The Enchanting Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival::Hokkaido::Winter Festival

The 2010 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival will be held from January 29 to February 14. It is one of Hokkaido’s most iconic winter festivals, combining light and ice to showcase the unique blue of Lake Shikotsu and breathtaking scenery.

Lake Shikotsu is a volcanic crater lake with an unfathomable depth, ranking as the second deepest in Japan. It is also known as Japan’s northernmost unfrozen lake. The Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in winter is another fascinating winter event, alongside the Sapporo Snow Festival.

The festival venue is located near Shikotsu Onsen, where large observation decks, arch structures, and other installations are made from frozen Lake Shikotsu water. The ice formations crafted from sprayed lake water and massive ice sculptures, paired with colorful neon lights, present a tranquil pale blue landscape during the day. When illuminated at night, the scene becomes even more dazzling and mysterious, transforming the shores of Lake Shikotsu into a fantastical ice and snow world...Click to view all attraction introductions

★★★Extended Reading = An Alternative Warm Travel Plan in the Frozen Wilderness::Hokkaido::The Warm Abashiri Festival!
"Discover the New Northern Continent – The Warm Abashiri!" Held annually from late January to early March in Abashiri, the Abashiri Warm Festival is a spectacular event meticulously planned against the backdrop of the frigid northern snowy landscape. Yet, from its promotional materials to the activities themselves, it radiates heartfelt warmth, making you eager to dive into sub-zero temperatures of minus 20°C and experience the most exhilarating winter ever....Click to view all attraction introductions