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Event Guide · Hokkaido

Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival

January–FebruarySapporo2027: Jan 30 – Feb 23
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Overview

Overview

A winter event featuring ice sculptures of all sizes, made by spraying water from Lake Shikotsu, known as Japan's northernmost ice-free lake, and letting it freeze. Sometimes called an "art museum of ice," it glows with blue "Shikotsu Blue" ice by day and turns into a dreamlike scene under colorful illuminations at night.

When
Usually late January to late February (about 3–4 weeks)
Confirmed dates: 2027: Jan 30 – Feb 23
Venue
Special site at Shikotsuko Onsen (Shikotsuko Onsen, Chitose, Hokkaido)
Official website
https://hyoutou-special.asia/
Highlights

Highlights

The biggest draw is getting to enjoy both the daytime "Shikotsu Blue," when ice made from lake water glows blue in natural light, and the rainbow-colored illuminations at night. You can walk through ice tunnels and cave-like structures.

Times

Times

Opening hours10:00–20:00

From the 2027 festival announcement (Chitose Tourism Association)

Illumination16:30–20:00

From the 2027 festival announcement (Chitose Tourism Association). Around dusk, the ice shifts from blue to colorful lights

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓For 2027, the support fee (admission) is 1,000 yen on weekdays and 3,000 yen on weekends and holidays (junior high school age and up; free for elementary school age and under), according to announcements by the Chitose Tourism Association and the organizers. Weekdays are recommended to avoid crowds and save money
  • ✓The blue ice by day and the illuminations at night feel very different. To see both, arrive in the 15:00 hour, walk around while it's still light, then wait for the illuminations (from 16:30)
  • ✓The "Hyoto BLUE LINER" reservation-only shuttle bus runs between New Chitose Airport/JR Chitose Station and the venue (2026: adults 2,000 yen one way, all seats reserved in advance). Book early, including your return trip
  • ✓There are onsen inns near the venue that offer day-use bathing, so you can warm up after your visit
  • ✓The ground is packed snow and ice, so wear winter boots with good grip or attachable shoe spikes
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • Shikotsuko (Hokkaido Chuo Bus stop)Right outsideShikotsuko Onsen Bus Terminal. The venue is in a corner of the hot spring town
From major stations
  • JR Chitose Station: Hokkaido Chuo Bus (Shikotsuko Line), get off at "Shikotsuko" (About 45 min–1 hour)
  • New Chitose Airport: Reservation-only "Hyoto BLUE LINER" shuttle bus (runs during the festival, via JR Chitose Station) or taxi (About 40 min by taxi)
  • Sapporo Station: JR Rapid Airport to Chitose Station (about 30 min), then transfer to a Chuo Bus (About 1 hour 30 min or more)
Extra buses & shuttles
Yes. The "Hyoto BLUE LINER" runs between New Chitose Airport, JR Chitose Station, and Shikotsuko Onsen Bus Terminal (2026: 1/31–2/23, one way adults 2,000 yen, children 1,000 yen, all seats reserved in advance, operated by Sapporo Kanko Bus). It has been announced that it will also run in 2027
IC cards (Suica etc.)
On JR (to Chitose Station and New Chitose Airport Station), transport IC cards such as Kitaca and Suica can be used. Check with each bus company whether they are accepted on local buses and the shuttle bus
Getting back
  • Local buses from Shikotsuko are infrequent. If you plan to stay until the illuminations end (20:00), check the time of the last bus back beforehand
  • All shuttle bus seats are reserved, so book your return trip in advance as well
  • Roads around Lake Shikotsu in winter can be icy, and blizzards can reduce visibility. If you have no experience driving on winter roads, it's safer not to rent a car
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
Weekends and holidays, especially around the start of the illuminations (about 16:30–18:00)
Quieter times
Weekday daytime (about 10:00–14:00)
Time needed
About 1 hour to see the venue. Allow 2–3 hours to see it both by day and at night
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
In nearby Chitose, the normal low in February is around -10°C (a reference value based on JMA normals). Nights by the lake can be even colder
What to wear
A thick down coat or similar, a hat, gloves, thick socks, and waterproof boots with good grip. Disposable hand warmers are handy too
Rain, snow & typhoons
No cancellation criteria have been published. In severe weather such as snowstorms, opening hours may change, the venue may close temporarily, or buses may be suspended
Where to check for cancellations
Official website (https://hyoutou-special.asia/), Shikotsu-Toya National Park Lake Shikotsu Management Council, TEL 0123-23-8288
☁ Hokkaido weather in January →☁ Hokkaido weather in February →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Take your trash home
  • !Do not climb on the ice sculptures or scrape or break the ice
  • !The venue is inside a national park, so do not damage the natural environment. Do not fly drones without permission
  • !The ice paths are slippery, so do not run
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
  • !Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
Use the public toilets in Shikotsuko Onsen or nearby facilities
Lockers & luggage
Coin lockers near the venue are limited. It's best to leave suitcases at New Chitose Airport or Chitose Station before coming
Paying at food stalls
The support fee, shops, and stalls may be cash only, so bring cash to be safe
ATMs
There are few banks or convenience stores in Shikotsuko Onsen. Get cash in advance in central Chitose or at the airport
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
The paths inside the venue are packed snow and ice, making it difficult to get around with a wheelchair or stroller
Food

