.

      • DingoBilly on 08/05/2025 - 14:54

        Ahh yeah. That happened to me. A hair dryer at hotel for 10 minutes fixed wet shoes right up. 😂

  • jason101 on 08/05/2025 - 17:29

    If you are of smaller frame, buy in Japan, much cheaper than Oz pricing.

    • slknv on 08/05/2025 - 18:43
      +1

      can't say I agree, spent a bit of time around ogawamachi in jan/feb this year and all the snow shops there had much more expensive clothes and snow gear than in australia. for a first timer going to japan, cheapest way to get kitted up is still aldi

  • Hardlyworkin on 08/05/2025 - 19:00
    +1

    Usually I say later up though one big down jacket is fine. Everywhere inside is usually hot so easier just taking off the one layer. I like wearing hiking shoes or hiking boots there. I lived in Sapporo and never owned anything more then normal shoes.

    In mid Jan the snow should be dry so mostly doesn't soak your shoes. You could get unlucky and get some warmer weather though most shoes will be ok, just lean towards something that is better than not for warmth / keeping water out.

  • BronzingStubble on 11/05/2025 - 08:27

    Aldi are having their annual snow gear sale this coming Saturday the 17th. Thermals underwear, snow jackets & pants, gloves, goggles, and snow boots <— these are especially cheap. As others said, you have to lug it all around, so maybe pick and choose a few items depending on price and rent the rest. I can recommend their thermals and especially the merino wool gear from my experience. Plus thermals pack up very small.

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