Lake Shikotsu Hokkaido’s hidden gem? Instagram goldmine?
Temperature – 2
About an hour by bus from the airport is Lake Shikotsu, which hosts the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival. I discovered this hidden gem surprisingly thanks to advertisements on Facebook. Although shuttle bus tickets are slightly more expensive than local bus tickets, I highly recommend paying the extra cost to secure a guaranteed seat. The local bus may turn you away if it cannot accommodate you, and if you do manage to squeeze onto the bus, you’ll have an uncomfortable hour standing. The shuttle bus connects Chitose and the Airport to the festival, so you can fit in one last trip before a flight out. It was also a great chance to go off the beaten track.
The shuttle bus was warm and comfortable. I was able to place my bag in the hold and enjoy an hour of scenic views of mountains and snow. If you look closely, you might be able to spot deer along the roadside and in the forests. It reminded me a little of some of the scenic passes in Scotland.
The Ice Festival is quite rural, with only a few hotels available. There are no convenience stores, and limited local shops sell food at higher prices due to the festival and location.
The view of the lake is breathtaking but be warned—the wind that sweeps across it can be harsh on unprotected hands. Be sure to dress warmly for this festival, as there are limited warm spots compared to Sapporo. I visited the festival on the first shuttle and was surprised to find very few people there. This allowed me to take plenty of selfies and pictures at my leisure, without having to wait in line. However, as the day progressed and more people arrived, some queues started to form. Unlike the festival in Sapporo, which features intricately carved ice sculptures, Lake Shikotsu showcases the beauty of more natural ice formations.
The exhibits feature majestic ice pillars, an ice wall, an ice tunnel with an icicle ceiling, an ice shrine, an ice fort, and much more. Each exhibit is naturally formed and designed around a structure that helps maintain its shape while ensuring the safety of guests. Despite these features, the authentic vibe remains intact, allowing visitors to feel truly connected to nature. I felt as though I had stepped into a winter wonderland or been transported into the movie "Ice Age."
At nighttime the whole place is light up with stunning colours but planning your way home if you stay late should be considered. I can easily see people getting stranded if the weather turns and the bus is unable to make it to the location.
There is an ice “café” that serves hot consommé, corn potage, tea, coffee, and marshmallows that can be roasted over open fires. This café offers a wonderful opportunity to warm up and take shelter for a while, even though the shelter itself is made of ice. The open fires are extremely hot, making it enjoyable to roast marshmallows. The people running this event certainly know what they are doing.
Every exhibit is perfect for Instagram photos, and selfies with the ice wall as a background turn out stunning. The sunlight hitting the ice wall creates a beautiful blue glow. The ice tunnel is well-lit, allowing you to see the hanging icicles and the frozen foliage that decorates the area. The location is very picturesque; I even saw a couple who had just gotten engaged taking pictures with a professional photographer. I had a lot of fun at Lake Shikotsu and am thrilled that I had the chance to visit. I often get annoyed by the sea of advertisements that clutter social media, but this was a rare occasion when I felt truly grateful. The festival offered so many beautiful photo opportunities, and I genuinely felt I had explored as much as possible during my short time in Hokkaido.
I can honestly say that in the seven months I have been in Japan, my trip to Hokkaido was by far the most memorable experience, and I truly made the most of my time there. The festival is worth a visit, and I recommend adding it to your bucket list. I hope to return to Hokkaido during the summer to explore Hakodate and other locations in the prefecture. I really enjoyed the cuisine and will miss the soup curry. The beautiful landscapes and rural charm of the prefecture also contribute to my desire to return.
I used to live in a very flat county in the UK, where most areas were quite level until you reached the Peak District. Most mountains are found primarily in Scotland or certain parts of Wales. Therefore, seeing the mountains in Hokkaido was a unique experience for me. Hokkaido is the largest prefecture in Japan, and it is characterized by rugged natural landscapes. It often ranks highly on lists of the best road trips in Japan and the most beautiful prefectures, and it’s easy to see why. To explore Hokkaido thoroughly, one would need to take longer trips or make multiple return visits. Of all the prefectures I have visited so far, Hokkaido has a distinct atmosphere, feeling quite different from the rest of Japan. I am eager to learn more about it and to explore further.
