All departures confirmed! Enjoy the ice art from daytime to the light-up at Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival with a 120-minute stay [Departing from Sapporo]
- All departure dates confirmed!
- We will guide you to the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, where ice sculptures of various sizes are lined up (held from Saturday, January 31st to Sunday, February 23rd, 2026). You can enjoy the beautiful blue of Lake Shikotsu during the day as well as the fantastic illumination.
- This is a winter festival representing Hokkaido, where water from Lake Shikotsu is sprayed by sprinklers and frozen to create ice sculptures of various sizes.
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Minimum participant requirement | 25 travelers |
| Tour types | Guided tour |
| Meal arrangement | Arrange yourself |
| Seasonal | Winter Snow Exclusive |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights, Bus tour |
| Transport | Bus tour |
Product Info
Purchase Notice
[Travel conditions]
Departure/Destination: Sapporo, Hokkaido
Length of trip: Day trip
Transportation: Chartered bus
Bus company: Sapporo Tourist Bus or equivalent
Meal conditions: Breakfast 0 times, Lunch 0 times, Dinner 0 times
Available accommodation: None
Minimum number of participants: 25
Tour conductor: 1
Guide: 0 (Guidance will be in Japanese) *No guide-interpreters will accompany the tour
[Travel planning/implementation]
Company name: CLUB TOURISM INTERNATIONAL INC
Address: 1-9-6 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Registration number: Tourism Agency Commissioner's Registered Travel Agency No. 1693
Travel industry association: Full member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents
[Consignment sales]
KKDAY JAPAN Inc.
2nd Floor, WESTALL Yotsuya Building, 1-22-5 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004
Tourism Agency Commissioner's Registered Travel Agency No. 2045
Member organization: Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
Reminders
Please arrive at the designated location 15 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
Cancellation fees will also be charged for delays or non-participation due to transportation delays, etc. The tour will depart at the scheduled departure time.
Regarding bus seating, if there is an odd number of participants on this tour, passengers will be seated together. Please note that we may ask that men and women share seats.
The order of the itinerary may be changed.
For safety reasons and to facilitate tour conductor duties, seats for tour conductors are provided at the front of the bus.
The bus may be delayed due to road conditions, but please wait at the designated meeting point.
The drop-off location upon return may differ from the boarding location.
Small and medium-sized buses may be used.
Due to unexpected road congestion and overcrowding at tourist spots, we may be forced to omit some sightseeing spots, shorten sightseeing time, change buses, or have delays in return time.
This tour involves walking around, so please wear rubber-soled shoes or sneakers and comfortable clothing.
It will be very cold. Please dress warmly. We recommend bringing cold weather gear such as a scarf, hat, earmuffs, and hand warmers, as well as non-slip footwear such as snow boots.
The travel fare for infants aged 3 to 6 (preschoolers) is the same as the child fare (3,990 yen with bus seat).
FAQ
Yes, the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival offers a truly unique and magical winter experience in Hokkaido. Visitors can marvel at stunning ice sculptures crafted from the clear waters of Lake Shikotsu, enjoy the beautiful natural blue hues during the day, and be enchanted by the fantastic nighttime illuminations. It's a key winter festival that showcases intricate ice art in a picturesque natural setting, making it a memorable destination.
The Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival features a diverse array of impressive ice sculptures of various sizes. These unique creations are formed by spraying the exceptionally clear water of Lake Shikotsu onto structures, allowing it to freeze into intricate shapes. Visitors can explore a landscape filled with ice arches, tunnels, and other artful formations, creating an ethereal wonderland that changes in appearance from day to night.
During the daytime, the ice sculptures at the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival display a beautiful, translucent blue color, reflecting the clarity of the lake's water and the natural light. As evening approaches and darkness sets in, the festival undergoes a spectacular transformation. The ice structures are illuminated with fantastic lights, bathing them in vibrant colors and creating a truly magical and mystical atmosphere distinct from the daytime experience.
To easily reach the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival from Sapporo without the need to drive on potentially challenging winter roads or navigate transfers, consider booking a dedicated tour. Many tours offer convenient round-trip transportation departing directly from locations like Sapporo North Exit, providing a comfortable and hassle-free journey directly to the festival venue.
To fully immerse yourself in the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival and appreciate its offerings, a stay of approximately 120 minutes is typically recommended. This duration allows ample time to admire the intricate ice sculptures, experience both the beautiful daytime ambiance and the fantastic evening illumination as dusk settles, and capture memorable photos of the unique winter art.
The Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is a seasonal winter event. For example, in 2026, it is scheduled to be held from Saturday, January 31st to Sunday, February 23rd. The festival typically runs for several weeks during the coldest part of winter, allowing a window for visitors to enjoy the unique ice art and displays.
Yes, the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival offers numerous engaging experiences and excellent photo opportunities. Visitors can stroll through a wonderland of unique ice sculptures, explore various ice structures, and enjoy interactive elements like ice slides or tunnels if available. The festival's transition from natural daylight to vibrant nighttime illumination provides distinct visual backdrops for photography.
The Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is notable for its unique method of creation, utilizing the exceptionally clear water of Lake Shikotsu to form its spectacular ice sculptures, resulting in a distinct blue transparency. It offers a captivating dual experience, showcasing natural beauty in daylight and a fantastic, vibrant illumination after sunset, all set against a stunning lakeside backdrop, highlighting Hokkaido's natural winter charm.
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