2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido in Sapporo, Japan
Sapporo, Japan

2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido

Outty Ranking 50 3.9 · 14 traveler reviews5.5 hoursFrom ¥9,600
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Outty Ranking

50/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.9/5

Based on 14 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is 2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido worth booking?

2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido is a 5.5-hour experience in Sapporo, Japan, from ¥9,600 per person. It scores 50 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.9/5 rating across 14 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
50 / 100
Rating
3.9/5 (14)
Duration
5.5 hours
From
¥9,600 per person

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Hokkaido's winter on an unforgettable evening tour to the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival! Discover a spectacular world of ice and light, where towering ice sculptures made from the pristine waters of Lake Shikotsu come alive with dazzling colorful illuminations. As night falls, the entire festival transforms into a magical frozen paradise, offering incredible photo opportunities and a truly unique winter experience. Spend approximately two hours exploring the illuminated ice sculptures at your own pace, soaking in the enchanting atmosphere. Festival admission is already included in the tour price, so you can simply relax and enjoy the experience. Departing conveniently from Sapporo with comfortable round-trip bus transportation, this magical evening adventure is the perfect way to create unforgettable memories of Hokkaido's winter wonderland!

What you get

  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Ice Festival admission fee

About this experience

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Hokkaido's winter on an unforgettable evening tour to the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival! Discover a spectacular world of ice and light, where towering ice sculptures made from the pristine waters of Lake Shikotsu come alive with dazzling colorful illuminations. As night falls, the entire festival transforms into a magical frozen paradise, offering incredible photo opportunities and a truly unique winter experience. Spend approximately two hours exploring the illuminated ice sculptures at your own pace, soaking in the enchanting atmosphere. Festival admission is already included in the tour price, so you can simply relax and enjoy the experience. Departing conveniently from Sapporo with comfortable round-trip bus transportation, this magical evening adventure is the perfect way to create unforgettable memories of Hokkaido's winter wonderland!

What's included

Included

  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Ice Festival admission fee

What you'll see and do

  1. Chitose Shikotsu Lake Hyoto Matsuri

    Step into a dazzling world of ice and light at the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, a must-see winter attraction in Hokkaido! Discover spectacular ice sculptures crafted from the pristine waters of Lake Shikotsu, glowing beautifully under colorful illuminations. Wander among towering frozen formations and sparkling ice displays that create a dreamlike atmosphere. Every corner offers a picture-perfect moment, making this enchanting festival an unforgettable highlight of your winter adventure in Japan!

    120 minutes here · Admission included

Where it starts and ends

Meeting point

Sapporo

Meet in the hotel lobby on the first floor. A staff member will call your name. (Please note that this meeting place is also used by other tours.)

Meeting point

Sapporo

Meet in the hotel lobby on the first floor. A staff member will call your name. (Please note that this meeting place is also used by other tours.)

Hotel pickup

No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

Ends at

Returns to the starting point

Ends at

Returns to the starting point

Ends at

Returns to the starting point

Options you can book

  • ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo

    Gather at 14:50 Starting point: ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo by IHG, Kita 3-Jo, 1丁目-2-9 Nishi, 中央区 札幌市 北海道 060-0003, Japan

  • Sapporo view hotel odori park

    Gather at 15:10 Starting point: Sapporo View Hotel Odori Park, 8 Chome Odorinishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0042, Japan

Before you book

Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Every day
Group size
Up to 15 travelers per booking
Operated by
Tour&Charter International

Know before you go

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour does not include sightseeing guides and will be conducted in Japanese.
  • Buses may be delayed due to traffic congestion and adverse weather, so please allow ample time for transfer to other means of transportation.
  • Infants aged 2 and under are free if they do not require a bus seat (please note in the comments section when booking that a child aged 2 and under will be traveling with you to confirm this). If a bus seat is required, a child fare will be charged.
  • Tour times are subject to change depending on road conditions, etc.
  • Please note that there may be some delays in arrival due to road conditions. In addition, in the event of bad weather, the tour may be forced to be canceled on the day.
  • If you are not present by the departure time, we will not wait for you and will not provide refunds.
  • Return time is around 21:30
  • There will be no sightseeing explanations during the tour. If you require English assistance during the tour, we will use simple language or an interpreter.
  • If you are visiting Sapporo, Hokkaido, please do not book this activity for the final day of your trip. (Please note that no compensation will be provided in the event of a bus delay.)

Photos

2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido in Sapporo, photo 22027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido in Sapporo, photo 32027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido in Sapporo, photo 42027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido in Sapporo, photo 52027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido in Sapporo, photo 62027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido in Sapporo, photo 7

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 14 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

The guide

5 mentions

Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

Food and drink

2 mentions

The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

Traveler reviews

14 verified traveler reviews for 2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

5 star
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shanda t · February 2026

Ice Festival at Lake shikotsu

This tour was awesome experience that our family never experience before, the to the lake was a bit spooky only because it was dark driving up to the mountains. The tour guide and drivers did the best that they could for us to explain what the plans were by showing us signs in English to read. It would have been better if the guides to speak or understand English. We managed to communicate. I totally would recommend this tour.

