Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival 2018 -Hokkaido Sounkyo Tourism Association

Closed for the Season
See You Again in 2019!

Northern Ice Bar: A big hit every year!
The Northern Ice Bar is only available on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.
Try the limited-edition “Kamikawa-Taisetsu Brewery” sake, “Kamikawa,” and the ever-popular “Takasago.” There’s hot rice coca for kids, too—only available here.
Bottoms up!

Shop / Rest Area: Take a break and warm up with amazake (sweet rice beverage), coffee, or warm milk.
We recommend the fresh, homemade amazake, made with local sake lees.
You can also enjoy other delicious local treats such as frankfurters, pudding, and more.

Extreme Cold Certificate: Up your street cred with our Extreme Cold Certificates,
available at the photo area near the festival entrance.
Ladies have the option of renting optional dresses to transform into a powerful ice princess.
Absolutely unforgettable.

Ice Shrine: The Ice Shrine houses a holy sphere made of ice.
It is said that those who press an offering onto the sphere will gain fortune in love, money, school grades, and other benefits.
The sphere adorned with offerings resembles a work of art.
There is also a separate shrine for travel safety.
Please visit them both!

Stage: Our stage is filled with many events during the festival.
Come and enjoy taiko drum performances, traditional Ainu dances, as well as raffles,
mochi catching, and the notorious Ice Weddings!

Raffles: Raffles featuring snacks from Sounkyo, or prizes from our cosponsors.
Raffle tickets are given away 10 minutes before start time.
It’s very easy to win, so come early and get your ticket before they run out!; Schedule: January 28, 29, 30; February 22

Lucky Mochi Throwing: These red and white Kamikawa mochi are tossed into the crowd after the end of the fireworks displays.
It’s hard to catch the mochi as they are falling,
so anyone who catches them invites luck of all sizes.
A good tip for increasing your chances, is to keep your eyes on the ground.; Schedule: January 27; February 1-17; February 24-March 4; March 9; March 11

Free Soup: The same hot soup you can get on airline flights, free for you to enjoy.
There is nothing better than warming your body and mind with hot soup in the below-freezing outdoors.; Schedule: February 1-20; March 9-11; March 14; March 17

Main Ice Sculpture: The main ice sculpture is modeled after famous Hokkaido buildings,
and you can explore tunnels on the inside.
Look up, and see icicles like chandeliers.
Enjoy feeling like you’ve been transported to a world of perpetual winter!

Ice Climbing: Climb a real ice wall using icepicks and other specialized equipment.
No worrying about getting lost,
or whether you are prepared or not—we take care of everything.
Great for beginners!
We will explain the basics, so don’t be shy!
Unleash your inner ice climber.

Open Dates: Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays during the festival period
Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Fee: ¥3,500/person
(equipment rentals included)

Ice Slide: Rent one of our inner tubes and slide down the massive ice slide!
Super popular for all ages.

Open Dates: Every day during festival period
(cancellations may occur due to weather conditions)
Times: 10:00 am – 9:30 pm
Fee: ¥500 per 15 minutes

By Car

25 km (30 minutes) away from the Asahikawa-Monbetsu Expressway, Kamikawa-Sounkyo IC exit, using Route 39.
Use our free parking lot!

Asahikawa-Monbetsu Expressway,
Kamikawa-Sounkyo IC
Route 39
Festival

Parking Lot 000 spaces Fee: Free

By Train

Transfer to the Dohoku Bus stop at Kamikawa Forest Terrace, outside of JR Kamikawa Station.
The festival is a 5-minute walk from Sounkyo Onsen bus stop.

JR Kamikawa Station:
Kamikawa Forest Terrace Bus Stop
Sounkyo Onsen
Festival

＞Bus Times Here (PDF)

078-1701: Sounkyo Onsen, Kamikawa

See it on Google Maps

Taisetsu Forest Garden Snow Activities: Choose three of four fun activities! 15 minutes x 3 activities!
You can even choose the same activity three times in a row!
Get your fill of winter.

Course List:
1. Snow Cat Cruise (Snowmobile ride)
2. Snow Rafting
3. Snow Tube Slider
4. Snowshoe Walk
Operating Period:
December 23, 2017 – March 25, 2018
Closed on Mondays (If Monday is a public holiday, then closed Tuesday)
Operating Times:
11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:00 pm
*course times include preparation and transit times.
Fees:
Adults: \3,800 Children \2,800

PDF 　 PDF Details　>>

Reservations and/or Information:
Taisetsu Forest Garden
Phone: 01658-2-4655
Address: 841-8 Kikusui, Kamikawa
Website: http://www.daisetsu-asahigaoka.jp

Kita no Mori Garden Winter Events: 1. Banana Boat Rides
1. Banana Boat Rides Get pulled by a snowmobile in a banana boat across the snow plains.
The thrill and tricky movement combined with the speed and low angle is sure to please.

2. Bear Ranch & Giant Slide
Board the sled and be pulled by a tractor to the Bear Ranch where you can feed the bears,
and then off to the inner-tube slide for more fun.

Operating Period:
January 21 – March 12 (may change based on snow level)
Times:
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Fees:
1. ¥1,000/person (no reservations necessary)
2. Sled ride: ¥1,000 Snowtube: ¥300

Reservations/Information:
Kita no Mori Garden
Phone: 01658-2-2133
Address: 40 Sakae Machi, Kamikawa
Website: http://kitanomori.taisetsu-g.com/

Ice Pavilion: Located in the Kamikawa basin, overlooking the Taisetsuzan Mountain Range.
From the spring to the fall, the lush vegetation will heal you during your weary travels.
In winter, you can experience a brilliant silver snowscape, and try unique experiences.

Operating Period:
All year long (except during maintenance or poor weather)
Times:
8:30 am – 5:30 pm (final admission 5:00 pm)
Fees:
Pavilion & Winter Events
Adults (junior high & up) ¥1,080
Children (elementary) ¥650
Toddlers ¥200
*Special group rates. Inquire for details.
Other:
Popular snow huts, snowmen and slides!
*January to March (depending on snow cover)
Available for a fee, or free for Ice Pavilion customers.
Facility Info Guides: available from staff upon entry
Barrier-free access: Main hall.
Accessible washroom available.

Reservations and Information:
Hokkaido Ice Pavilion
Phone: 01658-2-2233
Address: 40 Sakae Machi, Kamikawa
Website: http://icepavilion.com/

Kurodake Kamui Forest Snowshoe Hiking: The forests of Taisetsu-Kurodake: only accessible with deep snow cover.
Discover traces of kamui (animals) and impressive snow formations,
and a guidebook featuring this brilliant silver snowscape.

Operating Period:
January 25 – April 1, 2018
Meeting Times:
9:15 am and 12:45 pm
Kurodake Ropeway Station
Journey Time:
Approximately 3 hours per course.
(1 hour, 30 minutes walking time)
Fee:
¥4,500
*Includes ropeway ticket, winter gear, and equipment

Reservations & Information:
Rinyu Sightseeing
Phone: 01658-9-4525
Address: Sounkyo Onsen, Kamikawa
Website: http://www.rinyu.co.jp/