Home ACJS/Aichi HCJS/Sapporo OCJS/Online Japan Guide FAQ Databases Contact Us Multimedia Log in

yamasa.org / home / hcjs / english / programs / winter   -    Sapporo City  -   Skiing in Hokkaido: Niseko / Furano   -    Ní thuigim thú

Update: Applications for winter have closed.

Intensive Japanese immersion, skiing on some of the world's freshest powder snow, Susukino's nightlife, brilliant snow festivals, historic sites, hot springs, winter sports and resorts & the most extensive wilderness areas in Japan. A winter Japanese program in Hokkaido provides the opportunity to not only improve your understanding of modern Japan and your language skills, but also your snowboarding or skiing!

For the Hokkaido Center there are 3 start dates available, with a total of 15 length options available. Beginners need to commence on January 11th or transfer from Okazaki, but those with previous studies may choose to study in Sapporo from January 25th or February 8th. It is possible to enrol in a customized program combining studies in both Okazaki and Sapporo, providing an extensive range of study options plus options trips including skiing in Hakuba and a visit to the snow monkeys in Nagano.

The Sapporo programs are a little less intensive than the SILAC & Acceleration programs offered in Okazaki. Sapporo Japanese classes begin each weekday morning at 9am and finish at 12.25pm with 5 minute breaks between classes, each of which are of 45 minutes length. Your textbooks are included in the program fee, all you need is a dictionary (these can be purchases in major stores in Sapporo), something to write on and write with. The overall result is a program that is more laid back, giving you plenty of time to explore the city. The Sapporo Snow Festival will be held from early February with most events centered on Odori Park and the Susukino district. Since you are in Hokkaido, it is worth travelling as much as possible. Otaru City and Jozankei Onsen are good day trips from Sapporo. The historic treaty port of Hakodate would require at least an overnight stay as it is about 3 hours from Sapporo by train (as Hokkaido does not have a shinkansen), but usually the accommodation costs are actually cheaper than the train fares.

Skiing in Hokkaido

Ski & Study: Hokkaido is a winter sports paradise. This program provides exciting new options where you can enjoy the opportunity to learn Japanese along with world class skiing and snowboarding at Furano and Niseko, as well as resorts close to the HCJS such as Sapporo Teine. An extensive range of weekend and after-program tours can be arranged, including skiing and snowboarding in Furano, Niseko, Kiroro & Rusutsu. Fun in Hokkaido is not just about groomed powder snow - you can experience and enjoy back country tours, heliskiing, iceboating, fun on snowmobiles or snowshoes and much much more. Winter sports are easy to learn, and lessons can be provided in Japanese or English. For backcountry fun, qualified English speaking guides can be arranged for those unable to pass the Japanese language requirements for avalanche safety. For less vigorous and more graceful fun, Nakajima Park provides well groomed and easy gradient cross country ski courses good for ski-walking or skiing. If you are interested in ice skating, regardless of whether you are a beginner or an experienced skater, it is possible to skate outdoors in many locations (including in the Olympic stadium at Makomanai) which are open to the general public. Outdoor sports events such as the "Big Air" pro-snowboard jumping are also fun, with a wide range of live music acts entertaining the crowds during the breaks in the competition.

Minimum Entry Requirements: For the winter programs the major consideration is your current level of Japanese. There is one beginner class starting on January 11th, requiring only a knowledge of hiragana & katakana - both of which we can assist you with at no cost if required. For January 25th and February 8th, you need to have studied Japanese for approximately 100 hours, read/write hiragana/ katakana, read a minimum of 50 kanji, and be able to understand the grammar used up to at the equivalent of Lesson 25 of the curriculum taught by the Online Center. Minimum age limit is 18 at the time of enrolment. There is no maximum age limit. Applicants are usually required to be either university graduates or currently enrolled college students, with exceptions usually only extended to gap year students. Places in the programs are limited and early application is advised. If you are unsure of whether your level is sufficient prior to application, please contact our Admissions Office.

Accommodation: Student accommodation in Sapporo is currently single room only, with dormitory rooms (meals included) or a limited number of self-contained apartments (small kitchen, self-catering) available. If you wish to share an apartment, you would need to apply early and specify by email the name of your sharemate. At this stage we are not able to arrange shared accommodation for applicants who are not entering and leaving the accommodation at the same time. Friends & couples are able to stay together in apartments (but not dormitories) even if only one person is enrolled. A limited number of homestays are also available, please note that if applying for a homestay you will need to select a backup option, just in case a host family cannot be confirmed for the full duration of your stay.

