Shikaribetsu Lake Kotan, Shikaoi

Shikaribetsu Lake Kotan is a temporary winter village built entirely on the frozen surface of Lake Shikaribetsu that appears only from late January to late March each year. The term "kotan" means "village" in the indigenous Ainu language, and this mystical settlement exists for just 60 days during the coldest part of the year before completely melting away as spring arrives.

Lake Shikaribetsu sits at an altitude of 810 meters, making it the highest lake in Hokkaido. The lake was formed by volcanic activity that created lava domes damming local rivers within the Tokachi Shikaoi Geopark. Located within Daisetsu National Park, Hokkaido's largest national park, the pristine mountain setting provides the extreme cold necessary for the lake's complete winter freeze.

The village features structures constructed entirely from snow and ice blocks harvested from the lake itself. Visitors can experience unique attractions including an open-air onsen bath directly on the frozen lake surface, ice igloos housing a bar serving drinks in ice-made glasses, a concert hall with live performances, an ice chapel, and overnight ice lodges. The ice lodge accommodation can house up to 4 people per igloo, offering an extraordinary overnight experience. The complete darkness surrounding the lake at night creates perfect conditions for stargazing and witnessing rare winter phenomena such as stardust.

Entry to the Kotan requires a season pass costing ¥500 for elementary school students and above. By car, the site is accessible via a 3.5-hour drive from Sapporo or 2.5 hours from New Chitose Airport. Public transport options include buses from JR Obihiro Station to Shikaribetsu Lakeside, taking approximately 100 minutes, or driving about 60 minutes from Doto Expressway Tokachi Shimizu IC. Winter road closures affect the route between Nukabira and Lake Shikaribetsu, so visitors should verify current road conditions. All rental cars are equipped with winter tires, though driving conditions remain challenging on icy mountain roads.