Highlights
- Ice domes and towers built from frozen river water
- Multicolor nightly illumination
- Weekend winter fireworks over the gorge
Background & story
Held since 1976 along the Ishikari River below Sounkyo Onsen, the festival builds a sprawling field of ice structures and is a signature Hokkaido ice festival.
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- ~30 min by bus from JR Kamikawa Station; ~2 hrs from Asahikawa. Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Check tickets and details on the official page (button above).
- Paying
- The cooperation fee for 2027 (52nd edition) has not been announced as of 2026-09-18. For the 51st edition in 2026 it was ¥1,000, with the site open 17:00–21:30 on weekdays and 11:00–21:30 at weekends and on holidays (last entry 21:15).. Smaller venues in Japan are often cash-first — carry some yen (cards/IC not guaranteed).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, families
Good to know
The 52nd edition runs 23 January – 7 March 2027 (Sounkyo Tourist Association). Opening hours and the cooperation fee for 2027 are not yet published, so check the official page before you go. Combine it with the Sounkyo gorge cliffs and an onsen stay.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival 2027?
- 23 January to 7 March 2027 — the 52nd edition (Sounkyo Tourist Association official page, checked 2026-09-18).
- How much is the cooperation fee, and what are the hours?
- Neither has been announced for 2027 (checked 2026-09-18). For the 51st edition in 2026 the fee was ¥1,000 and the site opened 17:00–21:30 on weekdays, 11:00–21:30 at weekends and on holidays (last entry 21:15).
Getting there
Sounkyo Onsen riverside venue, Daisetsuzan National Park — Sounkyo, Kamikawa-cho, Hokkaido