Shimokawa Ice Candle Museum
Discover the birthplace of Japan’s ice candles
A winter townscape lit by handmade ice candles.
Shimokawa hosts the Ice Candle Museum each February. Known as Japan’s birthplace of ice candles, local residents display handmade candles outside homes and shops. Their amber light spreads beyond event venues, brightening snowy streets.
The tradition began in 1986, when members of a youth group Columbus no Tamago made ice candles, inspired by a kindergarten activity in Helsinki, Finland. They debuted at the Shimokawa Winter Festival. In 1988, the event became the Shimokawa Ice Candle Festival. In 2003, it took its current name, based on the idea of turning the entire town into a museum.
The candles are made by leaving water in buckets outdoors on nights below -16°C. Ice forms around the outside; pouring out the remaining water leaves a hollow space for a candle. Displays appear at Nigiwai Hiroba, Shimokawa Bus Terminal, the Comorebi Community Center and the National Route Shopping Street. Walk between the venues to enjoy the handmade lights.
- * 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
- 2027/2/13 17:00-20:00
2027/2/14 11:00-20:00 - Event venue
- Nigiwai Plaza (6 Kyoei-machi), Komorebi Town Revitalization Center (1-1 Kyoei-machi), Shimokawa Town Bus Terminal
- Postal code
- 〒098-1203
- Address
- 北海道上川郡下川町
- Telephone Number
- 01655-4-2718（Shimokawa Tourist Association）
- Car Park
- 300 spaces, free
- Directions
- ●By car: About 30 minutes from JR Nayoro Station
●By car: About 50 minutes from Hokkaido Expwy Shibetsu-Kenbuchi IC - Website
* Information on facilities is subject to change. Please check each official website for the latest information.
