You may already know this, but... winter is actually the most enjoyable time to visit Hokkaido.
Large-scale events that take advantage of the cold weather are in full swing throughout Hokkaido! These unique events, which make the most of the cold, are full of ingenious ideas and creativity.

So, this time, I'd like to introduce you to the Akan Lake Ice Festival ICE・Aisu・Akan "Fuyuhanabi" (Winter Fireworks), a major winter event at Lake Akan that I highly recommend you experience at least once.

We'll introduce all the must-see spots and activities to enjoy the spectacular nights of Akan, ensuring you have a fantastic experience! Be sure to check it out!

<Contents>
1. The Charm of the Akan Lake Ice Festival ICE・Ai・Akan "Winter Beauty"
2. A thorough analysis of the event! We were completely satisfied with the packed and exciting content!
3. Kids and adults alike will have a blast! Activities where you can have a blast!
4. Transportation Access
5. Conclusion

The Lake Akan Ice Festival, "ICE Love Akan 'Winter Flowers'," is a popular event with many repeat visitors. In 2019, it will run for an extended period from February 1st (Friday) to March 3rd (Sunday), 2019.

The event venue is none other than Lake Akan itself! Covered in ice, this festival on the ice, only possible in the depths of winter, is packed with activities that allow you to fully enjoy the winter world! It's sure to captivate everyone with its breathtaking spectacle, unmatched among Hokkaido's winter events!

With Lake Akan completely frozen over, and the Ainu people deeply connected to the region, numerous grand events unfold.

In the dead of winter, it is truly "extremely cold." However, the festival, named with the meaning of "loving" the cold by the residents and the Ainu people, is filled with warm feelings.

To bring that sentiment to life, the venue, decorated by the staff themselves, is filled with things that, despite the cold, warm the heart.

As expected from a long-running show, every day is packed with great content. First of all, I would like you to pay attention to the owl, the guardian deity of the Ainu people.

The owl, which appears on the ice of Lake Akan, gathered from snow and ice, will watch over the event without melting throughout its duration. When viewed up close, it is a magnificent work of art that is hard to believe is made of snow.

In front of you lies the main stage, where various experiences, shows that express Ainu culture through sound and light, and events such as the story of the birth of Akan are scheduled to be held.

Akan is also famous as a town of Ainu Kotan, an Ainu community that continues to preserve its traditions and thrive even today. One of its charms is how it skillfully intertwines Lake Akan, a major tourist destination in eastern Hokkaido, with Ainu culture.

With its fiery ceremony and appearance by the fire god, this festival is unlike any other and definitely worth seeing! Don't miss the powerful stage performances.

And above all, interacting with the staff, the unsung heroes who work hard to ensure our guests have the best possible experience, is also an important part of the event. We encourage you to deepen your connections with the people who work at Akan! It will surely become a cherished memory.

2-1. Mini Ceremony: "Fire Ritual"

If you're going to attend, I highly recommend checking out the mini-ceremony that starts at 19:50 PM.

The Ainu fire god appears, and a so-called "fire ceremony" is performed.

The fire ceremony plays a very important role in Ainu culture as it signifies the welcoming of the fire god.

It is said that gods reside in things related to the earth, such as plants, water, and fire, and that people are grateful to the fire god for allowing things to grow without freezing in the extreme cold, for cooking food, and for providing light.

The festival, a major winter event at Lake Akan, also features fire as its symbol. After the ceremony in the center of the venue, the Lake Akan Ice Festival officially begins.

Come and experience the "fire ritual," something you don't often get to see, up close!

The "Akan Lake Birth Story" performance, held on the main stage, is also a huge hit every year.

This pageant, woven with sound and light, expresses the history of Lake Akan, making it easy for anyone to understand. The collaboration of the stage lights and the immersive sound is magnificent, so don't miss it!

2-2. Be amazed by the fireworks that light up the winter night sky!

The climax of the event is the launch of "Fuyu Hanabi" (Winter Fireworks), which will brightly illuminate the dark night sky. As the name suggests, beautiful fireworks like flowers blooming in winter will be launched, with approximately 330 fireworks continuing to soar through the air.

It's scheduled to start at 20:10 PM and will be held every day, making it easy to plan your schedule!

Sometimes the fireworks are launched amidst a flurry of falling snow, so those who are lucky enough to witness this beautiful spectacle may have a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

You won't be able to see summer fireworks this close! They'll be launched from such a close position, so be sure to experience the spectacle! *May be canceled due to bad weather.

2-3. Be sure to participate in the ice cutting experience and mini-games on the ice.

One interactive event allows participants to cut into the thick, frozen ice of Lake Akan, experiencing the thrill of natural ice cutting. This not only demonstrates the ice's incredible thickness but also provides a sense of security upon standing on it.

And there are plenty of activities for adults to enjoy, like building snowmen and playing mini-games, so even adults can rediscover their inner child! On this day, let's all have a blast, regardless of age or gender.

And something you'll definitely want as a souvenir is the "Cold Experience Certificate." You'll receive a certificate that records the temperature (below freezing) of that day, making it a valuable record that you can look at every time you get home and remember "how cold it really was." Why not take it home and keep it as a memento?

3-1. Race across the ice on a snowmobile and banana boat!

Our extremely popular snowmobile rides come with a lead vehicle, so you can ride with peace of mind! You can choose between a 2000m and a 4000m ride.

