Hokkaido Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival Season Limited Day Tour

Lake Shikotsu’s winter ice festival turns water into towering sculptures, glowing lanterns, and strange frozen forms. This tour pairs that chilly spectacle with a warm lunch and onsen soak at Marukoma Onsen Ryokan, making a full winter day from two very different Hokkaido experiences.

I like the included festival ticket and lunch, since you do not need to sort out separate payments in the cold. I also like the simple Sapporo pickup and drop-off, plus an English-speaking guide and an air-conditioned vehicle. The main drawback is time: 90 minutes at the festival may feel brief if you want to examine every sculpture or eat at length.

Key points

• Ice sculptures and lanterns at Lake Shikotsu: Spend about 90 minutes inside Hokkaido’s signature winter festival.
• Lunch and onsen at Marukoma Ryokan: Two hours are set aside for a meal and a hot spring visit after the cold festival.
• Transport from central Sapporo: Meet at the ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo at 8:00 a.m. and finish at Sapporo Station North Exit.
• A small-to-medium group: The tour accepts a maximum of 27 people, large enough for a social outing but not a private tour.
• Good value for a winter day trip: The $155 price includes transport, guide, lunch, admission, fuel surcharge, and gratuities.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or full refund, and the tour also requires a minimum number of participants.

Why Lake Shikotsu Makes a Strong Winter Day Trip

Lake Shikotsu is the reason to choose this outing. In winter, the ice festival creates a temporary world of frozen art, with sculptures in many sizes and ice lanterns that add a softer glow to the hard, blue-white setting.

The festival is not simply a row of decorations. The supplied details describe areas covered in ice, along with scenes that can feel unlike anything you have seen before. You might find yourself looking at a frozen surface one moment, then turning toward an elaborate sculpture or lantern installation the next.

That variety gives the stop its appeal. You are not only taking photographs of one large centerpiece. You are walking through a seasonal display where the ice itself becomes part of the setting.

The tour gives you about 1 hour and 30 minutes at the festival. That is enough time to get a clear taste of the event and see the main displays, but it is not an open-ended visit. If you like to stop at every sculpture, browse local food, and take plenty of photographs, you will need to keep an eye on the clock.

One useful detail is that the admission ticket is included. In a cold-weather setting, that saves both time and fuss. You can focus on getting inside, finding the displays, and staying warm rather than handling another payment.

What to Expect Among the Ice Sculptures

The festival’s appeal comes from scale and texture. Ice sculptures can be small and detailed or large enough to shape the way you move through the grounds. Ice lanterns bring a different mood, especially when compared with the larger forms.

You should dress for proper Hokkaido winter conditions. The provided information does not specify clothing rentals, heated areas, or the exact surfaces underfoot, so sensible winter clothing and footwear are important choices. You will be outdoors at a cold-weather festival before heading to the hot spring.

The public description also points to local food at the festival. Since lunch later takes place at Marukoma Ryokan, any food you buy at the festival would be an extra personal expense. That can work well if you want to sample a small local snack, but it is not necessary for the main meal included in the tour.

For photography, the 90-minute stop gives you a clear plan. First, get your bearings and locate the major ice displays. Then spend time with the lanterns and the areas covered in ice. Leave a few minutes for the meeting arrangement before returning to the vehicle.

This is also where the group size matters. With a maximum of 27 people, the outing is not intimate, but it is more manageable than a large coach operation. You will still need to follow the guide’s timing, particularly because the festival visit connects to lunch and onsen reservations.

Warming Up at Marukoma Onsen Ryokan

After the festival, the tour moves to Marukoma Onsen Ryokan, where two hours are reserved for lunch and onsen time. This change from frozen displays to hot spring bathing is the heart of the day.

The setting is described as secluded, which gives the second stop a quieter feel than the festival. The plan is not to rush straight back to Sapporo after seeing the ice. Instead, you have a proper pause to eat, warm up, and enjoy the ryokan’s onsen.

Lunch is included in the $155 price. That makes the stop easier to budget, since the main meal is covered before you leave Sapporo. Other personal spending is not included, so keep money available for anything beyond the included meal.

The two-hour allocation is useful because it allows more than a quick soak. You have time for lunch and bathing within the same stop, although the precise division depends on the day’s schedule. You should follow the guide’s instructions about when to return to the vehicle.

The onsen is likely to be the part you appreciate most after the outdoor festival, but the available information does not specify the bath style, water temperature, bathing hours, or changing-room arrangements. You should not book this tour expecting a particular type of bath unless the operator confirms it in advance.

Also remember that onsen bathing follows Japanese customs. The supplied tour details do not provide a full etiquette guide, so ask the English-speaking guide if you need help with the procedure. The important practical point is that this is a hot spring visit attached to lunch, not a long overnight ryokan stay.

The $155 Price: What You Are Really Paying For

At $155 per person, this is not the cheapest way to visit Lake Shikotsu. The value depends on how much you would otherwise spend arranging the day yourself and how much you value a fixed plan in winter.

