It's about a 15-minute drive from Asahikawa Station.
On a hill overlooking the Daisetsuzan mountain range stood an elegant building reminiscent of medieval Europe.

Disney's "Frozen," a phenomenal box office hit, has sparked a frenzy with its "strikingly similar" world, leading to the creation of "The Snow Museum."

I came to Asahikawa because I wanted to experience the world of princesses, something every woman dreams of.
What kind of moving experiences await us here?

I would like to convey that worldview to you.

Table of contents
1. The White World: The Entrance Hall
2. The spiral staircase has the same hexagonal shape as a snowflake.
3. The "Ice Corridor" is breathtakingly beautiful.
4. Snow Crystal Museum
5. The concept of the "Music Hall" is an "outdoor music hall."
6. Enjoy a "princess experience" in your favorite dress.
7. Conclusion

There isn't a single window in the building that allows you to see inside.
The door was engraved with beautiful snowflakes.

"Is this the right place?" I wondered, feeling a little nervous, as I opened the heavy door...

There, you'll find a world of pure white.
An otherworldly space unfolds before you, making you almost forget you're in Japan.

The ceiling of the entrance hall is so high that you can't help but look up.
The first thing that catches your eye is the beauty of the decorations, such as the arched architecture, the magnificent chandeliers, and the marble floors.

In the center of the front was a tapestry called "Snow Emblem," woven with silver threads using the Yukaraori technique.
Yukaraori is a type of textile created by Aya Kiuchi (1924-2006), the founder of the "Snow Museum," as a unique craft of Hokkaido.

The surroundings were bathed in soft light, resembling a snow sculpture.
A breathtaking world of pure white unfolds before you.

■Admission Fees: General (Adults) 700 yen, High school and university students 500 yen, Elementary and junior high school students 400 yen (all prices include tax)

As you proceed from the entrance, you will come to a hexagonal spiral staircase.
Looking down from the center, you can clearly see the beauty of its hexagonal shape.

Snowflakes are carved into various places throughout the building.
Snowflakes were also incorporated into the railings of the stairs at Bronze.

Following the railing, we descend underground in a spiral pattern.
What appeared before us was a fountain radiating a fantastical beauty.

It has come to be said that if you throw a coin into this fountain, your wish will come true.

The container held many coins from around the world, each bearing the hopes and dreams of the people who threw them in.

As I descend the spiral staircase, I can feel the room temperature getting lower.
Here's the secret: The passageway is at +10°C, while the front room with the ice sculptures is at -15°C.

The temperature difference across a single pane of glass is as much as 25°C.

This aesthetically pleasing structure was created by pumping up groundwater with a special nozzle and spraying it in a mist-like form.
These ice formations can be enjoyed throughout the year.

For those visiting in the middle of summer, this looks like it would be a perfect spot to cool off.

Each ice formation is unique, making you want to look at them all through the glass.
The illuminated ice sparkles and shines, appearing like jewels.

A circular blue room.
This room has photographs of snowflakes embedded in it, like stained glass.

That's a whopping 200 sheets!
No two crystals are exactly alike.

These crystals were photographed from snow that fell on Mount Asahidake, the main peak of the Daisetsuzan mountain range.
These were taken one by one by professors at the Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University.

From right to left, the crystals were photographed in locations with lower temperatures.
The hexagonal "ice branches" are said to bloom more beautifully as the temperature drops.

There are several pink crystals among the blue crystals. It is said that touching them will bring about a bond of wishes.

A couple who were visiting touched the pink crystal.
I hope your feelings reach them.

The main floor, located underground, is a "music hall." The concept is an "outdoor music hall."

The massive ceiling painting "Northern Sky," which took approximately three months to create, was a collaborative work by seven artists.
It has a sense of openness, like a planetarium.

The wooden chairs are from Asahikawa Furniture. There are 200 chairs adorned with "Yukaraori" fabric.
It's a place used for socializing, concerts, weddings, and other events.

The "music hall" is said to be inspired by the image of snowmelt water creating a babbling melody under the open sky.

The stage features a white Bösendorfer piano, one of only two in Japan, and a French-made pedal grand harp.

Actual water flows around the central stage, and the lights reflect off the water's surface, creating a sparkling effect.

Numerous works of art and crafts are displayed, encircling the concert hall.
■Bunraku puppet (top left)
■Royal Copenhagen (top right)
■Persian royal robes (bottom left)
■ Painted statues of an official (standing) and a woman (seated) (bottom right)

There were several special rooms surrounding the concert hall.

You can also enjoy the information room (bottom left) where you can learn about snow crystals through exhibits of videos, panels, and academic materials, the shop (bottom right) which stocks goods related to snow and ice, and the cafe restaurant "Snowna" where you can enjoy an elegant tea time.

Now that you've come this far, the one thing I absolutely want you to experience is the "Princess Experience."
Anyone can magically transform into a princess!

Choosing your favorite dress from the approximately 100 available in the venue will make you feel like a princess (or prince).
Why not capture a memorable photo against the backdrop of the castle-like "Snow Museum"?

From pure white dresses to a variety of colorful dresses.
You're sure to find the perfect dress for you!

What did you think?

The moment you open the door, a different world unfolds before you at the "Snow Museum." The world reminiscent of medieval Europe will instantly draw you into another dimension.

Wouldn't this be a special spot that couples, or anyone special in particular, would want to visit at least once?

[Snow Museum (located within Hokkaido Traditional Arts and Crafts Village)]
■Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM (Closed from December 30th to January 12th)
■ Telephone number: 0166-73-7017
■Address: 3-1-1 Minamigaoka, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido
■ URL: http://yukibi.marryblossom.com/abouts/

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