Lake Shikotsu’s ice festival is at its most striking when the light changes: ice formations take on a blue cast, then glow as the displays are lit. This bus trip gives you time to see the festival without arranging a winter drive or navigating the route yourself.
I like the round-trip transport from either Sapporo or Chitose, and the chance to visit around sunset, when you may catch both daylight and the start of the illumination. The included TARUMAE cream puff is a small but welcome Hokkaido treat.
One trade-off: your two hours at the festival are self-guided, and the admission fee is extra. Traffic and weather can also shift the schedule, so allow flexibility for the ride back.
At a glance
- Ice sculptures by the lake: See the festival’s sculpted ice, glowing blue formations, and illuminated displays with Lake Shikotsu as a backdrop.
- Choose your starting point: Board in Sapporo or at Chitose Station, then return to Sapporo or Chitose Station, depending on your package.
- Two hours to explore: The festival visit is self-guided, with audio guides available in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean.
- A sweet extra: A signature TARUMAE cream puff from Patissier Lab is included. Tell the operator about a cream puff allergy.
- Admission costs extra: Bring cash or a credit card to pay the festival entrance fee yourself.
- Winter footing matters: The ground may be slippery, so wear warm clothes and shoes suited to icy conditions.
👉 See our pick of the 5 Best Tours In Chitose
- At a glance
- Ice sculptures in changing winter light
- A bus ride that simplifies a winter outing
- Two hours at the festival, at your own pace
- The cream puff is a useful little bonus
- Is the fare good value?
- Choosing the right departure and preparing well
- Should you book this Lake Shikotsu bus trip?
- FAQ
- How long is the tour?
- Where can I board the bus?
- Is admission to the festival included?
- What languages are available for the audio guide?
- Is the cream puff included?
- What should I wear and bring?
- What happens if weather cancels the tour?
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Ice sculptures in changing winter light
The main reason to take this trip is the festival itself. Lake Shikotsu’s Hyoto event is known for its ice displays, and the cold gives the sculptures their striking blue appearance. When the lights come on, the shapes change again, making the late-afternoon timing especially appealing for photography.
The bus reaches the festival at about 15:30 on the Chitose departure schedule. That gives you a chance to see the displays in daylight and, depending on the date and conditions, stay as the illumination begins. One departure was described as arriving around sunset, with the lights just starting to glow while the sky still held some light. That transition can be more interesting than arriving after dark, when you see only the finished nighttime effect.
You are visiting on your own rather than joining a guided walk through the festival. That gives you freedom to linger at the displays that catch your eye, but you will need to manage your time. Two hours is a useful visit, not an open-ended one. Keep an eye on the departure time, especially if you stop for photos or refreshments.
The lake setting adds a sense of place to the ice art. The festival is not just a collection of sculptures in a hall: the surrounding winter scenery is part of the appeal. Still, the exact views and light depend on weather, and the event’s ice displays are vulnerable to warm temperatures. If conditions make it impossible to maintain the sculptures, the tour may be canceled with a full refund.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Chitose.
A bus ride that simplifies a winter outing
Driving to a winter festival can mean dealing with snow, ice, and traffic. This tour takes that responsibility off your hands. The bus carries up to 44 passengers, excluding the driver, and round-trip transfers are included from the selected meeting point.
For the Chitose option, the bus leaves from the east exit of Chitose Station, at bus stop 6, 7, or 8. The meeting instructions specify gathering across from a Seven Eleven and karaoke venue, and arriving 15 minutes early. The Sapporo option departs from the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel. Check the exact departure point and time on your voucher, since the Sapporo and Chitose packages do not share the same schedule.
A guide named Mr. Hiro has led a departure and shared information about the lake during the ride. Staff may vary, and this is not a fully guided sightseeing tour, but the ride can add context before you arrive. Japanese- and English-speaking staff are listed, and audio guides are available in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean for use at the festival.
The return schedule depends on your package. For the Chitose departure, the bus is scheduled to return from the festival from 18:15, reaching Chitose Station at about that time. The Sapporo drop-off is listed for around 19:30 at the North Exit group bus area. Road conditions can delay either arrival. In winter, a timetable is a plan, not a promise.
Two hours at the festival, at your own pace
Once you arrive, the visit is self-guided. You can walk among the ice displays, take photos, and use an audio guide if you want added explanation. The supplied information does not set out a guided route or specific exhibits beyond the sculptures, blue ice formations, and illuminated displays, so go in ready to explore rather than expecting a narrated tour.
The two-hour window is the key practical detail. It gives you time to see the main displays without making this a full-day excursion, but it calls for a little planning. If you want photographs in both daylight and after dark, keep moving at first and return to your favorite spots as the lights come on. If you prefer a slower visit, choose the displays that matter most to you and do not count on having time for every pause.
Admission is not included. You pay at the venue, where cash and credit cards are accepted. The tour information refers to the Shikotsu Lake Ice Museum admission fee, so check the venue’s current entry arrangements before you go if you want to budget closely. Other personal expenses are also yours to cover.
