Satoyama Snowshoeing in Hida

This winter trek combines the best of both worlds, allowing you to experience pristine nature close up while never being far from human habitation in a local village setting. Perfect for beginners, this gentle and easy-paced snowshoe tour showcases Hida’s seasonal wonderland of abundant snow, spectacular mountain vistas, and active local wildlife. Throughout your journey, a live guide will provide fascinating insights into the unique lives and distinct challenges faced by the local people and wildlife within this frozen environment.

Your exploration takes you across snow-covered fields where you can search for the paw prints of a myriad of native wildlife—including the Japanese serow, raccoon, foxes, and hares—and it is not uncommon to catch glimpses of the animals themselves. As you walk, you can listen for the cries of black kites hunting overhead. The tour also winds through a community-run apple orchard, where the sheer volume of mountain snowfall requires regular clearing to protect overburdened trees. If this vital protective work is underway during your trek, you will get to see it firsthand. On a clear day, your efforts are rewarded with fine views of the local mountains and stunning glimpses of the more distant Japanese Alps.