2025.12.06

【Guests only】A Hands-on Family Charcoal Adventure in Urahoro, Hokkaido

Urahoro, Hokkaido — maybe you’ve never heard of it. It’s a quiet town, a hidden gem: No hustle and bustle of a city, just warm-hearted people, peaceful nature — and unique experiences you won’t find elsewhere.

Unlike most Japanese kilns located deep in the mountains, the one run by Urahoro Charcoal Co. is rarely close to town. Urahoro Charcoal has a 100-year history from 1921. In 2021, a local woman, Mrs. Madoka, didn’t want this long-lasted industry to disappear, so she decided to take over and now she works with 2 other partners.

On this charcoal tour, you’ll go beyond simply learning how charcoal is made.

You’ll explore its century-long history and discover the deep bond between charcoal, everyday life, and the environment.

Through hands-on experiences such as wood-chopping, carrying logs, and grilling mochi/marshmellow, both children and adults can feel the warmth and wisdom passed down through generations. You can also make your own charcoal decoration as a souvenir to take home.

By the end of this journey, we hope you’ll understand and respect why this tradition is worth protecting.

In addition to the charcoal kiln, we’ll take you to Urahoro Shrine, famous for prayers for motherhood, healthy breastfeeding, safe baby delivery — and for motorcycle and bicycle riders seeking safe travels. Riders from all over Japan (and abroad) come here. Don’t forget to try a Japanese culture fortune slip (omikuji) when you are there! I especially recommend the potato and frog omikuji unique to Urahoro Shrine.

We end the tour at the local roadside station, where you can pick up souvenirs or enjoy treats like kinako ice-cream or popular cream puffs.

Your guide for the entire tour will be Georgia, a member of the Urahoro Local Vitalization Cooperator.

Hailing from Taiwan, she joined the team in August 2025. A long-time fan of Urahoro since college, she moved here after building her career back home. She is trilingual in Japanese, English, and Chinese!

Tour schedule

【Day 1】
16:00-21:00 check-in at HAHAHA hostel

【Day 2】
9:00 Gathering at the living room, heading to Urahoro Shrine
9:15 Walking around the shrine, drawing omikuji
9:50 Heading to Urahoro Charcoal
10:00 Charcoal-kiln tour with Japanese craftsman and me, experiencing wood-chopping, marshmallow-grilling, DIY charcoal decoration etc.
11:40 Heading to the roadside station
12:05 Heading back to HAHAHA hostel

Things to bring

Warm clothing (gloves, scarf, hat, heat packs, mask, etc.)

Please dress warmly — in Urahoro, winter temperatures can drop as low as -15 °C.

Participation fee for the tour※ Accommodation fee not included.

￥10,000 for 2 persons

+ ¥5,000 per extra person
This tour requires at least two participants. Single bookings are accepted upon payment for two people.

Important notes

Participants under 18 years old must join together with an adult.
The participation fee for minors under 18 is the same as for adults.

How to book the tour

※ Please apply no later than 3 days before your stay date.

Make your reservation via the “Booking” form on the HaHaHa Hostel website.
In the remarks section, please indicate that you wish to join the charcoal-kiln tour.
▷「Booking」

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