The festival ground may be slippery. Warm clothes are essential, and shoes with a secure grip are a sensible choice. Strollers are allowed, but some areas may be difficult to navigate with one. The bus has space for one standard-sized piece of luggage per passenger, and child seats are not available.
The cream puff is a useful little bonus
The included treat is a signature TARUMAE cream puff from Patissier Lab, associated with Mizunouta’s Lab in the tour description. It is a modest extra rather than a meal, but it gives you a taste of a local confection without having to find a shop during your short visit.
The cream puff has been singled out as a favorite part of the outing, so it is worth saving room for it. If you have a cream allergy, contact the operator before departure. The tour specifically asks guests to report an allergy to cream puffs, and you should not assume a substitute will be available.
Is the fare good value?
The advertised starting price is $35.35, while the listed package prices vary by departure. The Chitose Station option is shown from $44.15, the Sapporo departure from $46.69, and a limited-time Sapporo round trip from $49.19. Prices may vary by date and package, so compare the live fare for your chosen option rather than relying on the lowest headline figure.
The fare’s value comes mainly from the round-trip bus and the ease of reaching the festival. You also get staff support, audio guides, insurance provided by the operator, and the cream puff. The admission fee is extra, and you will pay for any other personal purchases. For someone who does not want to plan a winter drive or piece together transport, paying for the bus can be worthwhile. If you are already staying in Chitose and have your own transport, the convenience may be less valuable.
The reviews available for this experience are uniformly positive, with recurring praise for friendly, professional staff, clear explanations on the ride, good timing around sunset, and the cream puff. That is encouraging, but it does not remove the main uncertainty: traffic. One outing encountered heavy traffic heading toward the festival, while another saw a long jam in the opposite direction on the way back. Treat the schedule as approximate, especially if you have a tight connection afterward.
Choosing the right departure and preparing well
The Chitose Station departure is listed for 14:30 to 14:45, with arrival at the festival around 15:30. The Sapporo option leaves from ANA Crowne Plaza at 13:30 according to the package details. There is also a limited-time package described as departing Sapporo and returning to Sapporo. Confirm both ends of your route when booking, since the available departure and return arrangements vary.
Arrive at least 15 minutes before the stated departure. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable, and the terms also say refunds are not issued if a participant is three minutes or more late. Keep your mobile voucher handy, and bring cash even though credit cards are accepted for admission. The voucher is valid only for the date and time shown.
Children aged zero to five can ride free if they do not need their own seat. Children aged zero to 18 must be with a paying adult. The activity is not recommended for children aged zero to three, people more than nine months pregnant, people with broken bones, or those with other serious medical conditions. If you have a concern about your ability to manage the winter conditions, ask the operator before booking.
Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the activity date qualify for a full refund. If severe weather or another unforeseen event leads the operator to cancel, you can request a full refund or reschedule. If the festival itself is canceled because temperatures make it impossible to maintain the ice sculptures, the tour is canceled and a full refund is issued. Once the tour has started, no refund is available.
Should you book this Lake Shikotsu bus trip?
Book it if you want an easy way to see the ice festival without driving, and especially if you value a sunset-to-illumination visit. The round-trip bus, multilingual audio guide, and included cream puff make this a convenient outing, while the self-guided format lets you explore at your own pace.
Look elsewhere if you want a long, fully guided visit or cannot be flexible about return timing. You will have about two hours at the festival, admission costs extra, and winter traffic can affect the schedule. For a short, practical trip from Sapporo or Chitose, though, this is a sensible way to enjoy one of Hokkaido’s most memorable winter displays.
Hokkaido Sapporo/Chitose Lake Shikotsu Ice Museum Hyoto Festival Bus
“Our tour guide, Mr. Hiro, was very responsible and shared a lot of information along the way. Thank you.”
FAQ
How long is the tour?
The festival visit lasts about two hours. The full outing includes the bus ride, with a scheduled arrival at the festival around 15:30 for the Chitose departure and return drop-offs from about 18:15 onward.
Where can I board the bus?
You can choose a Sapporo departure from ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel or a Chitose departure at Chitose Station’s east exit, at bus stop 6, 7, or 8. Follow the meeting details on your voucher.
Is admission to the festival included?
No. You pay the admission fee yourself at the venue. Cash and credit cards are accepted.
What languages are available for the audio guide?
Audio guides are available in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. Japanese- and English-speaking staff are also listed.
Is the cream puff included?
Yes. The tour includes a signature TARUMAE cream puff from Patissier Lab. Tell the operator if you have an allergy to cream puffs.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear warm clothing and shoes suitable for slippery conditions. Bring cash for personal expenses and be prepared to pay the admission fee, though credit cards are also accepted at the venue.
What happens if weather cancels the tour?
If the operator cannot run the tour because of severe weather or another unforeseen event, you can reschedule or request a full refund. If the festival is canceled because warm temperatures make the ice displays impossible to maintain, the tour is canceled and a full refund is issued.
