Lake Shikaribetsu in Shikaoi

On the advice of the friendly couple I’m staying with in Obihiro, I’m off to Lake Shikaribetsu for the day. From Obihiro station, I take a bus that regularly shuttles me to the site, arriving 1h45 later.

Every winter, the frozen lake plays host to an ephemeral village of igloos and various activities. Warm clothing is a must! On the lakeside, a center and hotel with onsen provide warmth and refreshment.

The wind is blowing hard, but everything is immaculate and there’s something magical about the snow that rises from the ice.

Il est possible de faire un tour en motoneige, de s’informer sur la formation de la glace ou de tester l’intérieur d’un igloo. Les visiteurs sont invités à passer la nuit sur place.

For my part, I’ll opt for a visit to the ice chapel, where the play of light through the ice is really cool. I’ll also take a footbath in the onsen improvised for the occasion. The water, very hot and blown, is captured under the lake. Another pool is available for those who wish to immerse themselves completely.

The village is not very big and you can quickly get around it. But the originality of the place makes it a pleasant curiosity to visit for a day. Booking a room at the hotel adjacent to the lake must also be interesting to extend the night experience. In the summer, I imagine that the lake and the surrounding mountains are sumptuous, matching the landscapes of Hokkaido.