Food

Local favorites
Himemasu (kokanee salmon) dishes, a Lake Shikotsu specialtyWarm snacks and drinks from the venue's food stalls
Vegetarian & halal
Vegetarian and halal labels are rare, so bring your own food if needed
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

There are few inns at Shikotsuko Onsen, and weekends during the festival fill up quickly. To enjoy the illuminations at a relaxed pace, book early or stay in Chitose or Sapporo and travel by bus

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice FestivalPR

PRSee more places to stay near Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival on Agoda →

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Attractions

Attractions in Sapporo

Zoo

Sapporo Maruyama Zoo

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo / Maruyama

Opened in 1951, this is Hokkaido's oldest zoo and is run by the City of Sapporo. Set next to Maruyama Park, its grounds cover about 22 hectares and are home to around 140 species of animals.

Aquarium

AOAO SAPPORO

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo / Tanukikoji

An urban aquarium on the 4th to 6th floors of moyuk SAPPORO, a shopping complex facing the Tanukikoji shopping arcade. Built around the concept "The Wonder of Life: Seeing the Unseen," it serves as a gateway to nature in the middle of the city and stays open until 22:00.

☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
Experience

Shiroi Koibito Park

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

A confectionery theme park attached to the factory of Ishiya, the maker of Shiroi Koibito, a classic Hokkaido souvenir. It offers production line tours, sweets-making experiences, cafés, and shops, and the shops and rose garden can be used without an admission ticket. It's about a 5-minute walk from Miyanosawa Station on the Tozai subway line, making it easy to reach from central Sapporo.

Experience

HOKKAIDO BALLPARK F VILLAGE

Hokkaido ・ Kitahiroshima

A ballpark centered on ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO, home of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, open 365 days a year. On non-game days, you can enter the stadium's outfield area for free and enjoy stadium tours, hot springs, kids' facilities, and restaurants. It's about 17 minutes from Sapporo Station to Kitahiroshima Station on the JR Rapid Airport, then about 5 minutes by shuttle bus from the station.

See all attractions →
Events

Events & festivals in Hokkaido

February

Sapporo Snow Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually early February (about one week)

2027 (77th): Feb 4 (Thu) – Feb 11 (Thu, holiday), 8 days

February

Otaru Snow Light Path

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

Usually about one week in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)

2027: Feb 6 – Feb 13

February

Asahikawa Winter Festival

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually about 6 days in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)

2027 (68th): Feb 6 – Feb 11

April–October

Lake Toyako Long Run Fireworks Display

Hokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya

Usually every night from late April to October 31 (about 20 minutes from 20:45)

2026: Apr 28 – Oct 31 (held nightly; currently underway)

May

Sapporo Lilac Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually mid- to late May (about 10 days at the Odori Site, and 2 days on the final weekend at the Kawashimo Site)

June

YOSAKOI Soran Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually Wednesday to Sunday (5 days) in early to mid-June

2027 (36th): Jun 9 (Wed) – Jun 13 (Sun), 5 days

July–August

Sapporo Summer Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late July to mid-August (the beer gardens run for about 4 weeks; Hokkai Bon Odori is held during Obon, and the Susukino Festival for 3 days in early August)

July

Otaru Ushio Festival

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

Usually Friday to Sunday in late July (3 days, with a grand fireworks display on the final night)

August

Hakodate Port Festival

Hokkaido ・ Hakodate

Usually August 1–5 (fireworks on the first day, parades on the 2nd and 3rd)

September–October

Sapporo Autumn Fest

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually early to late September, or into early October (about 3 weeks)

2026: Sep 11 – Oct 3 (currently underway)

November–March

Sapporo White Illumination

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late November to mid-March of the following year (the Odori Site runs from late November to December 25)

2026: Opens Nov 20 (Odori Site until Dec 25; Ekimae-dori Site until Feb 11, 2027; Minami 1-jo-dori, Kita 3-jo Plaza, and Sapporo Station South Exit until Mar 14, 2027)

December–March

Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually held daily from mid- to late December (once there is enough snow) until around mid-March

December

Hakodate Christmas Fantasy

Hokkaido ・ Hakodate

Usually starts in late November to early December and runs until December 25

2026: Dec 1 (Tue) – Dec 25 (Fri)

See all events →

Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-09-30

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