Where to send dad + two in Jan/Feb 2015

Dad and 2 kids (8+10) will be in Japan late January. Without wanting an organised tour, where shall I book them to stay to just absorb 'Japan' They want a 'cold winter experience (from Brisbane) and I would love to find a ryokan for them but happy with any suggestion. They will be (attempting) skiing in Sapporo first so anywhere south of there is fine.
All help appreciated.

http://www.skiing-hokkaido.com/
http://www.skiing-hokkaido.com/resort_map.html

http://www.snowjapan.com/japan-ski-resorts/prefecture/hokkaido
http://www.snowjapanforums.com/

Ski sites not only in Hokkaido.

Are they coming and going via Narita? If yes, I'd send them out to Karuizawa for a day or two to stay at Tsuruya ryokan. Karuizawa is about an hour from Tokyo by shinkansen and there is a lot of forest and hiking around. I mention Tsuruya because it really caters well to westerners while being tyical of a ryokan so it would be very accessible for them. You are even given your dinner menu in English. It isn't that expensive either, comparatively speaking. That or maybe Kamakura, but Kamakura is harder to get to.

Thanks for the useful replies. I read a recent review by a family that went to Nagano Station, walked 15-20 minutes (with kids) to a snow monkey park. Very detailed and interesting blog about their day but my searches show nothing closer than an hour to see snow monkeys from Nagano station. Any thoughts on this? It sounded like a such a great day.

I guess the park you mentioned it means the Jigokudani Yaen Koen. In order to go there, you shuld ride one hour by train and bus from Nagano Station, then, take a 30-minute walk.
http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/english/html/top_e.htm

...it just so happens that Nagano is the next stop on the shinkansen after Karuizawa...

The monkeys (Saru?) are fun to watch, there were heaps of them at Kamikochi. My wife (previously a monkey hater) became quite attached to them, and we would watch them playing for ages. But most people have had enough after 5 minutes and move on. And I think that my wife's newfound love for the monkeys was tested when she stood in monkey crap. It reeks, and they crap plenty.

@belynda

Damage caused by wild monkeys occur frequently in many parts of Japan. I recommend if you want to observe them, and you should choose a location that is well-managed. You should not approach them in a natural spot carelessly. There is a risk that can be harm in the case of children in particular.

Belynda,

If I were you,I would arrange a visit to the Snow monkey before Hokkaido ; the children would love the place:
http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/english/html/top_e.htm

Feb is a perfect time to visit Hokkaido for the famous snow festival : http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5311.html.

For ryokan ( there are so many ) I highly recommend Akan Yuku no Sato TSURUGA : http://www.tsuruga.com/en/rooms/rera.html
Akan-ko is transformed into snow wonderland during winter time ; they had fireworks nightly when I was there in Feb several years ago . I am sure there will be fireworks as well this coming winter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bm8LiAcbgo

In fact, plenty too see in Hokkaido winter time : http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1101.html

I have visited Japan many times, and my most memorable moment has got to be Hokkaido in deep winter.

Akan-ko is transformed into snow wonderland during winter time ; they had fireworks nightly when I was there in Feb several years ago . I am sure there will be fireworks as well this coming winter

Wrong video link earlier : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI02gQ8Aw3w