Choosing between lake Shikotsu tours comes down to season, budget, and how much ground you want to cover in a day. We review every option and keep the 5 best here.
★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 10 reviews · from $58.53Our top pick
Ride a reserved-seat bus from Sapporo to the 2026 Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival. Spend about two hours among giant sculptures made from the lake’s clear water, lit in changing colors. There is no sightseeing guide, and dinner is not included.
“Ice festival was amazing We loved it,something we never see before Absolutely enjoyed the whole thing Just wish the tour guide could speak English so we can understand the story about it,she friendly & talked all the way but only Japanese language After all we still happy seen the amazing ice festival 🙏❤️”
★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $247.58Highest rated
Join Sumi, Sato, or Taki for a private seven-hour outing from Sapporo to Lake Shikotsu and Moss Canyon. Expect a beginner-friendly nature walk, volcano views, birdwatching, moss, mushrooms, and hands-on guidance over rocky ground.
“Sumi was really good in guiding us to this piece of untouched haven, it was such a treat for my family and me, we had a first hand’s encounter with Hokkaido’s beautiful nature that was totally breathtaking. Sumi speaks great English and she Read more”
Travel from Sapporo with guide Tomo in a private high-end vehicle to Lake Shikotsu, fish near Polopinai, visit Marukoma Onsen, and enjoy Japan’s clearest lake views.
“The drive out of town was really enjoyable. Tomo is a great tour guide and will create a bespoke experience, just for you. Shikotsu Lake is so clear and absolutely gorgeous. The ambience is serene and picturesque. Possible sightings of deer aRead more”
Travel from Sapporo to Lake Shikotsu with an English-speaking guide, spend 90 minutes among ice sculptures and lanterns, then enjoy lunch and onsen time at secluded Marukoma Ryokan.
“My friends and I attended this large festival, and the ice lanterns were absolutely beautiful. We enjoyed local food and visited an area covered in ice, a scene I will never forget.”
Travel by bus from Sapporo to the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, with 90 minutes for ice sculptures and photos, then enjoy lunch and a two-hour soak at Marukoma Onsen. The group is capped at 21 people.
