Get to the Shikotsu ice festival in the late afternoon and stay for the lights: the sculptures look glassy blue in daylight and turn pink, green and gold after dark. Dress for the wind off the lake.
See Noboribetsu’s steaming Hell Valley, Lake Toya and a winter ice festival on a Sapporo day trip, with optional Toya snowmobiling.
Most Popular★ 4.8“Tour guide Jin Cheng took us around Hokkaido, we had a great time, and the driver was also very good.”
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126 reviews10 hoursFrom $56.85
Compare Noboribetsu Hell Valley, Lake Toya views, snowmobiling and Lake Shikotsu’s winter ice pillars on a guided day trip from Sapporo.
★ 4.9“good trip and recommend tour guide, very helpfull”
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124 reviewsFrom $56.85
Review this Sapporo winter day trip to Lake Shikotsu and Tomamu, with stop-by-stop timing, costs, guide details, and weather caveats.
★ 4.4“good trip out. a lot seen. long day but tour was good ... nothing against the tour or guide. but please when your tour guide says a time to be back, come back on time. we had less time in places due to delays of…”
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78 reviews10.5 hoursFrom $89.25
See Noboribetsu Hell Valley, Lake Toya, Showa-Shinzan and more on a long day tour from Sapporo, with seasonal fireworks and ice festival options.
★ 4.9“Lucy is such a good tour guide. She shared so much useful information about Hokkaido besides the places that we went today. Her service is excellent. Her proficiency of English is impeccable. I highly recommend her for Hokkaido day tour. I hope to bump into…”
★★★★★★★★★★
20 reviewsFrom $44.25
See Lake Shikotsu’s water-made ice sculptures glow at night on a Sapporo bus tour, with festival entry and about two hours to explore.
★ 4.5“There was a massive traffic jam on the way to the event. I feel like we should have left earlier. By the time we got in, it was already after 7:00 PM, and we had to be back on the bus for the return trip…”
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18 reviews2 hoursFrom $43.65
Highly anticipated for its breathtaking ice sculptures and serene natural beauty, the Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival 2025 is a must-visit event for winter enthusiasts. However, be prepared for the weather.
★ 4.0“When you go on this tour, stop and eat before you get on the bus, or get food right when you get to Lake Chitose. All of the places close at 6 PM. You arrive around 5:30 PM and go directly to the ice sculptures.…”
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10 reviewsFrom $58.53by Tour&Charter International
Pair Jozankei’s snowy river valley with Lake Shikotsu’s glowing ice festival on a small-group winter day trip from Sapporo.
★ 5.0“For my first trip to Hokkaido, I was worried about not being able to go to Lake Shikotsu because the bus tickets were sold out early, but I unexpectedly found this tour. It fulfilled my wish to go to Lake Shikotsu. The transportation arrangement was…”
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10 reviewsFrom $94.59
Ride from Sapporo or Chitose to Lake Shikotsu’s ice festival for glowing ice displays, a self-guided visit, and a complimentary cream puff.
★ 5.0“Our tour at Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival was truly magical and worth every minute! From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed with free sweet treats, which was such a thoughtful and cozy touch. The ice museum itself was breathtaking. The intricate ice sculptures,…”
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6 reviews2 hoursFrom $35.35
Discover the beauty of Hokkaido with this 5.5-hour Sapporo tour to Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival and Illumination, featuring expert guides and stunning snow scenery.
★ 4.73 reviews5.5 hoursFrom $54by H.I.S. Co Ltd(TIC)
Discover the serene beauty of Hokkaido with this small-group tour to Lake Shikotsu’s ice festival and Jozankei hot springs, perfect for relaxation lovers.
★ 5.03 reviews9.5 hoursFrom $111by MIRAI