From early January to late February every year, icicles and other interesting shapes appear in Yokoze, Saitama. On Fridays, weekends, and holidays, the area will also be lit up, creating an eerily beautiful frozen wonderland.
Tickets
Reservations are required if you are driving on the weekends and holidays, but otherwise, you’ll receive a numbered ticket outside of Ashigakubo Station.
Tickets for the illumination event cost ¥500 for adults and ¥400 for elementary school children. If you go in the daytime, black tea and amazake (fermented rice drink) will be distributed until 4 p.m.
How to get there
The icicles and illuminations are a 10-minute walk from Ashigakubo Station. From Ikebukuro Station, take the Seibu-Ikebukuro Line to Hanno Station and transfer to the Seibu-Chichibu Line. It takes around 1 hour and 25 minutes. You can see the icicles on the train as you approach the station.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.