The Philosophy tree (Tetsugaki-no-Ki) is a poplar tree located in an open, wide farmland in Biei town, Hokkaido. Facing the Panorama road, the tree’s slanted stance resembles a person tilting its head to one side thinking about something.

Formed from the mouth of the Amur River, the drift ice floats into the Okhotsk Sea settling near the coast of Hokkaido. These floating ice floes can be best enjoyed in Monbetsu and Abashiri. Tourists can enjoy “ice breaking” with ships assigned in the two places. Based on my experience, right timing is needed to have the optimal experience in viewing the drift ice. Drift ice season in Hokkaido is from January to March, with February as its peak.

Located in Daisetsu National Park in the town of Shikaoi, Tokachi, the Lake Shikaribetsu is a lake in Hokkaido with the highest altitude measuring about 810 meters above sea level. It is also known as the “Lake of the Sky” since it is a great place to do stargazing at night. The whole lake is frozen in wintertime which allowed the construction of a kotan (Ainu word for village) of Eskimo-styled igloos called the Ice Village.

To celebrate the coming of the swans at the Tokachi river, a festival is held every year at the Tokachigawa in Otofuke from the end of January until the end of February. Otherwise known as Tokachigawa Swan Festival, it features a magical display of colorful lights blinking in tune with the music.

Considered as one of the largest and most distinctive winter event, the Sapporo Snow Festival is held annually for a week in February (usually during the 1st to 2nd week). There are 3 main sites of the festival: Odori Park where the large snow sculptures are displayed, Susukino with the ice sculptures and Tsudome with the giant snow slides.