World Ice Sculpture Competition
Asahikawa’s Spectacular Winter Masterpieces
Discover the breathtaking precision of world-class ice art at Japan’s only international ice sculpting competition, held during the Asahikawa Winter Festival.
Top sculptors from across Japan—from Hokkaido to Okinawa—join international competitors to create spectacular works in two divisions: 22 individual sculptures and 14 team projects. Artists carve massive ice columns weighing about 135 kg each. Individuals use eight blocks while teams use sixteen, spending nearly 40 hours transforming solid ice into intricate works of art. The roar of chainsaws and the delicate rhythm of chisels fill the air, while glittering ice fragments sparkle in the winter night.
The completed sculptures line Asahikawa Heiwa-dori Kaimono-koen (Heiwa-dori Shopping Street), stretching about 1 km from JR Asahikawa Station. At night, colorful lights illuminate the transparent ice, creating a magical winter landscape. Strolling through this open-air gallery, visitors can experience the crisp northern air, the smooth chill of the ice, and the fleeting beauty of Hokkaido’s winter artistry.
- * 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.
- Nearest airports
General Information
- Event period
- 2026/2/8-11
- Event venue
- Asahikawa Heiwa-dori Kaimono-koen
- Postal code
- 〒070-0030
- Address
- 北海道旭川市宮下通8丁目2
- Telephone Number
- 0166-22-2522（Japan Ice Sculpture Association）
- Directions
- ●On foot: About 2 minutes from JR Asahikawa Station
- Website
* Information on facilities is subject to change. Please check each official website for the latest information.
