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Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival Tour with Ice Art and Illumination

Sapporo, Japanby Club Tourism International Inc.

  • 4.5 hours
  • Free cancellation
  • Up to 42 travelers
  • Mobile or paper ticket accepted
  • Guide: English

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Overview

The Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival showcases stunning ice sculptures crafted from the lake's crystal-clear waters, creating a captivating winter wonderland. This tour provides an opportunity to enjoy the festival both during the day, when the ice exhibits beautiful shades of blue, and under the enchanting evening illumination. With approximately 2 hours to explore, you can immerse yourself in the unique artistry of the ice and witness the transformation as colorful lights bring the sculptures to life. Enjoy convenient round-trip transportation from Sapporo, making this a perfect winter outing. - Experience Hokkaido's iconic winter festival at Lake Shikotsu - Admire spectacular ice sculptures made from crystal-clear water - Enjoy both stunning daytime views and magical evening lights - Convenient round-trip transport from Sapporo with ample exploration time

What's included

  • Japanese-speaking tour conductor using a translation app for assistance
  • Round-trip bus transportation
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Personal expenses (e.g., souvenirs, shopping)
  • National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter

Itinerary

  1. 1

    Chitose Shikotsu Lake Hyoto Matsuri

    2 hours

    After meeting your tour conductor, travel approximately 80 minutes to Lake Shikotsu. You will spend approximately 120 minutes at the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, one of Hokkaido's most iconic winter events. The ice sculptures are created using water from Lake Shikotsu, one of Japan's clearest lakes, resulting in striking formations that display beautiful natural shades of blue during the day. As the afternoon progresses, the atmosphere gradually changes with the start of the evening illumination. Colorful lights transform the ice structures into a dreamlike winter landscape, offering a completely different experience from the daytime views. This tour allows you to enjoy both the natural beauty of the ice and the magical effects of the nighttime lighting during a single visit. After enjoying the festival and illumination, begin the return journey to Sapporo. The tour concludes at the Sapporo Station at approximately 7:00 PM.

Meeting and pickup

Meet at the North Exit Group Bus Stop at Sapporo Station, near the eastern side of the North Exit. NOT from the western side of North Exit! Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled meeting time. The tour conductor will be holding a flag and a placard with the local tour operator's logo

End point

Meet at the North Exit Group Bus Stop at Sapporo Station, near the eastern side of the North Exit. NOT from the western side of North Exit! Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled meeting time. The tour conductor will be holding a flag and a placard with the local tour operator's logo

Good to know

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour is operated for both Japanese and foreign customers. A Japanese tour conductor will accompany the group and provide key information using a translation app. Please note that the tour conductor is not a tour guide and will focus on sharing essential information during the tour.
  • Temperatures can be extremely cold. Please dress warmly. We recommend bringing cold-weather gear such as a scarf, hat, earmuffs, and hand warmers, and wearing non-slip footwear such as winter boots.
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  • According to traffic conditions etc, the order of the itinerary may be changed.
  • Delays or omissions made to the itinerary due to circumstances beyond the control of the tour operator are not subject to a refund
  • Delays due to transportation issues or non-participation will be subject to cancellation fees. The tour will depart at the time indicated.
  • Infants (0-2 years old) are free of charge with no arrangement.
  • Traffic congestion may occur, which could result in a later return time than scheduled.
  • [Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival] Event Period: Scheduled from January 30 (Sat) to February 23 (Tue, Public Holiday), 2027. Opening Hours: 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. (Illuminations: 4:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.) Venue: Lake Shikotsu Onsen, Chitose, Hokkaido

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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