Conversation class during winter session

Airport transfer: The program fee includes a free transfer between Shin-Chitose airport or the JR Sapporo train station and your accommodation. In the case of late evening arrivals, this free transfer involves reimbursing the costs of train and taxi fares. During normal office hours on weekdays it usually involves a pickup service. For students transferring between Sapporo and Okazaki, the full cost of door-to-door travel is included. Students who do not need an air ticket for travel between Sapporo's Shin-Chitose Airport and Nagoya's Centrair Airport are able to receive as 25000 yen cash refund.

Multiple Locations: In the case of the program options involving studies in both Okazaki and Sapporo, the airfare/transfer from Okazaki via Nagoya to Sapporo (usually approximately 35000 yen including cost of door to door airport / accommodation transfer) is included in the program fee. As mentioned above, a 25000 yen cash refund is available for those who don't require a ticket. For more detailed information, please read through the individual program files.
Also, please note that an individually customized study plan can also be put together for you (for example private lessons in Sapporo in addition to the group classes, or if in Okazaki, switch from SILAC to the ultra-intensive Acceleration Program options, a homestay etc). A new feature in 2008 is an innovative cultural immersion program involving the new Kurashi-no-Gakkou in Okazaki, available as part of the January Japan Discovery Option. Please feel free to contact us with any requests.

Facilities: Good insulation and heating is essential for comfort during the Sapporo winter, and our Center and the various accommodations are well equipped. Compared to accommodation and office space in Tokyo, Okazaki and other southern areas, you will usually be warmer inside when in Sapporo. All classrooms have double glazed windows providing natural light, are well heated and include drying space for overcoats etc - essential during snowfalls.
Compared to the larger Aichi center in Okazaki, internet access is limited in the Hokkaido center. PC's are available for checking email, but wireless coverage is still being installed, so if you are reliant on online dictionaries you may need to use the local internet cafes. Internet is available in the accommodations on request for all but late applicants.
Photocopying facilities and a limited range of printing services are available.

Okurayama Ski Jump - Nordic events

Tips regarding the weather: The winters in Sapporo City are cold, and cold weather clothing is essential. It is cold. Read that again. It is very cold. Unless there is a very early spring or abnormally warm winter, it should be about minus 4° Celsius or 25° on the Fahrenheit scale. Snowstorms are of course not uncommon. It is not really possible to enjoy the city without spending a lot of time outdoors, so layer your clothing. Thermal underwear is a good investment. Make sure you have gloves or mittens, a warm hat, a hooded jacket (preferably windproof and water resistant). For footwear you need shoes that don't leak water, or preferably boots.

Make sure that whatever you wear on your feet, that your footwear has excellent traction. There is ice on the roads, pavements, steps and just about every other surface in Sapporo in February. Almost everywhere you go is going to be slippery, and even the locals experience falls. You can easily obtain shoe spikes (either clip on or strap on) at the airport or JR Sapporo station, good shoe shops and even many of the souvenir shops, but for overall comfort boots are probably your best bet. If you arrive in Sapporo without good footwear, you may wish to visit an excellent outdoor shop called Shugakuso near "Kita-12-jou" (north street #12) station on the Nanboku (north south) subway line. They also run the Patagonia outlet just down the street.

Dialect & Language: Unlike Okazaki, unless you look Japanese you will probably be spoken to initially in English as Sapporo is a tourism oriented city. This means you may need to be pro-active in speaking Japanese to practice outside class. There is a local dialect, however it is not sufficiently different from the hyoujungo spoken in Okazaki or Tokyo to present any problems.

Please choose a program that suits your needs and schedule - we hope you can join us and enjoy winter in Japan. If you are unsure of which program to choose, please write to Mr Declan Murphy. All of the winter programs are extremely popular - so apply early - well before the various deadlines. If you are on the JET program, please read the Study Leave for Jet Program participants file.

C O M M U N I T Y   M E M B E R S Forgot Password? Update your details Privacy policy FAQs and help Feedback Membership