Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan
A Fleeting Village of Ice and Snow on a Frozen Lake
Built from the ice and snow of Lake Shikaribetsu, this seasonal village appears only in the depths of winter, when the lake freezes solid beneath a vast Hokkaido sky.
Located within Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido, the lake becomes a world of quiet white each winter. Using clear ice and snow, the “Kotan”—the Ainu word for “village”—is hand-built anew every year. Inside igloo-like ice structures, sunlight filters through translucent walls, bathing the interiors in a soft blue glow. Maintained for over 40 years, this seasonal creation has become one of Hokkaido’s most distinctive winter landscapes, shaped by pure water and extreme cold.
The unique “open-air bath on ice” offers a remarkable experience: soaking in warm mineral water while crisp winter air touches your skin, surrounded by endless silence. Above, a clear night sky reveals a brilliant canopy of stars. At the Ice Bar, drinks are served in glasses carved from solid ice, letting you feel winter’s chill with every sip. Nearby, the Ice Chapel—built entirely of snow and ice—creates a serene, otherworldly space that has hosted intimate wedding ceremonies. For adventure seekers, snowmobiles and snow rafting offer exhilarating ways to cross the frozen lake, where engine sounds quickly fade into the stillness.
Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan is a rare seasonal world where nature and human craftsmanship meet—quiet, transient, and unlike anywhere else on earth.
- * Please note that the text shown on this page includes machine translations.
- * The event information is based on the dates and content of the most recently held events. Please check the official website for details as the contents are subject to change.
- Travel Inspiration
- Enjoy spectacular views
- Picturesque spots
- Nearest airports
General Information
- Event period
- 2026/1/24 - 3/15
- Event venue
- Lake Shikaribetsu
- Postal code
- 〒081-0344
- Address
- 北海道河東郡鹿追町北瓜幕無番地
- Telephone Number
- 0156-69-8181（Lake Shikaribetsu Nature Center）
- Open
- 9:00-20:00
- Closed
- Open every day during the period
- Prices
- Sponsorship available (see related link)
- Car Park
- 100 spaces, free
- Directions
- ●By car: About 50 minutes from JR Shintoku Station
●By car: About 60 minutes from Doto Expwy Tokachi Shimizu IC - Website
* Information on facilities is subject to change. Please check each official website for the latest information.
