The "Mushroom Ice Exploration Tour 2022" will be held at Lake Nukabira in Kamishihoro Town from February 1st! On this tour, you can see the miraculous ice formations called "mushroom ice" that can only be seen in Kamishihoro Town.

"Mushroom ice" sparkling in the sun

"Mushroom ice" is a unique natural phenomenon that can be seen at Lake Nukabira, a dam lake. Every winter around February, the water level drops to the bottom of the lake due to hydroelectric power generation, and the frozen lake surface remains on top of tree stumps at the bottom of the lake. It is called "mushroom ice" because it looks like a mushroom.

Over 100 different sizes of mushroom ice appear

On this tour, you will put on snowshoes and walk about one kilometer on the lake. Along the way, we will also visit Sannosawa Bridge. We will show you a place where mushroom-shaped ice forms everywhere on Lake Nukabira, which is a different route from the Taushubetsu Bridge crossing route.

"Ice bubbles" are gas bubbles trapped in ice that have risen from the bottom of the lake.

If you're lucky, you might even be able to see the currently popular "ice bubbles." Why not go and see this mysterious sight, unique in Japan, where nature and man-made structures intertwine? (Photo provided by NPO Higashi Daisetsu Nature Guide Center)