Have you ever enjoy in the bulk of ice? If no then Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is waiting for you in the land of rising sun, Japan. So enter the magical world of ice and snow to enjoy the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival. So considered as the most noteworthy event in the country. Festival held at Lake Shikotsu hot springs in Toya National Park of Shikotsu that is just 40-minute drive by car from Sapporo City.
These are lines of ice statuettes, made by scattering water from the lake. So it is called as coolest water in Japan because it can freeze. So visitors can enjoy by sliding on this water in boots. The horse riding is very popular among the children at this venue. Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival held on Saturday, Sunday or public holidays during the time of the whole event. They launch Wadaiko drum performances and more than 300 fireworks during this festival. For day visitors, there is the facility of the bath, so they enjoy the delicious meal. But the view of night is very eye-catching because they illuminate ice falls. This is the second deepest lake in the country, and widespread due clarity of the water makes the best stay of visitors during the whole season.
But before visiting this venue take some precautions in your minds.
Precautions
Due to a lot of ice and water, the site is very slippery so take care of yourself while walking.
There are some possibilities of shortened the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival which may be possible due to traffic congestion. So people who arrival late at the lake will not be able to see fireworks. The function of fireworks will hold on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays during the festival. During fireworks, stay time of visitors will also increase 30 minutes. They offer free green tea, Melon Soda, Coca-cola Soda, oolong tea, the glass of Amazake and 10% discounts on other kinds of drinks just after showing Regular Sightseeing Bus Tour Ticket at Restaurant Memere.
Despite these, there are also some individual notes while visiting Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival.
Individual Notes
If there is no reservation for festival till 18:00 then tour will be cancelled.
Due to limited facilities and seats, arrival time will be earlier than that of schedule of the festival; festival may also cancel due to some kinds of natural disaster.
Duration of the tour will depend on the traffic of tourists which may be increase or decrease; schedule of buses may also be affected due to weather conditions and traffic.
Weather of Lake Shikotsu is frigid therefore dress warmly before attending this festival.
If you are departing from the airport, then come to the point of meeting 10 or 15 minutes before the departure.
Book tickets for children from the age of 6 to 11 years because they also require a seat during traveling by bus, but children below this age do not need any ticket.
In the case of any cancellation of the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival by visitors, then they will inform 2 hours before the departure of the bus, so if they report on the time of departure, then they will charge 100% of the tour package. Festival is held between the ends of the January to the Middle of February every year. So temperature at this venue is below -20 at night, and below the -10 at day time, the whole visit is about of 45 minutes, and it is a busy site during the festival.
So Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is only held in Japan.
