Finding Winter Fun in Japan’s Far North
Experiencing Hokkaido’s Snow and Ice Festivals
A Photo Essay
By John Penisten
Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island has long been noted as a winter activities playground. With abundant snow and cold conditions, Hokkaido offers a variety of outdoor winter activities ranging from the mild and moderate to the adventurous.
And perhaps among the most unique are the annual colorful and artistic snow and ice festivals held across several of the island’s communities during the January through February period.
From Sapporo’s famous Snow Festival, to Sounkyo Hot Springs Ice Fall Festival at Sounkyo National Park, to Lake Shikotsu’s Ice Festival, adventurous visitors have no trouble finding color, magical excitement and frozen fun in a different winter wonderland.
The sponsoring community groups work in the fall to prepare the framework structures that support the many snow and ice sculptures that are erected. Tons of snow and ice are used to create the many varied ice carvings, pillars and displays.
The ice falls and pillars are created by spraying water until it freezes into artistic shapes and forms. The resulting frozen structures are then illuminated to reveal dazzling and colorful nighttime displays.
Visitors can enjoy strolling through the visual delights of the illuminated displays. And after getting chilled in the frozen Hokkaido air, it is a welcome pleasure to enjoy sampling the local cuisine and warming beverages from the festival food vendors. It all makes for an adventurous and fun winter experience in Japan’s far north. Just be sure to bring your winter outdoor gear.
Check the following websites for details.
Japan National Tourism Orgazination: https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/hokkaido/hokkaido
Sapporo Snow Festival: https://www.snowfes.com
Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival: https://en.japantravel.com/hokkaido/lake-shikotsu-ice-festival/66203
Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival: https://sounkyo.net/event/detail.html?content=20
And also: https://sounkyo.net/hyoubaku
Other Japan stories:
Wandering Around: Takayama, Japan | by John Penisten | May, 2024 | Hawai’i TraveLog| Medium
Kyoto, Japan: On the Trail of Temples | by John Penisten | Hawai’i TraveLog | June, 2023| Medium
Sumo : Japan’s Revered Ancient Sport | by John Penisten | BATW Travel Stories | Jan, 2023| Medium
About the Writer
John Penisten is a photojournalist and longtime resident of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawai’i. He has authored the guidebooks Hawai’i the Big Island, Kaua’i the Garden Island, Adventure Guide to Hawai’i, and Experience the Big Island: The Road to Adventure. His personal adventure book Green Hills and Blue Lagoons: A Peace Corps Memoir covers his travels and experiences as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in the Fiji Islands, South Pacific. His travel stories and photos have appeared in a variety of print and online publications.
