The Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival, a kingdom of ice that only appears during the cold season, will be held again this winter.
This feat, only possible in the extreme cold of Hokkaido, is as if it's under a spell that prevents it from melting!

So, this time, I'd like to introduce the highlights of the Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival. This ice kingdom feels like stepping into a movie scene, and this article is packed with event information, including what kind of place it is and what you can enjoy!

Sounkyo Onsen is definitely a place you'll want to enjoy in winter!

<Contents>
1. First, let me introduce the charms of Sounkyo Onsen!
2. Packed with events! Check out the schedule for the Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival!
3. Highlights of the venue!
4. Transportation Access
Final thoughts

Sounkyo Onsen has a different face in each of the four seasons, making it a place that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
The Ishikari River, which boasts the widest drainage basin in Hokkaido, flows through this gorge, where breathtaking scenery carved from the rocks unfolds. It stretches an impressive 24 kilometers, showcasing the sheer power of nature.

Sounkyo Onsen is very famous for its hot springs where you can enjoy stunning views, and it's a popular modern hot spring resort. The center of the hot spring town has been developed as "Canyon Mall," inspired by Canadian mountain resorts, offering a unique atmosphere that sets it apart from other hot spring towns.

The spring water is a simple sulfur spring, and it has beneficial effects on conditions such as rheumatism, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Autumn is the time of year when Sounkyo attracts the most tourists.

The entire top of the sheer mountainside is painted in autumn colors, so you can enjoy viewing the autumn foliage while taking in the spectacular scenery!

~Galaxy Waterfall~
The gorge also boasts two major tourist attractions: the "Galaxy Falls" and the "Meteor Falls," offering breathtaking scenery. Some cliffs reach heights of approximately 200 meters, creating a powerful and impressive atmosphere with the sound and volume of the waterfalls.

In winter, the waterfall transforms into ice, freezing in its original state, illustrating just how extremely cold this region is. It remains motionless, seemingly ready to begin flowing at any moment, patiently awaiting spring.

As you can see, Sounkyo Onsen is a charming place packed with things to enjoy.

Among them, the Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival is loved as one of Hokkaido's premier winter events.

The Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival, which has been held since 1976, is a celebration of ice and light created by the extreme cold and nature of "winter."

Only in Hokkaido can you hold an event that makes the most of the cold! The ice sculptures, created on a grand scale, line the Ishikari River, and when combined with the seven-colored light-up, you can enter a fantastical world.

The name "Icefall Festival" comes from the image of water that has frozen as it flows from a waterfall. An event that incorporates a gorge like this is something that could only be done in Sounkyo Onsen.

Using a site of approximately 1 square meters, the theme of the festival, built on the riverbed of the Ishikari River, changes every year.
Production is scheduled to begin in early November. We will meticulously build the framework from the ground up, and then finally start watering it in December. The base construction will take approximately two months.
In 2017, an ice sculpture inspired by a Thai temple was created.
I'm already excited to see what will be created in 2018.(We will add more information as soon as it becomes available!)

The painstaking work transforms into something beautiful, and the meticulously crafted objects are now magnificent structures in themselves! The "Ice Observation Deck," the tallest structure in the venue, will be making an appearance again this year, so please look forward to it!

The ice sculptures are illuminated at night, revealing a completely different appearance than during the day. The fantastical light show is one of the highlights, so be sure to enjoy the difference between day and night!

3-1. Take a photo and get a "Certificate of Extreme Cold"

Image provided by: Hotel Monterey Sapporo & Edelhof Sapporo staff blog
At the "photo corner" set up at the entrance inside the venue, there is a free photo-taking service available.

Along with your commemorative photo, you'll receive a "Certificate of Extreme Cold." This certificate, given to those who visit during the cold season, is sure to be the best souvenir of your trip. There's also a mascot sign displaying the temperature of the day, so please enjoy the "cold"!

3-2. You should definitely check out the Ice Waterfall Shrine! Perfect for those seeking success in love or those taking exams!

Image provided by: Hotel Monterey Sapporo & Edelhof Sapporo staff blog
This object is hard to identify just by looking at the picture. The round patterns are actually made up of "money."

The "Ice Waterfall Shrine," which has a donation box, is said to be the perfect shrine for students taking exams because the ice is "non-slip" and money stuck to the sculptures "won't fall off."

It's also rumored to bring good fortune in love, so please do give it a try!

3-3. Kids and adults alike will be thrilled! Get excited with the ice attraction!

Image provided by: Sounkyo Choyotei
A huge hit with families! The "ice slide" is back again this year. This thrilling slide offers both tube and sled options. It's a paid attraction, but definitely worth trying!

It's faster than you might imagine, so you'll feel like you're on a bobsleigh ride. This masterpiece is a unique attraction in itself, so please give it a try!
<Fee>
[Time] 10:00 to 21:30
[Price] 15 minutes: 500 yen
*This is a 15-minute unlimited skating session. Please note that the price is based on last year's rates, so please check the official website for the latest information!

The "Ice Tunnel," a perennially popular attraction, is one of the most sought-after events, offering a journey through an ice cave.

Stepping into the meticulously crafted tunnel gives you the illusion of being under an unbreakable spell. You can truly experience what a world of ice is like.

