After passing the Ice Tunnel, the “Sea of Light” with twinkling ice candles suddenly appeared. It was a new space added in the Ice Village from this season. At the end of the stairs through the center of the “Sea of Light”, a mystical blue dome between ice poles Ice Chapel was solemnly standing.

© Tomamu

The surprise feeling after people go through the tunnel is larger because it is located in the low place hidden from Ice village center part. A couple in front of me, going through the “Sea of Light” towards the Ice Chapel seemed to be in a movie scene.

© Tomamu

You might already know that Alpha Resort Tomamu has a Water Chapel designed by a worldwide architect Tadao Ando, and weddings are held all the year round at this beautiful and novel space with nature. This Ice Chapel in Ice Village is the limited version only in winter season but weddings can be held here too. As if the legend “Something Blue” (legend that the bride with something blue at the wedding will become happy) could be seen, inside the dome was filled with glittering ice blue.

That was not all. Ice Maze made me get lost with its ice walls where bright green lights were buried. Ice Hotel even had a bathtub with other details expressed by ice, and I could enjoy imagining actually sleeping here. There was also Hot Station that warmed a completely cold body. Moreover, you can try Dog Sled Night Cruising in the course that surrounds the Ice Village.

Fantasy space Ice village in which the feature of ice is made the best use of in various shape was a collaboration of wisdom, zeal, and nature to warm the severe cold temperatures with beauty. The smiles of the staff still working for the ice creations during the time of opening to the public were impressive. You can enjoy the clear world after this until the spring wind blows.

What space do you draw in a clear dome under this wintry sky? I felt the expectation for more and more new ideas to use the natural environment naturally. At the same time, it was a moment I sincerely wished that won’t happen, if we reach a future environment where this transparent Ice Village in Tomamu cannot exist.

Ice Village
Date: December 23rd, 2005 – Late in March, 2006 (unfixed)
Open: 17:00 – 22:00
Place: Alpha Resort Tomamu
Address: Tomamu, Shimukappu Village, Yuhutsugun, Hokkaido, Japan
Ticket: Adults 500 yen, Children 300 yen
https://www.snowtomamu.jp