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Illuminated ice sculptures at the Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival
Kamikawa Town, Hokkaido
Sounkyo is a town in northern Hokkaido with a frigid winter. During the Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival, about 30 ice sculptures of various sizes line up on the banks of the Ishikari River, illuminated in the colors of the rainbow. The theme of the ice sculptures varies every year, with each sculpture made in the three months from early November to January. With ice sculptures 13 meters high, this event also offers attractions such as the famous ice tunnel, an icefall shrine, and an observatory that overlooks the venue every year. Fireworks will also be launched during the festival from behind the venue, creating beautiful sparks in the winter night sky. Sounkyo also has a large hot spring village, Sounkyo Onsen. You can stay at one of many accommodations at the hot springs, enjoy the icefall festival, and try local Hokkaido delicacies.
How to get there
Take the express train from Sapporo to Asahikawa Station (about 1 hour 30 minutes). From there, take the bus to Sounkyo Onsen (about 2 hours). Finally, walk to the event space (about 5 minutes).
Sounkyo, Kamikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
