Start planning your trip
Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival 2025: Highlights, Access, Hotels
The Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is held every February in Lake Shikoku Onsen, Hokkaido. The event showcases towering ice formations, tunnels, and sculptures that are lit up in the evenings. Discover the festival highlights, this year's dates, access tips, and hotels in the area.
Chitose - Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival 2025
The Chitose - Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is an annual winter event held in Lake Shikotsu Onsen, Hokkaido. This festival features enchanting ice formations, creating a miniature ice village filled with breathtaking attractions and activities.
During the day, the festival glistens in a light icy blue color but in the evening, it transforms with colorful illuminations, making it a must-visit event when exploring Japan in February.
From soaring fireworks and ice skating to magnificent displays, this article introduces the highlights of the Chitose - Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival 2025, the event's history, access information, and more!
Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival 2025 Guide
1. Festival Dates and Venue
2. History and Concept
3. Festival Highlights
4. Access Information
5. Hotels in Chitose - Lake Shikotsu
Chitose - Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival 2025: Dates and Venue
Photo by Pixta
Lake Shikotsu is one of Japan's clearest lakes and the second-deepest in Hokkaido at approximately 363 meters.
The Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival takes place annually each February in Lake Shikotsu Onsen, a district of Chitose situated by Lake Shikotsu within the Shikotsu-Toya National Park.
In 2025, the Chitose - Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival will be held from February 1 to 24.
Photo courtesy of PR Times
During the day, the ice sculptures radiate a unique icy blue color known as Shikotsu Blue.
Photo courtesy of PRTimes
As the clock strikes 16:30, illuminations will light up the venue with beautiful vivid colors, transforming it into a mystical, glowing land that has been frozen in time!
Like a scene from a fantasy movie, marvel at this icy wonderland as the ambiance shifts from day to night and explore an uncharted world of crisp formations, each unique and fleeting.
Chitose - Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival 2025: Event Details
Dates: February 1 - 24, 2025
Hours: 10:00 - 20:00
Light-up hours: 16:30 - 20:00
Venue: Lake Shikotsu Onsen, Chitose, Hokkaido
Admission: 1,000 yen (*admission is free for elementary school students and below)
Official website: https://hyoutou-special.asia/
Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival: History and Concept
Photo courtesy of PR Times
Dazzling visitors since 1979, the Chitose Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival was established by local volunteers to attract visitors from near and far to the region during the winter months.
Photo by Pixta
A collaboration between man and nature, the ice sculptures are meticulously crafted by volunteers who spray water from the Shikotsu Lake through hoses onto metal and wooden frames that serve as the bases for the structures.
Due to the freezing temperatures, the water solidifies, forming ice. By repeating this process, layers of thin ice build up, transforming the unique structures into thick, uniquely shaped sculptures!
Photo by Pixta
The festival has become a tremendous success, attracting approximately 200,000 visitors each year with its incredible, larger-than-life ice formations.
These include towering pillars, caverns, ponds, tunnels, food stalls, and more, all of which are beautifully illuminated at night.
Highlights of the Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Photo by Pixta
Each year, the festival changes its layout and areas, bringing a refreshing and unique experience. Here are some of the highlights you can expect in 2025.
1. Beautiful Ice Art Displays
Photo by Pixta
In 2025, visitors can enjoy a variety of frosty areas filled with entertainment and Instagram-worthy scenery.
From an icy tunnel glowing in blue to a delightful frozen Music Zone and an ice-skating area, guests can explore a maze-like winter wonderland brimming with delights.
Photo by Pixta
Other highlights include a sculpture inspired by a frozen waterfall and breathtaking views from the iced observation deck.
After exploring, guests can relax at a beauty salon and spa, enjoy comforting food at cozy food stalls, and indulge in some gift shopping.
2. Fireworks
Photo by PR Times
During the evenings, fireworks will light up the sky over the venue, adding colorful sparks and enhancing the magical spirit of the festival.
3. Tours and Special Access
Photo by PR Times
Visitors who stay at Lake Shikotsu Onsen have the unique opportunity to choose an accommodation plan that includes a premium time ticket for the Chitose Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival Ice Museum.
