The Non-Freezing Lake and the Art of Ice: A Winter Record of Lake Shikotsu
Discover the crystalline blue of Hokkaido’s hidden gem
Hokkaidō, the northernmost part of Japan. In this land of extreme cold, did you know there is a lake that never freezes?
支笏湖 (Shikotsuko) — Lake Shikotsu. This caldera lake, formed by volcanic activity approximately 32,000 years ago, boasts an extraordinary maximum depth of 363 meters. This depth is precisely why it remains unfrozen in winter. The vast amount of heat stored during summer continues to convect from the deep bottom even when touched by the winter chill, keeping the water’s surface in motion. This dynamic circulation makes Lake Shikotsu the northernmost 不凍湖 (Futoko) — non-freezing lake in Japan.
Recorded as having the best water quality in Japan a total of 20 times by the Ministry of the Environment, this lake reveals different shades of “blue” throughout the seasons. The lingering snow of spring, the transparent depths of summer, and the autumn migration of landlocked salmon. However, it is only in winter that this transparent water appears before us with a tangible “form.”
Hyoto: Formations “Raised” by Artisans and Nature
The 氷濤まつり (Hyoto Matsuri) — Ice Festival, which began in 1979, is an attempt to visualize the purity of Lake Shikotsu’s water. The massive ice towers seen here are not carved out of ice blocks. Instead, they are “raised” little by little by continuously spraying lake water onto frames using sprinklers 24 hours a day.
By freezing slowly over time, the slight impurities in the water are pushed outward, forming crystal-like layers. When these pure blocks of ice allow sunlight to pass through, they absorb the long wavelengths of red light and reflect only the blue light. This is the true nature of 支笏湖ブルー (Shikotsuko Blue), which contains no artificial coloring whatsoever.
Overwhelming Architectural Structures of Ice
Upon entering the venue, the first thing that captures your gaze is the Blue Tower, reaching a height of approximately 13 meters. This massive pillar of ice soaring toward the sky stands as a symbolic testament to the profound depth and power of Lake Shikotsu’s water.
