Imagine a beautiful remote lake in Hokkaido. Now, how would you like to stay there in a village made entirely of ice that exists only for one winter season?
For the people living in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, the severe cold and heavy snow in the winter can be a real challenge. But the organizers of a unique event called the Shikaribetsuko Kotan seem to have found a way to turn the cold into an asset by offering visitors the chance to have the full Hokkaido winter experience.
The event, which takes place at Lake Shikaribetsu (Shikaribetsuko in Japanese) in central Hokkaido, was started about 35 years ago by local youths who wanted to turn this lonely lake with very few visitors during the winter into a special place where people would actually be able to enjoy the cold weather. Their brilliant idea? Building an entire village of ice and snow on the lake each year!
The lake itself is a place of amazing unspoiled natural beauty, located on the southern end of the Daisetsuzan National Park. The pristine body of water is one of the clearest lakes in Japan, and the cold climate means it completely freezes over in the winter, making it possible to create buildings of ice on it, including igloo shaped ice lodges, an ice bar lounge and even an ice chapel. And you know what just might be the coolest part about all this? Because all the buildings and structures are made using only natural snow and ice from the lake, the entire village simply melts away and disappears come springtime!
▼ Yes, all of this will be gone in the spring!
The actual buildings are built from blocks of ice made by compressing the snow, which allows the structures to be made in various, aesthetically pleasing shapes with a certain degree of architectural freedom. The lodges where the guests stay in particular are constructed in an attractive igloo shape.
▼ The ice lodges look beautiful, especially by moonlight.
▼ Here’s what it looks like inside one of the lodges.
▼ They’ve also built gorgeous ice chapels in different shapes over the years.
▼ The interior of the chapel looks otherworldly, cast in a beautiful pale blue light.
▼ They even have an ice concert hall where singers, bands and dancers give live performances.
▼ Of course, you need a bar when you’re on vacation, right? The ice bar at Shikaribetsuko Kotan is utterly cool both in temperature and in awesomeness!
▼ The ice bar has been a fixture at the event for over 30 years, and it features counters and pillars made of huge ice blocks cut out from the frozen lake, allowing you to admire the magnificence of natural ice.
▼ People seem to be having a grand time enjoying drinks at the bar:
▼ And you can even relax in an outdoor hot bath with a spectacular view!
Other activities guests can enjoy at the Shikaribetsuko Kotan include an ice theater where videos are shown projected on a screen of ice in the bar area, a small ice maze for kids, rental snow mobiles, ice cup and sculpture making classes, nature walks in the woods and cross-country skiing.
This year’s Shikaribetsuko Kotan will be held from January 28 to March 21, and it should be a fascinating winter experience in a stunning natural environment, but it is in a remote area of Hokkaido, so if you’re interested, you may want to inquire with a travel agency that can help you make transport and accommodation arrangements. It certainly should make for an unforgettable snow filled vacation — just make sure to keep warm!
▼ We’ll leave you with a Google Street View of the Lake Shikaribetsu area:
Source: Shikaribetsuko Kotan website, Shikaribetsuko Nature Center
Photos: courtesy of Shikaribetsuko Nature Center
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
Japan’s ice hotel, ice wedding chapel, and ice village return to Hokkaido this winter
A chance to experience what goes into making Japan’s Chitose Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Mr. Sato channels his inner Elsa, books a night at a Hokkaido ice hotel 【Photos】
A convenience store made of ice is being built in Japan
Tokyo street sweets: The must-snack treats of Nakano’s Refutei
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Japanese Mame Shiba Inu banknote design pays homage to nation’s beloved dog
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Senkoji: The Japanese temple that’s more like a theme park to heaven and hell
Studio Ghibli releases The Boy and the Heron merchandise in Japan【Pics】
Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service returns to theaters with first-ever IMAX screenings and remaster
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Cold never bothered you anyway? Then spend a night at this Hokkaido ice hotel!
Five amazing snow-view open-air Japanese hot springs in Hokkaido [Photos]
Three beautiful outside-the-cities places to visit in Hokkaido with a connection to Golden Kamuy
A beautiful night in the Hokkaido woods with immersive Ainu folktale Kamuy Lumina【Photos】
Sapporo Snow Festival reveals upcoming ice sculptures and displays for 2018
Heavy snowfall comes early to Japan, creates beautiful images of snow-covered autumn leaves【Pics】
Five of Japan’s best locations to ski and snowboard
Secluded sauna in Hokkaido lets you enjoy steamy sits and ice-water dips in one isolated location
Japan Bucket List II: 8 places you need to visit to really understand Japan