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review. We’re delighted to hear that your family had such a memorable experience and that you would recommend the tour. We understand that the night drive to the lake may have felt a little spooky, especially in the mountains, and we truly appreciate your trust in our drivers. We also value your feedback regarding English communication. We will continue working to improve our language support for international guests. Thank you again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you and your family back in the future!

via Tripadvisor

Alejandro_E · February 2026

Winter Festival 2026

there was a car accident near event and traffic was long getting in. its cold. really cold so be prepared. beautiful ice art and lighting. not getting dropped off where we got on was frustrating.

Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We’re sorry to hear about the traffic delay and the frustration with the drop-off location, especially in such cold weather. At the same time, we’re glad you were able to enjoy the beautiful ice art and lighting at the event. Your feedback is very valuable, and we will use it to improve the experience for future guests.

via Viator

Adm5255 · February 2026

Beautiful Ice Sculptures

The ice festival was beautiful. Our bus driver drove very safe in the ice and snow. Our tour guide made sure we knew what to expect.

Response from the operator: Thank you for your kind review. We’re very happy to hear that you found the ice festival beautiful and that you felt safe during the journey in the winter conditions. It’s also wonderful to know our tour guide helped you feel well prepared and comfortable throughout the experience. We truly appreciate your visit and hope to welcome you again in the future.

via Tripadvisor

Y7952FYdavidm · February 2026

Not really worth the money charged

Very little english speaking basically a bus ride there and back ice was good tho and this 100 character thing is ridiculous

Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the ice experience, though we’re sorry that the level of English support and overall tour did not fully meet your expectations. Your comments are very valuable, and we will use them to improve our service for future guests. We appreciate your visit and hope to provide a better experience next time.

via Tripadvisor

Martha_T · February 2026

Not a tour, a marked up bus and entry ticket.

The ice festival was unique and you should go and see it. But this "tour" is not a tour. It should be called bus transportation and ticket to the festival because there is no guide to guide us. The person who collected us at the meeting point and the driver cannot speak english at all. This is pretty much a marked up bus ticket and entry ticket. You can just buy bus ticket to Shikotsu and buy entry ticket at the festival for only 1000 yen.

Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your review. We are delighted to hear that you found the Ice Festival to be a unique and worthwhile experience. At the same time, we sincerely apologize for any aspects of the tour that did not meet your expectations, particularly regarding the tour format and language support. This plan is designed as a simple transportation-and-admission package that allows guests to explore the festival freely without a guide. However, we take your feedback seriously and will work to provide clearer information and improved support, including language assistance, moving forward. We would also like to clarify that if you add the reserved-seat bus fare from Sapporo Station to Lake Shikotsu and the admission fee, it would be impossible to make it as low as 1,000 yen. Our pricing is carefully set to balance convenience and value, and we truly appreciate your understanding. Thank you again for your valuable feedback. We will continue striving to create enjoyable and comfortable experiences for all our guests.

via Viator

Good to know

Duration
5.5 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
All ages
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Every day
Price range
¥9,600 to ¥12,100
Hotel pickup
No pickup, meet at start point
Booked in 30 days
5
Verdict
Worth a Look

Who runs this experience

Operated by Tour&Charter International, who run 26 experiences we rank across 6 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.6.

See everything Tour&Charter International runs

Why this scores 50

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)54
Review evidence (18% weight)51
Booking momentum (14% weight)42
Value for money (12% weight)0
Listing quality (10% weight)95
Local standing (8% weight)10
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sapporo.

How much does 2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido cost?

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Prices start at ¥9,600 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Sapporo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

How long does 2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido take?

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Plan for about 5.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Sapporo is not rushed.

Is 2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 50 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.9/5 across 14 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Sapporo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

Can I cancel or reschedule 2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido?

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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

Is 2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido suitable for kids and families?

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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

How far in advance should I book 2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido?

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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Sapporo can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

What should I bring or wear?

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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Sapporo and add a light layer if any part of the 5.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does 2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido start and how do I get there?

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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Sapporo within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

What are the best things to do in Sapporo?

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On Outty we rank every Sapporo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour, Wagashi traditional japanese sweets class, Mondo's most popular No.1!Private experienceThe king of buckwheat noodles making and Japanese food in Sapporo!A plan to enjoy tempura!. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

When is the best time to visit Sapporo?

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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

How many days do you need in Sapporo?

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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

What is included in 2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido?

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Included: In-vehicle air conditioning; and Ice Festival admission fee. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

Where is the meeting point for 2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido?

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Meet in the hotel lobby on the first floor. A staff member will call your name. (Please note that this meeting place is also used by other tours.) Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for 2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido?

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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

Is 2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Infants aged 2 and under are free if they do not require a bus seat (please note in the co. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

What happens to 2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido if the weather is bad?

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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

What do travelers say about 2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido?

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Across 14 reviews averaging 3.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

What booking options are available for 2027 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido?

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There are 2 options to choose from, including ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo, Sapporo view hotel odori park. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

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