Winter can be harsh at times, but it can also be fun if used well. And there are people living in local areas of Hokkaido who would like to entertain visitors and have fun together, making use of the local natural beauty and/or creating snow and ice sculptures and organizing events of all sizes, just like the on-going Sapporo snow festival is doing.
The Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival introduced here is one such event.
Ice objects/sculptures that come in various forms and sizes are made from the clear water of the beautiful Lake Shikotsu, combining the images of waves and splashes of the lake’s surface during the frigid season, with the color of “Shikotsuko Blue” the Shikotsu lake water which is one of the clearest in Japan.

Around the end of December, when the temperature drops dramatically, the lake water starts to be pumped up and is sprayed to the base structure of all the objects, so that they will be gradually made larger in size and ready for the festival. (A big applause for their 24-hour shift workers!)
The festival is truly the fruit of the biting cold of Lake Shikotsu and the passion and perseverance of the production team and people involved.

Last year, the festival had to be stopped halfway through, due to warm winter and safety concerns. This year the production team is taking revenge by introducing a new technology to create a more robust ice world to welcome you.

We hope you will enjoy the natural ‘Lake Shikotsu blue’ ice sculptures during the day and the fantastic illumination of the whole festival site at night, while enjoying a hot drink.

Ref. 2025 Chitose Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival Homepge *includes
colorful night view photos

https://hyoutou-special.asia/
 
K MINAMI