Why not enjoy exploring a cave made of snow and ice? We're also planning to build an observation deck where you can get a panoramic view of the entire area, so let's enjoy that as well!

3-4. Enjoy a blissful drink while appreciating works of art! "Northern Ice Bar"

The world of extreme cold is indeed cold. But don't worry! There's a place where you can warm yourself from the inside out: "The Ice Bar of the North".
Although it's only on weekends, they serve Asahikawa's local sake hot. This bar also offers a special highball exclusive to the icefall event, which is a real treat for sake lovers! But ultimately, you'll want to just admire the view from inside the venue. Perhaps you could enjoy a drink while you leisurely appreciate the scenery.

Of course, there are also shops and rest areas available for those who do not drink alcohol.
There's a space where you can warm up with a nice, hot drink, so let's go and get moderately warm! The most popular is the "Sake Lees Cocoa," which is, of course, non-alcoholic.

Other shops also sell snacks and souvenirs, making it very convenient for various purposes. The pork buns and homemade sausages made with "Keikoku Miton" pork raised locally in Kamikawa are incredibly delicious, so be sure to try them at least once!

3-5. The events taking place on stage are spectacular! Let's enjoy them to the fullest!

The stage shows are always packed with great content, and many of the events, which take place almost every day, are sponsored by travel agencies and airlines, offering plenty of perks for participants.

The event will include an opening ceremony, as well as performances of Ainu folk dance, Namahage drumming, a lucky rice cake throwing event, a mascot character pick-up, and various raffles sponsored by other companies.

There will also be complimentary sake and soup, and we are currently accepting applications for our "Icefall Wedding," where you can share a moving moment on stage. If you want to exchange vows surrounded by the blessings of many people, please consider joining us!

*Please note that the event may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. For details, please check the website.

3-6. Every weekend you can see a collaboration of fireworks and colorful illuminations!

Fireworks that light up the winter night sky are an essential part of the Ice Waterfall Festival.

The fireworks launched on weekends, combined with the illuminations, create a breathtakingly beautiful spectacle. If you're going to the Ice Waterfall Festival, this is definitely something you should see.

The fireworks are scheduled to start at 20:30 PM every week, so please dress warmly if you're going out! By the way, the illuminations are scheduled to run from 16 PM to 22 PM!

3-7. Ice Climbing: Fun for Beginners!

A new spot has opened where you can experience ice climbing, where you use equipment to ascend ice walls!
They rent out climbing equipment.

Furthermore, even beginners will receive thorough instruction on how to use the equipment and how to climb, so anyone can give it a try.
Apparently, at a previous event, a young elementary school girl managed to climb all the way to the top!

*If you prefer to take the train rather than driving on unfamiliar snowy roads, you can access it using the method below.
■Train + Bus
From Kamikawa Station... Take the Dohoku Bus bound for Sounkyo (approximately 30 minutes).
From Asahikawa Station... Take the Dohoku Bus bound for Sounkyo (approximately 110 minutes).
*If you have circumstances that make driving more convenient, please use the following method to access the site.
Exit the Asahikawa-Monbetsu Expressway at the Kamikawa-Sounkyo Interchange and head towards Sounkyo on National Highway 39 in Daisetsuzan.
*It is approximately 25 kilometers from the interchange to Sounkyo Onsen.
Parking: Free (200 spaces)
[Timetables for each route]
Asahikawa/Kamikawa ⇔ Sounkyo
Kitami ⇔ Sounkyo
・Kushiro/Lake Akan ⇔ Sounkyo

■ Shuttle bus
Some accommodations in Sounkyo Onsen offer shuttle bus services from Sapporo and Asahikawa, so it's a good idea to check this when considering your lodging.
Hotel Daisetsu
Sounkaku Grand Hotel
Sounkyo Choyotei Asahi Resort Hotel

■ Limited-time bus
From January 26th to March 11th, the "Higashi Hokkaido Express Bus," a limited-time bus service convenient for winter sightseeing in eastern Hokkaido, departs from Sounkyo and goes to Monbetsu (famous for its drift ice), Abashiri, and Shiretoko Utoro. It also operates from Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, Abashiri, and Monbetsu to Sounkyo.
This is also highly recommended for those who want to enjoy other events and sightseeing in eastern Hokkaido!
Higashi Hokkaido Express Bus

Final thoughts

The Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival, a representative event of Hokkaido, evolves year after year, and its seasonal themes are surprisingly spectacular.

While the scale of the event is impressive, what truly makes it special is the incredible ice sculptures and artistic displays that far exceed expectations. It's packed with experiences only possible in such extreme cold, so why not consider visiting next time?

When you go out, be sure to dress warmly and enjoy yourself!

Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival
Address: Sounkyo Onsen, Kamikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 01658-5-3950
Event period: January 25, 2019 (Fri) - March 17, 2019 (Sun)
Event time: Scheduled from 14:00 PM to 22:00 PM
Location: Special venue for the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival in Kamikawa Town
No prior registration required.
Fee: 300 yen as a contribution to cover expenses (free for children under elementary school age)
Organizer: Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival Executive Committee
http://www.town.hokkaido-kamikawa.lg.jp/section/sangyoukeizai/d57c9r0000000c9y.html

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