The magical kingdom of ice and snow in Hokkaido

With winter temperatures dropping to -30 degrees.^oHokkaido has always been one of the best places to experience winter. This is also why this magical ice village is open to visitors from December to March every year.

The elaborately sculpted ice village located right on the Tomamu ski slope is called The Ice Village, part of the Hoshino Resort Tomamu. This resort is one of the most popular in Hokkaido, situated on the southern, central slopes of Mount Tomamu.

Spanning over 3.2 hectares, the charming ice village comprises 11 dome-shaped ice huts and a church. To enter the village, visitors must descend via staircases carved from ice and snow.

The village has three main areas: an Ice Flower gallery, an Ice Sweet Café, and a shared Ice Workshop for hands-on activities. There's even an Ice Bar where visitors can enjoy cocktails and sake in glasses made of ice.

The most popular activity in this village is the tea party in a magical, enchanting setting, with ice tables and sweet fruits and pastries. If you want to be one of the lucky few to enjoy this special tea party, you can reserve a table on the resort's website starting January 1st, 2020.

It is precisely because of its romantic and magical atmosphere that the village is often chosen by many couples as a getaway and a place to enjoy Valentine's Day every year. In a quiet place amidst a snow-covered birch forest, couples sit on benches and are served Ice Petit Fours along with 10 different types of sweets such as macarons and chorus fritters - all presented on trays sculpted from ice. The sweet chocolates and ice cubes will never melt in this setting. Couples believe that their love will also be eternal.

Even more uniquely, with its exquisitely sculpted ice church, couples can register and celebrate their wedding right here. This is the most special feature that visitors will cherish in their lives and love stories.

The Ice Village - Hoshino Resorts Tomamu

• Open: December 20th to March 14th
• Time: 17:00 - 22:00
• Entrance fee: 500 Yen
• Web: www.snowtomamu.jp/winter/en/icevillage/
• Every day at 7:30 PM, the village will be treated to spectacular fireworks displays.

My Tong