Sōunkyō Icefall Festival

Overview

The Sounkyo Hyobaku Matsuri is a winter festival held annually in the Sounkyo Onsen area of Kamikawa Town, Hokkaido Prefecture. It is typically held from late January to early March at a special venue on the Ishikari Riverbed (the exact period varies by year, so please check the official website for the latest schedule). Taking advantage of the severe cold that drops to minus 20 degrees Celsius, organizers spray water onto frames to create ice structures exceeding 10 meters in height, which are then illuminated at night.

This festival has been certified as a Japan Night View Heritage site, featuring approximately 30 large and small ice sculptures arranged throughout the venue. At night, multicolored lighting transforms the ice sculptures, including an ice shrine and tunnel-like ice passages, into a fantastical landscape. Visitors can walk through this frozen world, appreciating the artistic creations that only an extremely cold environment can produce.

History and Origins

The Sounkyo Hyobaku Matsuri was first held in 1976. It began under the name “Juhyo Matsuri” (Frost-covered Tree Festival) and was renamed to its current title starting from the second edition. The festival was created through the cooperation of local residents and lodging facilities with the goal of revitalizing the winter season in the hot spring town.

The foundation of this festival was laid by sculptor Toshiyo Takenaka. Takenaka repeatedly conducted experiments in the mountains and developed a unique technique of spraying water onto structures to create ice objects. This method made it possible to produce artificial ice sculptures that imitate natural ice falls, establishing the core artistic expression of the festival.

The festival, nurtured by Takenaka’s technique and the cooperation of local residents, gradually expanded in scale. The process of spraying water to freeze it requires temperatures of at least minus 10 degrees Celsius to proceed effectively, meaning continuous low temperatures are necessary during the production period. Consequently, the festival is consistently scheduled from late January to early March, the coldest period in Sounkyo.

In recent years, in addition to the traditional ice sculpture display, new initiatives utilizing regional resources such as the winter dam lake have sometimes been introduced depending on the year, allowing the festival to create new tourism value while maintaining its traditions. As the content varies by year, please check the official website for the latest programs.

Highlights

30 Ice Sculptures with Seven-Color Illumination The special venue on the Ishikari Riverbed features approximately 30 large and small ice sculptures, including ice structures exceeding 10 meters in height and an ice shrine. These sculptures are created by gradually spraying water to freeze it, achieving a texture and transparency reminiscent of natural ice falls. At night, seven-color illumination creates a fantastical landscape where the ice appears to glow from within.

Fireworks Displays Every Night at 8:30 PM Fireworks are launched from behind the ice sculptures every night at 8:30 PM throughout the festival period. The contrast between the fireworks blooming in the subzero night sky and the illuminated ice sculptures is one of the festival’s greatest attractions. The sound of fireworks echoes through the quiet winter gorge, allowing spectators to etch each moment of brilliance into their memories alongside the frozen world.

Visiting the Ice Shrine An ice shrine made entirely of ice is set up within the venue, where visitors can actually pay their respects. The ice torii gate and shrine building, illuminated by colored lights, exude a sacred atmosphere distinct from that of a traditional shrine. Visitors can experience a unique moment of winter prayer specific to Hokkaido through this ritual performed in extreme cold.

Photo Spots Including the HYOBAKU Monument Multiple photo-worthy spots, including a monument shaped like the “HYOBAKU” logo, are installed throughout the venue. These ice monuments are designed to look particularly striking under nighttime illumination. Visitors often form queues at each spot waiting for their turn to capture a memorable photograph.

Sake Lees Amazake from Kamikawa Daisetsu Brewery At the venue’s shop, handmade amazake (sweet fermented rice drink) made from sake lees produced by Kamikawa Daisetsu Brewery, a local sake distillery in Kamikawa Town, is available. This is a hospitality offering designed to warm the bodies of visitors chilled by the extreme cold, as well as an opportunity to experience local food culture. Local products from Kamikawa Town are also sold, allowing visitors to enjoy the regional flavors.

Nature Cruise on Lake Daisetsu Dam (January 18 to 31) The nighttime illumination is the greatest highlight of the festival. The ice sculptures and tunnel-like ice passages, lit up in seven colors, present an entirely different, fantastical appearance from the daytime. The world of ice glowing in the clear, freezing air draws many visitors as an extraordinary winter scene unique to Hokkaido.

