Skiing JAPOW in Furano? Choose the Best Mobile Network for Ultimate Connectivity

2025年10月27日2025年11月5日

When you come to Furano for that legendary JAPOW powder, staying connected is more than just a convenience—it’s a necessity for both safety and peace of mind. Hokkaido’s backcountry is breathtaking,

but unpredictable. For skiers and snowboarders, choosing the right mobile carrier can mean the difference between staying safe or getting stranded.

The author of this article

Although I’m not fluent in English, I use translation tools to write my blog posts.
I have over 20 years of experience working for a Japanese telecom company, supporting customers on how to use overseas smartphones in Japan.
As an avid traveler myself, I go abroad at least twice a year.
I share beginner-friendly information about the convenience of eSIMs, making it easy for first-timers to get connected.

Skiing JAPOW in Furano?

Lubar

Welcome to my hometown, Hokkaido!

Winter in Furano is truly magical, with stunning snowy landscapes perfect for skiing and snowboarding.
You can enjoy thrilling snow sports on spacious, uncrowded slopes and take in breathtaking views of the Tokachi mountain range.

富良野の冬は本当に魔法のようで、スキーやスノーボードにぴったりの素晴らしい雪景色が広がっています。
広々として混雑の少ないゲレンデでエキサイティングな雪遊びを楽しみ、十勝連峰の壮大な景色も堪能できます。

Beyond skiing, Furano offers unique winter adventures like hot air balloon rides, ice fishing, snowshoe trekking, and even dog sledding.
Furano is also famous for its cozy hot springs and delicious local food to warm you up after a day in the cold.

富良野は温泉や地元の美味しい料理でも有名で、寒い一日の後に体を温めてくれます。
スキー以外にも、熱気球、氷上釣り、スノーシュー散策、犬ぞりなどのユニークな冬の体験ができます。

This winter wonderland is a must-visit for anyone seeking adventure and relaxation in nature’s snowy embrace.
自然に包まれたこの冬の楽園は、冒険と癒しを求めるすべての人にとって必見のスポットです。

Choose the Best Mobile Network for Ultimate Connectivity

Japan’s four major mobile carriers—docomo, au, SoftBank, and Rakuten Mobile—might look similar at first, but coverage outside the city tells a different story. In Hokkaido’s mountainous regions like Furano, only docomo consistently delivers strong, reliable signals. Many visitors are surprised to find their phones unusable in emergencies if they’re not on docomo’s network, especially in remote areas or on the slopes.

日本にはdocomo、au、ソフトバンク、楽天モバイルの4大キャリアがありますが、都市部を離れると差が出ます。
富良野の山岳エリアでは、docomoだけが安定して強い電波を届けています。
他社ユーザーは、緊急時に電波が届かず使えないと驚くケースも多く、特にゲレンデや山深い場所ではそれが命取りになることも。

Recent news underscores the dangers: Hokkaido has seen a spike in accidents involving tourists lost on the mountain, sometimes with life-threatening consequences. In the tragic 2022 Shiretoko sightseeing boat disaster, rescue was delayed because the captain relied on another carrier that lost signal at sea—only a passenger with a docomo phone could call for help.

最近のニュースでも危険性が強調されています。
北海道では訪日客の遭難事故が急増し、命の危険につながるケースも。

https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/local/hokkaido/news/20250215-OYTNT50262/
Article from February 2025

The number of backcountry skiing accidents this season (from November to the end of January) has reached 34 people, which is 2.4 times higher than the same period last season (an increase of 20 people), according to an interview with the Hokkaido Police. Of these, 70% (24 people) were foreign visitors, all beginners with inadequate equipment.

スキー場のコース外を滑る「バックカントリースキー」の今シーズン（１１月から１月末時点まで）の遭難者数が３４人と、前季同期の２・４倍（２０人増）に上ることが、道警への取材で分かった。うち７割（２４人）が外国人客で、いずれも初心者で軽装備だった。

　According to the Hokkaido Police Regional Planning Division, among the 34 victims, one died and 12 were injured. The 24 foreign victims represent an increase of 13 compared to the same period last season. Their ages ranged from 20 to 72. By country/region, China had the most with 5 victims, followed by Australia with 4, and the United States and Taiwan each with 3.

　道警地域企画課によると、遭難者３４人のうち、死者は１人、けが人は１２人だった。外国籍の遭難者２４人は前季同期比で１３人の増。年齢は２０～７２歳で、国・地域別では中国の５人が最も多く、次いで豪州４人、米国と台湾がそれぞれ３人だった。

　The primary locations of the incidents were near ski resorts popular with foreign visitors, with Niseko Annupuri (Niseko Town, Kutchan Town) having the highest number at 10 people, followed by Kita-no-mine (Furano City) with 8 people.

Quoted from: Yomiuri Shimbun Online

主な遭難場所は、ニセコアンヌプリ（ニセコ町、倶知安町）が１０人と最多で、北の峰（富良野市）は８人など、外国人客に人気のスキー場付近が大半だった。

引用：読売新聞オンライン

2022年の知床観光船沈没事故では、船長が使っていた回線が圏外になり救助が遅れ、結局docomoの携帯電話で助けを呼ぶことができたと報道されています。

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazu_I

For overseas visitors, international roaming might seem easiest, but many roaming partners default to weaker networks. If your phone allows, manually select “docomo” once in Japan to secure the best coverage. For true peace of mind (and easy data access for maps and messaging), the best option is an eSIM—especially via the highly-rated Trifa app, which lets you choose a docomo-backed plan in minutes.

海外からの旅行者には国際ローミングが手軽に思えますが、提携キャリアによっては弱いネットワークにつながる場合も。
日本到着後に「docomo」を手動で選べるなら必ず設定しましょう。一番おすすめなのはeSIMです。
中でもTrifaアプリなら、数分でdocomo回線対応プランを契約できて、地図やSNSのデータ通信にも便利です。

I’m waiting for you!

When buying an eSIM for your stay in Japan, always confirm “docomo” as the network provider before purchase. Voice calls may not be available, but reliable data lets you access Google Maps, translation tools, and emergency messaging. Stay prepared so you can focus on the powder!

日本用のeSIMを選ぶ時は、必ず「docomo」のネットワーク表記があることを確認してください。
音声通話は使えないこともありますが、データ通信さえあればGoogleマップや翻訳、緊急時の連絡も問題なく使えます。
完璧な準備で、JAPOWを全力で楽しみましょう！