A Winter Wonderland Journey Through Hokkaido’s Ice, Seafood & Snow Festivals

Begin at the airport where the winter Hokkaido route starts.

Visit the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, presented as a signature Hokkaido winter event.

Photograph the blue ice sculptures made from frozen Lake Shikotsu water, known for their natural Shikotsuko Blue color.

Return to the ice installations as sunlight reaches them; the changing light creates a distinctly different view from the shaded blue ice.

Stop for kokanee salmon from Lake Shikotsu, a freshwater salmonid with a clean flavor and no strong fishy smell.

Take in the blue-and-white contrast of the snowy landscape and visible ocean as the route heads onward toward Otaru.

Start with Otaru Station and its nostalgic atmosphere; the station building is a nationally registered tangible cultural property.

Browse Otaru’s large music-box specialty shop, filled with many different designs and gentle mechanical sounds.

Explore the long-established glassware shop, where colorful handmade glass products fill the historic interior.

Check into OMO5 Otaru, a centrally located base in a renovated historic building with a distinctly Otaru-style interior and well-stocked amenities.

Walk the Otaru Canal at night while snow is falling; the canal-side scenery is especially romantic and atmospheric after dark.

Finish the evening at the Otaru Oil Lamp Night Lounge, where oil lamps and an antique music box create a quiet pause after the snowy walk.

Join the Otaru morning-market breakfast tour; the reserved seat is useful during the busy seafood service.

Look for the large crabs displayed at the market before choosing breakfast.

Order the market’s seafood rice bowl topped with recommended seasonal seafood and butter-grilled scallop.

Arrive in Susukino, Sapporo’s bustling downtown district, as the evening base for ramen and festival sightseeing.

Queue for Sapporo miso ramen in Susukino; the rich, flavorful soup is served with noodles that hold the broth well.

Explore the Sapporo Snow Festival around Odori Park, including the large snow sculptures and projection mapping.