This allows them special access to the festival after closing hours!
Photo by Pixta
Furthermore, tickets are available for a guided tour of the Ice Museum at the Chitose Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival.
This tour offers visitors a rare opportunity to learn about the festival's history and marvel at the ice sculptures, hidden wooden structures, walls, and more!
Lake Shikotsu Onsen Premium Time Ticket: https://hyoutou-special.asia/2021/01/15/ticket
Guided Tour of the Ice Museum at the Chitose Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival: https://hyoutou-special.asia/2022/01/31/tourguide
Access to the Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
From Tokyo
Photo by Pixta
The Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival venue can be accessed directly from New Chitose Airport via taxi, bus, or car.
From Tokyo, the best way to travel to the venue is to take a flight to Sapporo New Chitose Airport and then take a bus.
The flight takes approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes from Narita Airport, with the cheapest flights costing around 5,460 yen with Jetstar.
Alternatively, you can take a Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, then transfer to Minami-Chitose Station, where a bus is available. However, this trip is more expensive, costing around 29,490 yen in total and taking approximately 9 hours.
From New Chitose Airport
Photo by Pixta
For those choosing to travel by bus, you can take the New Chitose Airport Limousine Bus to Shikotsuko, which runs every 2 hours.
The bus ride costs 1,260 yen one way and takes approximately 53 minutes. Once you arrive at the Shikotsuko Bus Terminal, the festival venue is only a one-minute walk away.
Taxis can be booked at the airport and will cost around 7,000 yen. The advantage of booking a taxi is that you can choose any time you would like to travel, and it takes about 40 minutes to reach the site.
For those wanting to drive, in the article below you can find car rental companies near the airport and compare the prices:
Hotels in Chitose - Lake Shikotsu
1. Kyukamura Shikotsuko: For Family Travel
Photo courtesy of Booking.com
Kyukamura Shikotsuko is an ideal choice for families visiting the festival.
This family-friendly accommodation offers large, spacious rooms that can accommodate up to four people.
Guests can enjoy hot spring baths and a sauna, perfect for warming up after a long day of walking in the snow. In the morning, don't miss out on the breakfast buffet before heading out to the festival.
2. Ame no Hi to Yuyake: Ideal for Couples
Photo courtesy of Booking.com
Ame no Hi to Yuyake is a 4-star ryokan perched by Shikotsu Lake in Shikotsu Onsen Town, offering great views of the lake and its surroundings.
Photo courtesy of Booking.com
Visitors who stay here can enjoy the ryokan's stylish interiors, as well as excellent features such as an elegant bar and restaurant onsite, along with a jacuzzi and hot tub. Onsite parking is free, making this a great choice for those traveling by car.
3. Shikotsuko Onsen Lake Side Villa Suimeikaku: A Quiet Retreat for Adults
Photo courtesy of Booking.com
Situated on the lakeside, Shikotsuko Onsen Lake Side Villa Suimeikaku is a 4-star ryokan ideal for couples seeking a high-quality stay and luxury.
At the villa, guests can enjoy drinks while marveling at the lakeside views and indulge in delicious local cuisine.
The villa offers rooms with private open-air baths, allowing you to enjoy a hot spring bath in private at any time. Onsite, there is free parking as well as luggage storage.
Join the Fun at the Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival!
Hokkaido is the perfect place to fully enjoy snow and winter activities. Why not book a trip during the snowy months and include this wonderful festival as part of your itinerary? The incredible ice formations will leave a lasting impression!
Hotels near Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Read also
Main image by Pixta
Assistant editor at MATCHA since 2023, Kate is a photographer who enjoys traveling Japan's hidden gems and adventuring off the beaten path. Living in Japan since 2018, she has traveled across different areas of Japan. From indulging in Aomori’s apple pies and fiery festivals to exploring the quaint charm of Nagasaki’s cat-filled streets she is always searching for new areas full of atmospheric beauty, festivals, and seasonal events to capture on camera.Assistant editor at MATCHA since 2023, Kate is a photographer who enjoys traveling Japan's hidden gems and adventuring off the beaten path.