The Chitose Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is an ice festival that makes use of the bitterly cold climate of Lake Shikotsu. Lake Shikotsu water, one of the clearest in Japan, is sprayed onto a structure using sprinklers to create ice sculptures of all sizes. They shine a natural blue during the day, and at night are lit up with colorful lights, creating a fantastical world. The inns around the venue are also known for their high-quality hot springs, so we recommend staying overnight and enjoying the experience.