Given a few slabs of ice and 36 hours to complete the ice sculpture for a competition, many ice-carving enthusiasts and teams gather together to build their creative ice sculptures for the annual International Ice Sculpture Competition in Asahikawa. Given the time limit, all participants have to work in any weather condition outdoor which is the toughest challenge I think. The event takes place in Heiwadori Street which is the main street when you walk out of the Asahikawa station. It was a pleasant surprise to me the first time I saw the long strip of ice sculptures being built. Very fascinating to watch the sculptors using chainsaws, chisels, carving tools and gas lighters to create perfect curves, sharp edges and details of the sculpture. The creative works are very delicate! Check out the photos I took below. In 2016, the competition will be held at the same time as the Asahikawa Snow Festival. All ice sculptures have to built from February 6 to 7, then left for public display from February 8 to 11. If you come to Asashikawa for the festival and penguin…

The second largest winter festival in Japan, Asahikawa Winter Festival however always features the biggest snow stage in Japan every year. In 1994, the snow Korean Fortress has made to the book of the Guiness World Record as the world’s biggest snow construction. “Construction” is probably the right word. The transformer I saw the last time I visited was gigantic! It was indeed more a construction where you could walk up to the top and slide down. In addition, there are smaller snow sculptures, snow slides, a snow bar, food and drink stalls, and well as performance on the opening and finale of the winter festival. Locating at the Asahibashi bridge next to the Tokiwa park, the Asaihibashi Site is the main snow festival site for every one to enjoy. It is within walking distance from Asahikawa JR station (1 kilometer) or you may take a free shuttle bus that runs every 20 minutes or so between the station and the site during the winter festival. In 2016, the Winter Festival will be held from February 6 to 11, same period of time as the…

The second Snow Light Path in Otaru is the Temiya railway track about 10 minutes away from the canal site. The Temiya railway is one of the oldest railway laid in 1880 to transport coals for the development of Hokkaido. The train service was terminated in 1985, leaving the historical track an open space for memory. Every year, a snow tunnel will be will be built and many snow candles will be lit up along the old track, creating a snow light path that connects the past. This path is pretty dark with not much street light. And the candles are also put off manually by 9pm when everyone go home and enjoy the rest of the evening. So time yourself when you come visit this site and be careful when walking on the slippery path.