This last weekend I was able to visit the Ice Kotan at lake Shikaribetsu with two other ALTs. Each year, a kotan (village) of ice and snow is constructed on top of the frozen lake, and stays open for two months. The word kotan comes from the Ainu – the indigenous peoples of Hokkaido, and part of Russia. The Ice Kotan is a popular tourist destination in Hokkaido during the winter.
The main attractions at the ice village include the ice café, snowmobile rides, and the onsen (hot spring). As winter has been very warm this year, fewer buildings than usual have been constructed.
The ice café/ice bar sold an array of hot and cold beverages, with the option of it being served in an ice glass. You could also try your hand at ice carving, and chisel out your own glass for $12. Although it would’ve been cool to use an ice glass, my fingers were already in the process of becoming icicles, so paper cup coffee it was.
Upon seeing my friend’s Vancouver 2010 gloves, the bartender asked if she was from Canada – and then if she was from Stony Plain. I am still surprised when I hear people talking about Stony Plain all the way in Japan!
In a separate room of the café building, there was a small theatre where live music plays on the weekends. Among the seats were two bears, and a mouse.
Snowmobile rides around a portion of the lake were offered for $12 to $24 depending on if you chose to go with a guide, or solo. For all you snowmobile enthusiasts out there, like my dad, they were Yamahas!
For the very brave, you could strip down and partake in the semi-public onsen, which is attached to an ice building on the lake. There was also a foot bath option, but we decided against trying it, as no one was particularly interested in cold, wet socks later on.
Other activities included looking through the ice lens, checking the thickness of the ice, and losing circulation to your toes. Overall, it was very cold, but very enjoyable!
Stony Plain in Shikaoi 