Hokkaido is one of the best places to visit in Japan during winter. The entire place turns into a winter wonderland covered in snow, with countless activities to boot. Do your itinerary justice and make room for the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival. Held within Shikotsu-Toya National Park (just 40-minutes away by car from Sapporo city), the festival turns the whole lake into a magical frozen fairytale kingdom with beautiful ice sculptures. They’re made by spraying the lake’s water through sprinklers, and populate the the lake, making it look like a scene right out of Frozen (without Elsa and the gang of course). In the day, these sculptures glisten naturally blue in the sun because the lake’s water is apparently the clearest and purest in Japan. But at night, they’re illuminated in bright colours. Pro-tip: go on the weekends where you’ll be privy to a spectacular fireworks display and Wadaiko drum performances.