A winter tradition, the Chitose Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is an absolute must-see when visiting the Chitose area of Hokkaido during the beginning of the year.
The ice festival, which has been running for 44 years, was originally started by local volunteers to attract tourists to the lake in winter. The main attraction are the ice sculptures, which transports visitors into a magical frozen kingdom.
Planning for the event usually begins in the middle of November, when framework ‘skeletons’ for the ice sculptures are put together. From the latter half of December, these ‘skeletons’ are subjected to water which freezes under the cold temperatures of the lake and forms the iconic ice sculptures. Just before the event opens to the public, the sculptures (which often grow too large in size) are sheared into shape by chainsaw, before details are added by hand with a pickaxe.
Once open, visitors can freely wander amongst the ice sculptures which glisten like blue diamonds under the sunshine during the day, whilst at night illuminations light them up in a whole range of colours.
If you’re curious to know more about the making of the event, there is a special behind-the-scenes tour being held for guests by the resort hotel Kyukamura Shikotsuko, where you can get to know the craftsmen behind the sculptures and take a deeper look into their production.
This unique insider's view will reveal a different perspective of the festival, as you’ll be able to see the changes in colour and shape as well as the beauty, power and dedication that goes into the production of the event.
The idea to share the behind-the-scenes of the ice sculpture festival was thought up by the staff involved in the event, who for many years felt that the making of the sculptures has a different feeling and scenery from the actual event, and that the time, effort and commitment that goes into creating it should be known by the general public.
Guided safely by the knowledgeable production staff, visitors will witness the risks and dangers involved with the event, such as the scaffolding balancing on slippery ice, huge icicles hanging overhead that have to be shaved down and the rain-like pouring of the water that is used to build the sculptures.
The tour will involve exploring the “primitive ice world” that comes before the main event with explanations from staff.
Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival Opening Venue Tour & Ice Festival Petit experience plan
Period: Saturday 1st January – Friday 28th January, 2022
Fee: 20,000 yen (accomodation fee, dinner + experience fee, tax included)
Experience time: 7am – 8.30am, 10am – 11.30am, 1pm – 2.30pm
*Visitors should bring warm clothes, though there is a limited range of winter clothes available for rental at an additional charge.
44th Chitose Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Dates: Saturday 29th January – Wednesday 23rd February 2022
Hours: 10:00 – 20:00
Illumination: 16:30 – 20:00
Venue: Lake Shikotsu Onsen, Chitose City, Hokkaido
Access: 40 minutes by car from New Chitose Airport/ 60 minutes by car from Sapporo City
Admission:
High School Students and Above – 500 yen
Junior High School Students and below – free
A winter tradition, the Chitose Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is an absolute must-see when visiting the Chitose area of Hokkaido during the beginning of the year.
The ice festival, which has been running for 44 years, was originally started by local volunteers to attract tourists to the lake in winter. The main attraction are the ice sculptures, which transports visitors into a magical frozen kingdom.
Planning for the event usually begins in the middle of November, when framework ‘skeletons’ for the ice sculptures are put together. From the latter half of December, these ‘skeletons’ are subjected to water which freezes under the cold temperatures of the lake and forms the iconic ice sculptures. Just before the event opens to the public, the sculptures (which often grow too large in size) are sheared into shape by chainsaw, before details are added by hand with a pickaxe.
Once open, visitors can freely wander amongst the ice sculptures which glisten like blue diamonds under the sunshine during the day, whilst at night illuminations light them up in a whole range of colours.
If you’re curious to know more about the making of the event, there is a special behind-the-scenes tour being held for guests by the resort hotel Kyukamura Shikotsuko, where you can get to know the craftsmen behind the sculptures and take a deeper look into their production.
This unique insider's view will reveal a different perspective of the festival, as you’ll be able to see the changes in colour and shape as well as the beauty, power and dedication that goes into the production of the event.
The idea to share the behind-the-scenes of the ice sculpture festival was thought up by the staff involved in the event, who for many years felt that the making of the sculptures has a different feeling and scenery from the actual event, and that the time, effort and commitment that goes into creating it should be known by the general public.
Guided safely by the knowledgeable production staff, visitors will witness the risks and dangers involved with the event, such as the scaffolding balancing on slippery ice, huge icicles hanging overhead that have to be shaved down and the rain-like pouring of the water that is used to build the sculptures.
The tour will involve exploring the “primitive ice world” that comes before the main event with explanations from staff.
Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival Opening Venue Tour & Ice Festival Petit experience plan Period: Saturday 1st January – Friday 28th January, 2022
Fee: 20,000 yen (accomodation fee, dinner + experience fee, tax included)
Experience time: 7am – 8.30am, 10am – 11.30am, 1pm – 2.30pm
*Visitors should bring warm clothes, though there is a limited range of winter clothes available for rental at an additional charge.
44th Chitose Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Dates: Saturday 29th January – Wednesday 23rd February 2022
Hours: 10:00 – 20:00
Illumination: 16:30 – 20:00
Venue: Lake Shikotsu Onsen, Chitose City, Hokkaido
Access: 40 minutes by car from New Chitose Airport/ 60 minutes by car from Sapporo City
Admission:
High School Students and Above – 500 yen
Junior High School Students and below – free