Japan’s Largest Canyon Slider (January 18 to 31) At the special venue on Lake Daisetsu Dam, a snow tubing activity called “Canyon Slider” utilizing the vast snowfield is also held. This activity, touted as one of the largest in Japan, is popular among families and younger visitors. The combination of ice sculpture viewing and winter activities enhances the festival’s overall appeal.

Event Information and Access

Event Period: Typically from late January to early March (the period varies by year; please check the official website for the latest schedule)

Opening Hours: Weekdays from 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM (last entry at 9:15 PM); Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM (last entry at 9:15 PM)

Venue: Special venue on the Ishikari Riverbed, Sounkyo Onsen, Kamikawa Town, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido

Admission Fee: 1,000 yen for junior high school students and above; free for elementary school students and younger

Access by Car: Approximately 60 kilometers from Asahikawa Station, about 2 hours by car. Free parking available for about 200 vehicles

Access by Public Transportation: About 2 hours by route bus from JR Asahikawa Station to Sounkyo; about 30 minutes from JR Kamikawa Station

Fireworks Schedule: Every night at 8:30 PM for approximately 5 minutes during the festival period

Contact Information: Sounkyo Tourism Association (01658-2-1811, weekdays 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM); Visitor Information Center (01658-5-3350, 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM)

Organizer: Sounkyo Onsen Icefall Festival Executive Committee

Surrounding Area Information

Sounkyo Onsen is located within Daisetsuzan National Park and is known as one of Hokkaido’s leading hot spring resorts. Numerous accommodation facilities line the hot spring town, and many hotels are within walking distance of the Ice Fall Festival venue. In winter, visitors can enjoy outdoor baths while viewing snow-covered landscapes, providing a perfect way to warm up after experiencing the cold at the festival.

Daisetsuzan National Park is a popular destination for hiking and trekking in summer, but in winter, the Ice Fall Festival becomes the center of tourism. The symbolic “Ginga no Taki” (Milky Way Waterfall) and “Ryusei no Taki” (Shooting Star Waterfall) in Sounkyo freeze during winter, creating ice falls that offer impressive scenery even during the day. Additionally, the Sounkyo Ropeway provides panoramic views from near the summit of the Daisetsu mountain range.

In the surrounding area, visitors can purchase local products from Kamikawa Town and sake from Kamikawa Daisetsu Brewery. The Sounkyo Onsen town center has a concentration of souvenir shops and restaurants where visitors can enjoy Hokkaido seafood dishes and ramen.

Related Information

1. Japan Night View Heritage Certification: The Sounkyo Hyobaku Matsuri is certified as a Japan Night View Heritage site, recognized nationwide as a highly evaluated nighttime event.

2. Sounkyo Tourism Association Official Website: The latest information is available on the official website of the Sounkyo Tourism Association at sounkyo.net.

3. Ginga Falls and Ryusei Falls: Representative waterfalls of Sounkyo that freeze in winter to form ice falls, offering impressive scenery even during the daytime.

4. Winter Attire Precautions: The venue is extremely cold, requiring warm clothing and shoes with non-slip soles. Gloves and non-slip grips are sold at the venue’s rest area.

5. Free Parking: A free parking lot accommodating approximately 200 vehicles is available near the venue.

6. Accommodation Information: Numerous lodging facilities are available in Sounkyo Onsen, with many hotels within walking distance of the venue or providing shuttle bus services.

7. Fireworks Schedule: Fireworks are launched every night at 8:30 PM during the festival period. Displays may be cancelled in case of bad weather.

8. Historical Background: First held in 1976 as “Juhyo Matsuri,” the festival developed through the water-spraying technique invented by sculptor Toshiyo Takenaka.

9. Access Information: Approximately 2 hours by route bus from JR Asahikawa Station; about 30 minutes from JR Kamikawa Station. Caution is required regarding road conditions in winter.

10. Local Amazake: The venue shop offers amazake made from sake lees of Kamikawa Daisetsu Brewery, providing warmth to chilled visitors.

← Explore More Festivals