Small children are welcome as long as an adult rides with them! Riding a snowmobile on the ice, something you could only experience at a ski resort, is a unique experience only available at Lake Akan. Enjoy the exhilarating ride!

<Snowmobile fees>
■2000m: 1,500 yen
■4000m: 2,000 yen
*A lead vehicle will be provided.

Enjoy a comfortable cruise on a banana boat!
Banana boats are usually enjoyed on the sea, but this time, they've come up with the brilliant idea of ​​sliding on ice! I think it might even be more thrilling on ice.

It slides more smoothly from side to side than a sled, making it incredibly comfortable and thrilling! You'll definitely want to try it at least once!

<Banana boat price>
■One lap: Adults 500 yen, Children 300 yen

3-2. Enter the world of ice on a natural ice rink.

Lake Akan is covered in thick ice that seems impossible to break, creating a natural ice rink on the lake that can only be experienced at this time of year! When the ice melts and Lake Akan returns to its normal state, you'll feel a warm, fuzzy feeling as you remember skating there.
Skate boots and other equipment are available for rent, so please dress warmly when you go out!

3-3. Smelt fishing season has opened! Enjoy!

Smelt fishing at Lake Akan, which opens on January 1st, can be enjoyed throughout the event period. Smelt fishing, considered the most popular type of fishing, can be done in a fishing pond or by fishing in holes, making it perfect for serious anglers as well.

And as a bonus, the smelt you catch will be made into tempura for you! It's fun for families too, so why not give it a try if you have small children with you? All equipment is available for rent and no license is required, so have a blast at Ice Land!

<Event Details: Smelt fishing at Iceland>
■Opening hours: 8:00 AM to sunset. Early morning appointments are also planned.
■Location: Lake Akan

Check out this video to see what winter ice fishing for smelt at Lake Akan is like!
- Ice fishing for smelt on Lake Akan in Hokkaido in the middle of winter, and then eating tempura!

3-4. Lots of other activities! I want to try them all!

Curling is a hugely popular ice-based mini-game every year.

In this game using real curling stones, if you hit the target, you'll receive a voucher for a commemorative gift from a sponsoring store! Participation is free, so everyone is welcome to join.

<Event Details: Mini-Games on Ice>
■Opening hours: 19:30 PM - 20:20 PM
■Location: Lake Akan
■ Fee: Free

Get ready for a blast on the natural ice slide! During the event, the ice of Lake Akan will be transformed into a slide.

It's even more fun than sledding! This slide is a huge hit every year. It offers a completely different kind of fun compared to typical park slides, making you want to slide down again and again. It's a rare experience, so be sure to let your children play!

There is no train station at Lake Akan, so buses are the most common mode of transportation.
(It's about a 12-minute walk from Akan Lake Bus Terminal to Lake Akan.)

From Kushiro Station and Kushiro Airport
■Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes from Kushiro Station, and approximately 1 hour 5 minutes from Kushiro Airport.
For further information, please read CLICK HEREから

From Kitami Station and Memanbetsu Airport
■Approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes from Kitami Station, or approximately 2 hours from Memanbetsu Airport with a transfer in Kitami.
For further information, please read CLICK HEREから
*Since the number of buses is limited in both cases, be sure to check before booking your flight tickets.

~From Sapporo Station and New Chitose Airport~
■Marimo Express Sapporo (1 service per day): Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes from Sapporo Station, and approximately 4 hours 30 minutes from New Chitose Airport.
For further information, please read CLICK HEREから

In addition, there is a one-coin (500 yen one way) shuttle bus service available exclusively for guests staying at participating hotels within Lake Akan from Kushiro, Kitami, and Obihiro!
For further information, please read CLICK HEREから

Limited-time "Eastern Hokkaido Express Bus" and "Eastern Hokkaido Sightseeing Bus"

Additionally, there are limited-time buses operating from Lake Akan to various tourist destinations such as Lake Mashu, Kawayu Onsen, Abashiri, Monbetsu, Sounkyo, Kushiro, Kushiro Marsh, and Nakashibetsu, called the "Higashi Hokkaido Express Bus" (operating period: January 20 to March 11), and the "Winter Higashi Hokkaido Bus" (operating period: January 12 to March 10, some until February 28), which connects to Obihiro and Shiretoko Utoro.
This is recommended for those who want to enjoy traveling to other areas beyond Lake Akan!

For details on routes, fares, etc., please click here (reservations are required for boarding).

Winter at Lake Akan is filled with warm hospitality, protected by the god of fire.

A wondrous world awaits you, where you can even enjoy a cold you wouldn't normally experience. Whether you've been to Lake Akan before or not, please come and see, touch, and enjoy "ICE"!

More detailed event information will be announced on the official website in late December, so please check the latest information before you go.

<Event details>
Event period: February 1, 2019 - March 3, 2019
Location: Akan Lake Onsen, special venue on the ice of Lake Akan
Phone: 0154-67-3200 (Akan Tourism Association Community Development Promotion Organization, NPO)
*Note: Pets are not allowed.
*Event details may change depending on the ice conditions.

If you'd like to learn more about the charms of Lake Akan in winter, please check this out!
・[Winter Stunning Scenery] Lake Akan - Frost Flowers | Ice flowers blooming in a paradise in the sky!
・[Winter Lake Akan] Akan Crystal Road: A world of its own where frost-covered trees stretch for 50 kilometers.
・A spectacular viewpoint at Lake Akan! Experience snowshoeing on Mt. Shirayu.

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