If you are planning a trip to Hokkaido in February, the Ice Festival is just one of many reasons to visit.

The 2027 Sapporo Snow Festival will be held from February 4-11 and attracts more than two million visitors each year, making it Hokkaido’s best-known winter event. Around the same time, major celebrations such as the Asahikawa Winter Festival and Otaru Snow Light Path also take place, filling cities across Hokkaido with snow, ice, and seasonal illuminations.

Beyond the festivals, February is also ideal for skiing, snow play, winter hiking, and soaking in hot springs surrounded by snowy scenery. In other words, even if the Sapporo Snow Festival is the main reason for your trip, it is well worth staying a few extra days to experience several different sides of a Hokkaido winter.

While the Sapporo Snow Festival is famous for its lively atmosphere and enormous snow sculptures, the appeal of the Chitose-Shikotsu Lake Ice Festival is much closer to nature.

Instead of city buildings, the venue is surrounded by forests, mountains, and the lake itself. Visitors can walk between towering ice walls and through frozen caves, getting a close-up look at landscapes created from the waters of Lake Shikotsu. In 2026, the festival welcomed around 127,000 visitors in just 24 days, making it one of Hokkaido’s major winter events in its own right.

The venue is also located in the Lake Shikotsu Onsen area. Spending the day exploring the frozen scenery, soaking in a steaming hot spring in the evening, and staying overnight by the lake is about as Hokkaido-in-winter as it gets.

If the Sapporo Snow Festival shows off the lively and spectacular side of a Hokkaido winter, the Chitose-Shikotsu Lake Ice Festival reveals something quieter and more magical. Experiencing both on the same trip gives you a much fuller picture of what winter in Hokkaido has to offer.

Dates: January 30-February 23, 2027
Hours: 10 AM-8 PM; illuminations from 4:30-8 PM
Admission: 1,000 yen on weekdays; 3,000 yen on weekends and public holidays. Admission applies to junior high school students and older; elementary school children and younger enter free.
Official website: https://hyoutou-special.asia/

Hyoto BLUE LINER: This direct bus service was introduced to reduce the risks of driving on snowy winter roads and help ease traffic congestion. It connects New Chitose Airport and JR Chitose Station with the Lake Shikotsu Onsen festival area.

One-way fares are 2,000 yen for adults and 1,000 yen for children, and all passengers are guaranteed a seat, making it a particularly convenient option for international visitors.

The first outbound bus leaves New Chitose Airport at 9:00 AM, and the final departure is at 5:10 PM. For the return trip, the first bus leaves Lake Shikotsu at 11:30 AM, with the final departure at 8:30 PM (note that this 8:30 PM bus only goes to JR Chitose Station; the last bus returning to the airport leaves at 7:30 PM).

Advance reservations are required.
Booking website: https://www.sakkan.com/lp/hyoutou-bus/

Taxi: Lake Shikotsu is around a 40-minute taxi ride from New Chitose Airport. A one-way trip costs approximately 7,000 yen.

If Sapporo is already part of your winter itinerary and you want to add the Chitose-Shikotsu Lake Ice Festival without much extra planning, a day-trip bus tour from Sapporo is one of the easiest options.

Winter roads in Hokkaido can be snowy and icy, so driving is not always the most comfortable choice for visitors who are not used to winter conditions. A round-trip bus tour removes the hassle of checking transport schedules, making transfers, or driving on slippery roads, and some tours also include admission to the Ice Festival.

Typical itinerary: Most tours leave central Sapporo at around 2 PM, arriving in time for the illuminations from 4:30 PM. Visitors usually spend around 1.5 hours at the festival before returning to Sapporo.

Advantages and prices: There is no need to reserve festival tickets separately or deal with multiple transfers in snowy weather. Tours including round-trip transportation and festival admission generally cost around 6,000 yen. Some itineraries also include nearby attractions such as Lake Toya and the Mt. Usu Ropeway.

If you are not planning to stay overnight at Lake Shikotsu but still want to fit the Ice Festival easily into a Sapporo-based itinerary, these bus tours are especially convenient.

Lake Shikotsu experiences sub-zero winter temperatures, and the all-ice festival grounds are extremely slippery. We highly recommend windproof/waterproof outer layers, thermal underwear, touch-screen friendly gloves, a hat, and a scarf. Most importantly, wear winter boots with non-slip grips or attachable ice cleats.

Gear Tip: You can purchase attachable ice cleats ("Easy Spike") at the Montbell store in Sapporo Factory. The mall also houses a Snow Peak store for any other outdoor winter gear you might need. Be sure to check Live Japan for helpful discount coupons before you shop!

After exploring the festival in sub-zero temperatures, few things feel better than sinking into a steaming hot spring.

Lake Shikotsu Onsen is particularly known for its silky-smooth water, often described in Japan as a “beautifying hot spring” because of the soft feeling it leaves on the skin.

Guests staying at selected accommodations below can also purchase a weekday-only Premium Time Ticket for 1,500 yen. This allows hotel guests to enter the festival from 8:15-9:15 PM, after general visitors have left, for a much quieter and more atmospheric experience among the illuminated ice sculptures.

Located on the opposite side of Lake Shikotsu from the main hot spring town, Marukoma Onsen Ryokan can be reached using the hotel’s shuttle service.

Its highlight is a secluded natural open-air bath directly connected to Lake Shikotsu itself. Guests can soak in the warm water while taking in sweeping views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Located in the Lake Shikotsu Onsen area, Mizu no Uta is within easy walking distance of the festival venue.

This upscale resort focuses heavily on relaxation and wellness, with extensive spa facilities and a generous Japanese and Western-style buffet. It is a good choice for travelers looking to combine the ice festival with a more luxurious hot spring stay.

Kyukamura Shikotsuko is also located close to the hot spring town, with the festival venue accessible on foot.

Surrounded by forest and rich natural scenery, this national park resort offers a relaxed atmosphere and generally good value, making it an appealing option for travelers who want to stay close to nature without choosing a high-end luxury ryokan.

Within walking distance of the festival venue, Suizantei offers an elegant and traditional Japanese ryokan experience.

The property is particularly well suited to travelers looking for refined Japanese hospitality and carefully prepared kaiseki cuisine as part of their Lake Shikotsu stay.

Lakeside Villa Suimeikaku is within walking distance of the festival and offers an especially private lakeside experience.

Every guest room faces Lake Shikotsu, offering uninterrupted views of the water, and rooms feature private natural hot spring baths. It is an excellent option for couples or travelers looking for a quiet, secluded stay.

Both properties are within walking distance of the festival venue and represent some of the most luxurious accommodation options around Lake Shikotsu.

Part of the Tsuruga group’s premium portfolio, they place a strong emphasis on privacy, spacious accommodations, personalized service, and a high-end resort atmosphere.

Also within walking distance of the festival venue, Ame no Hi to Yuyake is a small boutique hotel with a warm, intimate atmosphere.

What sets it apart from the area’s more traditional Japanese inns is its focus on Italian cuisine, making it an interesting choice for travelers looking for something a little different while staying near Lake Shikotsu.

Whether you visit for the day or stay the night, the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is sure to be a highlight of your Hokkaido winter journey.