What other travelers are saying about Shikaribetsu Lake Kotan, Shikaoi
Fantastic place to visit. It’s very cold with the strong wind. Amazing igloo houses. The day i visited was -8 Celsius. The thickness of the ice is 90 cm.deep.
Shikaribetsu Lake Kotan is a temporary ice village built on frozen Shikaribetsu Lake in Hokkaido, Japan. This unique winter attraction operates from late January to mid-March when the lake is completely frozen. The ice village features ice bars, ice hotels, outdoor hot spring baths, and various winter activities, making it one of Japan's most extraordinary seasonal destinations.
To reach Shikaribetsu Lake Kotan from Sapporo, take a JR train to Obihiro Station (about 2.5 hours), then use the Tokachi Bus to Shikaribetsu Lake (approximately 1.5 hours). Total travel time is around 4-5 hours. During winter season, some hotels offer shuttle bus services. Renting a car provides more flexibility but requires winter driving experience due to snowy mountain roads in Daisetsuzan National Park.
Shikaribetsu Lake Kotan offers unique ice activities including staying in ice hotels with sleeping bags, drinking at the famous ice bar serving cocktails in ice glasses, relaxing in outdoor hot spring baths (rotenburo) on the frozen lake, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The ice village also features ice sculptures, igloos, and stunning views of the surrounding Daisetsuzan mountains under the northern lights.
For Shikaribetsu Lake Kotan, pack extreme cold weather gear including insulated winter boots, thermal underwear, multiple warm layers, waterproof outer shell, warm hat covering ears, insulated gloves, neck warmer, and hand/foot warmers. Temperatures can drop to -20°C (-4°F) or lower. If staying in ice hotels, bring a warm sleeping bag rated for sub-zero temperatures. Sunglasses are essential due to snow glare.
Accommodation options near Shikaribetsu Lake Kotan include the unique ice hotel experience directly on the frozen lake (available only during kotan season), Shikaribetsu Lake Hotel with hot spring facilities, mountain lodges in the area, and hotels in nearby Obihiro city. The ice hotel offers an unforgettable experience sleeping on ice beds with provided sleeping bags, while traditional accommodations provide heated rooms and onsen hot springs for a more comfortable stay.
Only very small with a few igloos and an ice bar. The ice skidoo was so much fun though. Bring a buff for the skidoo as the wind on your face is cold. We had a great time riding around in the frozen lake
As I visited with a very unlucky friend, the day we arrived was an abnormally warm day (above 0), so only the ice bar was open. One of the igloos melted and collapsed. However, it’s still a really beautiful lake, the highest in Hokkaido. I will definitely revisit this place again.
An interesting place to stop by if you’re driving and want to take a walk and rest from the road. The entrance ticket was paid. If you want to buy a drink, it’s better to have cash with you. I tried to pay by card, but the payment system didn’t load, so I had to pay in cash.
In the photo, you can see a seaberry soda. There is a free foot bath available to everyone, and there are also onsens for men and women. Be sure to bring a towel with you, or you can buy one there. There are also a few igloos standing around.
It might be even more beautiful in the evening when the lanterns light up, but it was interesting during the day as well. Overall, it’s a nice place to stop by along the way and add some variety to your trip.
Enjoy the frost of Lake Shikaribetsu - the famous ice village in Hokkaido
Coming to the ice village on Lake Shikaribetsu, visitors will have the opportunity to admire and stay in ice "hotels". Have fun and relax in theaters and giant ice skating rinks. Surely with these different things will give you great experiences during your trip to Hokkaido.
Lake Shikaribetsu is about 14km in circumference and is located in the Daisetsuzan National Park area, in Tokachi District, Eastern Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. Nestled deep in the Daisetsuzan Mountains, Lake Shikaribetsu has the highest elevation in the area (more than 800m); is one of the lakes with the clearest water surface in Japan's rivers and lakes; and is the lake with the longest freezing time in Japan.
Lake Shikaribetsu is located quite far from the main center of Hokkaido Prefecture. From Sapporo City's Chitose Airport, it takes about 2.5 hours to travel to Shikaribetsu (about 169 km).
What to do at Lake Shikaribetsu . Ice Village
1. Stroll to see the ice village
2.Visit the Ice Chapel and enjoy a drink at the Ice Bar.
3.Overnight in ice house, igloo
4.Sleigh ride
5. Take a hot outdoor shower and soak your feet in ice!
