Dayou Travel Agency:: The Sounkyo Ice Pavilion, igniting winter with full-blown energy

The 2010 Sounkyo Ice Festival kicked off in grand style on January 23rd. Every year at this time, near the cliffs around the Sounkyo Onsen area—the festival venue—massive icefalls descend, which locals use to construct various "ice structures" such as ice pillars, ice caves, ice tunnels, a 15-meter-high ice observation deck, and even a one-of-a-kind "Ice Shrine." These ice structures are incredibly impressive, with breathtaking sights that move the heart. The variety of activities carefully planned by the organizers are lively and fun.

The Sounkyo Ice Festival is when the Sounkyo Onsen area presents itself to the world in its most enchantingly mysterious form of the year. By day, seen from afar, it resembles a pure, crystalline ice castle, displaying the most unique natural glow under the sunlight. After nightfall, adorned with dazzling, specially crafted multicolored lights, it instantly becomes luxurious, eye-catching, mysterious, and fantastical, like an open-air giant ice palace amusement park.

If you want to challenge the cold temperatures of Hokkaido and experience the majestic presence of the icefalls, consider heading out before the end of the festival in late March. The trip starts in Hokkaido’s most romantic city, Hakodate, heads northward while exploring along the way, and ends in Sounkyo Onsen. It also includes a visit to Asahikawa, Hokkaido’s second-largest city. Along the journey, you’ll get to enjoy snow activities like riding snowmobiles and snow buggies, allowing you to experience the joy of the snowy world through both sight and touch.

★★★ Recommended Attraction = Sounkyo Ice Festival
The venue for the Sounkyo Ice Festival is located in the onsen town of Sounkyo, utilizing the nearby areas where the Ishikari River has formed thick layers of ice in winter. The expansive 10,000-square-meter venue features about 80 ice structures of varying sizes, including the main exhibition hall standing 15 meters tall. There are also ice bridges, corridors, slides, tunnels, bars, and observation decks—all built from ice. Most uniquely, there’s also an Ice Shrine.

By day, it looks like a pure, crystalline ice castle, resembling the ice queen’s palace from a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, displaying the most unique natural glow under the sunlight. After nightfall, when lit up with dazzling, specially crafted multicolored lights, it becomes luxurious, eye-catching, mysterious, and fantastical...Click to see all attraction info

★★★ Recommended Attraction = Galaxy Waterfall
Located in the Sounkyo Valley, on the right side just like the Ryusei (Shooting Star) Waterfall, the Galaxy Waterfall gently flows down from a 120-meter-high cliff like several white threads, moving slowly. In contrast to the Ryusei Waterfall, it is also known as the “Female Waterfall”...Click to see all attraction info

★★★ Recommended Attraction = Hakodate Meiji-kan
The Kinendo Warehouse Complex was renovated from former port warehouses and now houses restaurants, shopping streets, and a small music hall. Hakodate Beer Hall serves authentic draft beer delivered directly from the factory. Kinendo Western Goods Building is the largest in the Kinendo complex, gathering over 20 boutique shops, most offering imported goods from around the world, including the Felissimo Christmas Museum...Click to see all attraction descriptions

★★★ Recommended Attraction = Snow Lantern Path
The Snow Lantern Path venue is divided into three main sections: the harbor canal, the Temiya Line, and the Lantern Road. The so-called Lantern Road is adorned with snow sculptures and lights along both sides of Otaru’s main boulevard. Coupled with the lighting from nearby shops, walking along it is extremely romantic. Following the candle-lit Central Street in front of the station, you’ll stroll leisurely toward the highlight—the harbor canal, where nearly 400 glass fishing lamps made from old fishing gear float on the water, shining brilliantly like stars, making snowy Otaru even more romantic. Each candle flame warms your heart deeply...Click to see all attraction descriptions

★★★ Recommended Attraction = Lake Onuma National Park
Lake Onuma National Park is set against the scenic background of Komagatake and encompasses Lakes Onuma, Konuma, and Junsainuma, making it the only national park in southern Hokkaido. Lakes Onuma, Konuma, and Junsainuma were all formed by volcanic eruptions of Mount Komagatake, with Onuma being the largest. There are 126 islands scattered across the lake, connected by 18 bridges between the islands. On Lake Onuma, you can also take a sightseeing cruise or go on a speedboat ride—it’s delightfully romantic and carefree...Click to see all attraction descriptions