Ice Fall Festival in Sounkyo, Hokkaido
Don’t miss the eventful Ice Fall Festival!
The Ice Fall Festival is one of Hokkaido’s 3 largest snow festivals that started in 1976. This festival is hosted on the big river bank (about 10,000㎡) of the Ishikari river.
At the festival you will see a variety of interesting ice sculptures such as an ice look out, an ice castle, ice tunnels, and an ice slide.
There is also an assortment of fun planned events such as the Asahikawa local sake tasting and the throwing away of good luck Mochi(sticky rice cakes) from the stage.
An Exciting Draw!
On certain days a draw is held in which you could win a partner company product such as, desserts from Sounkyo or vouchers for the Sounkyo hot springs hotel. Chances are good, why not try?
The dates they host the draws are: February 17th, 18th, 20th and 22th
Video of Ice Fall Festival in Sounkyo
At the entrance of the festival area, there is a photo booth. You can get a “severe cold surviver certificate”. If you want to take a fancy photo, they have rental dresses which you can rent to wear and take a princess photo!
The Hyobaku shrine is in the area and there you can see many “Kamidama” lined up around the shrine.
“Kamidama” literally means sacred snowball in Japanese. They say if you can throw a Osaisen (coin you make a wish on) and it sticks to the Kamidama, your luck in money or love will increase. Why not have a try?
There is also a “Northern ice bar” that’s open Saturdays and Sundays. There you can drink warm sake, cold sake, and hi-balls. Don’t worry if you are not a drinker, they have non-alcoholic beverages as well!
Be forewarned, it’s cold (the average temp is -10 degrees) so bundle up with a warm hat, gloves, and snow boots!
Basic information on Ice Fall Festival in Sounkyo
Ice Fall Festival in Sounkyo
- Address
- Sounkyo onsen, Sounkyo, Kamikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
- Access
- Get off at JR Kamikawa station, then get on to the Dohoku bus bound for Sounkyo from the Bus terminal in front of the JR Kamikawa station . Get off at Sounkyo bus stop and walk about 5 minutes.