Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival

• Jan. 24 to Feb. 16, 2020
• 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Illumination from 4:30 p.m.)

The annual Chitose Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival sees the banks of Lake Shikotsu transformed into a magical frozen kingdom. With colorfully illuminated ice castles and a whole host of wintry activities, it’s a fantastic way to make the most of the season’s cold weather!

You’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to another world as you wander around these surreal frozen abodes.

Lake Shikotsu is part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park, in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido. It was formed in a volcanic crater and is surrounded by three volcanic mountains.

Enjoy sculptures, ice skating, and more

During the ice festival, the lake’s water is used to create a huge range of stunning ice sculptures. The statues glisten blue under the sunshine during the day, but at night they’re illuminated in a host of bright colors forming a magical fairytale kingdom. You’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to another world as you wander around (and even inside) these surreal frozen abodes.

The sculptures are the main attraction, but there are plenty of other activities to enjoy during your visit. Glide across the ice rink, go down the ice slide or go for a horseback ride. To take it up a notch, pledge your eternal love for your significant other with an “ice wedding.”

As with any good festival, you can also find plenty of local food and drink stalls. Warm up with a bowl of oden (a classic Japanese soup), hot soba, and udon noodles.

On weekends and holidays, there are additional events including powerful taiko drumming performances and spectacular fireworks displays. After an evening of chilly fun, you can relax in any of the nearby onsen (hot springs). It’s the only suitable honeymoon for an ice wedding, really.

Want more icy winter festivals? Check out our list of the Top 10 Snow and Ice Festivals in Japan. Brrrr.