The price includes:

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• English-speaking tour guide
• Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival admission
• Lunch
• Fuel surcharge
• Gratuities

That is a useful bundle. You are paying for transport from Sapporo, admission, a meal, and a guide in one booking. You also avoid the need to arrange separate transport to the festival and then continue to Marukoma Onsen.

The total outing lasts approximately 8 to 10 hours, even though the two listed stops account for about 3 hours and 30 minutes. The remaining time is used for travel, pickup, drop-off, and the movement between the two locations. This is normal for a day trip from Sapporo, but it is worth understanding before booking.

If you want maximum freedom, the fixed timetable may feel restrictive. If you want a winter day without navigating transport, timing, admission, and lunch on your own, the price is easier to justify.

Gratuities and the fuel surcharge are already included, which removes two common surprises. Personal purchases are not included, including any extra food or other spending during the day.

Starting at ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo

The day begins at 8:00 a.m. outside the ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo, at 1-chōme-2-9 Kita 3 Jōnishi in Chuo Ward. You should arrive early enough to identify the meeting point and be ready when the vehicle departs.

An early start is practical for a winter festival day trip. It gives the tour time to reach Lake Shikotsu, visit the festival, stop at the onsen, and return to Sapporo within the 8 to 10-hour window.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters in winter. You can leave bulky outer layers in the vehicle during the hot spring stop if the guide permits it, but do not assume the vehicle will function as a personal storage locker. Keep valuables with you and follow the guide’s directions.

The tour ends at Sapporo Station North Exit, near the station’s bicycle parking facility. This is convenient if you are staying elsewhere in Sapporo or continuing by train. The start and end points are different, so do not plan to leave luggage at the morning meeting point unless your hotel or the operator has separately confirmed storage.

Group Size, Guide Support, and Pace

The maximum group size is 27 people. That makes this a shared day tour rather than a private excursion. You will have a guide to help with the schedule and English communication, but the day will still run according to the group’s pace.

An English-speaking guide is especially useful when the day includes a festival entrance, a ryokan lunch, and onsen time. The guide can help keep the handoffs clear and reduce uncertainty, though the supplied information does not give the guide’s name or describe a particular guiding style.

The tour is listed as suitable for most people and near public transportation. That helps with reaching the meeting point in Sapporo, but it does not provide detailed information about mobility access at the festival, vehicle steps, winter walking surfaces, or the onsen facilities. If any of those points affect your decision, ask QHTravel before booking.

You should also be comfortable with a full day that includes an early start, road travel, cold outdoor time, and a scheduled return. The tour is not designed for choosing your own departure time or lingering at Lake Shikotsu until you are ready to leave.

Weather and Cancellation Details

This experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is a sensible condition for a winter outing where road and festival conditions can affect the day.

The tour also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

For your own cancellation, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.

The cut-off follows local time in Japan. If your plans are uncertain, do not wait until the last day to decide.

Who Will Get the Most From This Tour

I would recommend this day to you if you want two very different Hokkaido experiences in one organized outing: a striking winter festival and a Japanese hot spring visit.

It suits:

• First-time visitors to Sapporo who want a winter day outside the city
• People who prefer included transport and a set schedule
• Anyone interested in ice art, lanterns, and seasonal events
• Visitors who like the idea of warming up at an onsen after time outdoors
• Solo bookers, couples, friends, and families who can manage a full day
• People who want lunch and admission covered in advance

It may not suit you if you want a private guide, a slow photographic visit, or extensive free time at the festival. The 90-minute festival stop is focused, and the group must continue to Marukoma Onsen on schedule.

It is also not ideal if you dislike cold outdoor events or do not want to use an onsen. The festival is the first major part of the day, and the hot spring is the main reason the itinerary feels balanced rather than simply being a festival transfer.

Should You Book the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival Day Tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized winter day from Sapporo with the major costs handled in advance. The strongest feature is the pairing of Lake Shikotsu’s ice festival with lunch and a soak at Marukoma Onsen. The change from cold ice to hot spring water gives the day a clear rhythm.

Think twice if you need complete freedom or want several hours at the festival. You will have roughly 90 minutes among the sculptures and lanterns, followed by a scheduled two-hour stop at the ryokan.

For most visitors, the $155 price is reasonable when you count transport, guide service, lunch, admission, fuel surcharge, and gratuities. Just dress for winter, arrive early at the ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo, and remember that the tour ends at Sapporo Station North Exit rather than at the starting hotel.

FAQ

How long does the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival tour last?

The full experience lasts approximately 8 to 10 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:00 a.m.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is the ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo by IHG at 1-chōme-2-9 Kita 3 Jōnishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo.

Where does the tour end?

Drop-off is at Sapporo Station North Exit in Sapporo.

Is the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival admission included?

Yes. Admission to the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at Marukoma Onsen Ryokan is included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. The tour may also be canceled because of poor weather or insufficient participation, with another date or a full refund offered.