I think everyone has thought, "I'd love to see the aurora borealis at least once." Low-latitude auroras can sometimes appear inland in Hokkaido, but there's no guarantee of when or where they'll appear, making them a difficult natural phenomenon to witness.

However, at "Shiretoko Fantasia," held in Shiretoko during the winter, you can see a beautifully and fantastically recreated aurora.

So, in this article, we'll give you a summary of the highlights of Shiretoko Fantasia. We'll introduce what kind of aurora you can see, as well as other unique Shiretoko events, so please use this as a reference!

* "Shiretoko Fantasia" ended in 2016, and a new event, "Shiretoko Drift Ice Festival," will be held from 2017.
(Implementation period: January 30, 2017 - February 28, 2017)
We will also be conducting interviews after the event begins and will be publishing an article about it, so please wait a little while!

<Contents>
1. The History of Shiretoko Fantasia
2. Investigating the event details of Shiretoko Fantasia!
3. The Oshinkoshin Falls as it can only be seen now.
4. Details of Shiretoko Fantasia
5. Conclusion

The story goes back to 1958. The aurora borealis that suddenly appeared over Shiretoko was simply breathtaking. The event began in 1987 with the desire to recreate that feeling of awe, and a group of volunteers came together to start it.

The event, named "Aurora Fantasy," features a laser-based aurora borealis recreation, and includes extras to let visitors enjoy the drift ice that comes to the Sea of ​​Okhotsk and the cold of Shiretoko. Its appeal is such that some people have stumbled upon it on a drift ice tour and have been visiting every year ever since.

2-1. Be amazed by the Shiretoko Drift Ice Drumming! Experience its coolness for yourself!

Before the Aurora Fantasy show begins, one thing you should definitely check out is the local performing art of Shari Town, "Drifting Ice Drums."

This is a powerful taiko drum performance that depicts drift ice crashing into the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, and the warmth of the drums is palpable even in the bitter cold. Be sure to check out this passionate performance that resonates through the night sky and touches your heart!

2-2. You can visit the ice floe enclosure!

"Ryuhyo-gai" refers to alcoholic beverages made using drift ice.
The method is quite simple: the sake is surrounded by drift ice and left to age at a constant temperature, a method unique to Shiretoko. The aged sake becomes very mellow and transforms into a precious drink that can only be produced during this time of year.

The exhibit of the drift ice enclosure is located inside the venue, so be sure to take a look at this precious sight of the remote Shiretoko! There are several types of raw sake that have been aged in storage tanks surrounded by natural drift ice, and they are released every year in late April as limited edition products. If you are interested, ask the staff on site.

2-3. Receive blessings at the drift ice shrine, which only appears during the event period.

The drift ice shrine, made of snow and ice, is a winter-only shrine that only appears during the event period.
Of course, you can also visit the site to pray, and it's said that if you put your wish into the hole in the drift ice, your wish will come true. There's also an offering box, so you might as well make a wish...

Besides the blessings it brings, the shrine, built by hand, is so magnificent that it's hard to believe it's made of snow and ice. It's a place that's enjoyable just to admire as a work of art, so please do go and visit!

2-4. Get original Shiretoko merchandise at the Aurora Banya venue.

At the Aurora Ban'ya venue, where local shops gather to set up stalls, you can purchase Shiretoko's specialty products and original items. The selection varies each year, including fresh seafood, sweets, and other items that are in season now. Even just browsing is a fun experience.

While it's common to buy these items at airports and other places, you might find some hidden gems here that you can't get anywhere else! ♪ Be sure to take your time and stop by. You might stumble upon something unexpected...

2-5. Free amazake (sweet rice drink) will warm both your body and soul.

The highly popular, limited-quantity "free amazake (sweet rice wine) distribution" will be held again during the 2016 event. Many Shiretoko Fantasia attendees are repeat visitors, and those in the know always line up to get their hands on the amazake. To avoid regretting later that you missed out on the free amazake, be sure to line up at the right time!

After enjoying the cold, warm your body and soul with sweet rice wine lovingly prepared by the Shiretoko staff. It will warm you right to the core!

2-6. The climax of the event: the aurora borealis appears, creating a truly moving spectacle!

The aurora fantasy, accompanied by enchanting and enchanting music, takes place at the end of the event, around 20 PM, for approximately 20 minutes. Held nightly at Utoro Fishing Port, the aurora is created by fishermen working together to light straw to create smoke, and then projecting light onto that smoke.

The spectacle is, frankly, beyond imagination! The aurora display changes every year, offering a beautiful fantasy show. Even though it's artificial, the way it's presented makes it seem so real that it's definitely worth seeing! This aurora festival, recreated with enchanting music, will surely be a memory you'll cherish forever. Don't miss it!

Oshinkoshin Falls, a popular tourist spot year-round, will be illuminated during the event period.

The Oshinkoshin Falls, adorned in seven colors, present a different face than usual, seemingly illustrating just how cold Shiretoko is.

Shiretoko, where nighttime temperatures can drop below -10 degrees Celsius, is bitterly cold, but it is precisely because of this biting cold that it possesses a beauty that can only be seen there.

When you go out, be sure to dress warmly, but also make sure you're fully protected with something to cover your face and ears, gloves, etc., so you can enjoy yourself to the fullest!

<Shiretoko Fantasia 2016>
Address: Shiretoko Utoro Onsen, Shari Town, Hokkaido (Special venue at the Drift Ice Nature Park)
Phone: 0152-22-2125 (Shiretoko Shari Town Tourism Association)
Event Period: February 5, 2016 (Fri) - March 12, 2016 (Sat)
Event time: 20:00 PM - approximately 20 minutes (Aurora Fantasy start time)
* You can also visit the drift ice shrine and the drift ice enclosure during the daytime.
Access: Approximately 50 minutes by Shiretoko Line Shari Bus from JR Senmo Main Line Shiretoko-Shari Station.
Get off at "Utoro Onsen Terminal" and walk for about 10 minutes.
Price: 500 yen (for elementary school students and older)
URL:http://www.shiretoko.asia/
*All events listed on the schedule are tentative. Please check the latest information on the website before you go. (Some events, such as the Shiretoko Drift Ice Taiko performance, have specific dates.)
*Shuttle buses are available from each hotel, so be sure to check the schedule.

The winter Sea of ​​Okhotsk, covered in drift ice, unfolds into a mystical white world. The Aurora Fantasy, held against this backdrop of drift ice, is a truly unique Shiretoko event. Why not take a trip to Shiretoko in winter to experience the drift ice and the aurora borealis?

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