Enjoy Travel to Japan!
Home

Ashigakubo Icicles, Saitama – Spectacular Winter Light-Up Close to Tokyo

Ibaraki Tochigi Gunma Saitama Chiba Tokyo Kanagawa
Ashigakubo Icicles, Saitama – Spectacular Winter Light-Up Close to Tokyo
The Ashigakubo Icicles in Yokoze, Saitama are massive man-made ice formations that create a shimmering ice wall in mid-winter, with colorful illuminations at night. This guide explains the best viewing times and photo tips, event period and fees, how to combine the visit with other Chichibu sights, and step-by-step access from central Tokyo, plus what to wear for safe walking on snow and ice.

Highlights

Ashigakubo no Tsurara (Ashigakubo Icicles) Overview

Ashigakubo Icicles are man-made icicles that appear in winter in Yokoze, with an icy blue wall by day and illumination at night.

Ice Wall Scale

The ice wall reaches about 30 m high and about 200 m wide.

Illumination Atmosphere

Colorful lighting and projection effects can transform the area into an “ice palace” atmosphere.

Opening Hours and Illumination

The season is typically early Jan to late Feb. Opening hours vary by day (e.g., 9:00–19:30, final exit 20:00). Illumination is often held mainly Thu–Sun and holidays.

How to Get There

Ikebukuro Station → Ashigakubo Station (Ltd. Exp. Chichibu) about 1 hour 20 min; about a 10-minute walk from the station. By car, it’s about 1 hour from Hanazono IC.

Entrance Fee (Contribution)

Fees vary by date (typical: ¥600–¥800 for junior high and up / ¥400–¥500 for elementary; preschoolers free). Discounts may be offered with advance reservations or when arriving by train.

What to Wear and Nearby Stops

Warm layers and non-slip shoes are essential. It pairs well with Roadside Station Kajukoen Ashigakubo or Buko Onsen (about 10 minutes by car).

For the latest information, please refer to official announcements or check on site.

What Are the Ashigakubo Icicles?

Ashigakubo Icicles (Ashigakubo no Hyōchū) are one of the spectacular winter sightseeing spots in Yokoze Town, Chichibu District, Saitama Prefecture.

During the coldest season, icicles created on a mountainside appear and captivate visitors.

A defining feature is the dramatic scenery of icicles stretching across a wide slope.

The pale blue-white icicles are beautiful during the day, and at night they are illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere.

With good train access and only about a 10-minute walk from Seibu Chichibu Line Ashigakubo Station, this spot is a popular winter destination.


Ashigakubo Icicles Highlights

1. Dramatic Icicle Scenery on the Slope

The Ashigakubo Icicles are created by spraying water over the mountainside and letting it freeze.

The landscape covered in ice feels magical and is also popular as a photogenic spot.

Among the Chichibu Three Great Icicles, it is especially attractive because it is easy to reach from the station.

  • You can enjoy icicle scenery spread across the entire slope.
  • This is a beautiful spot where the clarity of the ice and reflections of light stand out.
  • The appearance changes depending on temperature and weather, so the impression varies by visit timing.

2. Magical Night Illumination Event

During the event period, illumination is held on Thursdays to Sundays and public holidays, offering a different atmosphere from the daytime.

The icicles are lit up and look like an ice palace.

  • Illumination days: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays during the event period
  • Illumination hours: Sunset-20:00 (from 17:00 in January, from 17:45 in February)
  • Admission fee: Daytime and Thu/Fri illumination: Junior high school students and older 600 yen / Elementary school students 400 yen; Sat/Sun/holiday illumination: Junior high school students and older 800 yen / Elementary school students 500 yen; Preschool children free

Event dates and operations may change depending on conditions, so checking the latest information before visiting is recommended.

Weekend and holiday illuminations can be crowded, so allowing extra time is a good idea.

3. Enjoy Nearby Spots Too

When visiting the Ashigakubo Icicles, it is also recommended to take a break at the nearby roadside station and enjoy winter scenery around the Chichibu area.


How to Get to the Ashigakubo Icicles

Access by Train (Recommended!)

  1. From the Ikebukuro area → Ashigakubo Station (Seibu Railway)
  2. About a 10-minute walk from Ashigakubo Station

Access by Car

  • Access via the National Route 299 area
  • Parking available
  • Roads may freeze in winter, so prepare winter tires or other winter driving gear.


Useful Travel Information for Visitors

What to Wear

It is very cold around the icicles, so warm clothing is essential.

  • Down jacket or thick coat
  • Gloves, scarf, and knit cap
  • Non-slip shoes (some areas in the venue are slippery, so shoes with good grip are recommended)

Estimated Visit Time

  • Allow about 30 minutes to 1 hour to explore the site.

Wi-Fi Information

  • There are few free Wi-Fi spots nearby, so downloading maps in advance is recommended.

Language Support

  • Simple English information signs are installed.


Summary

The Ashigakubo Icicles are a spectacular ice scenery spot that brightens winter in the Chichibu area.

Enjoy the powerful icicles in the daytime, and magical illuminated scenery at night.

With easy access from Ashigakubo Station in about a 10-minute walk, it is perfect for a short winter trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

A. The Ashigakubo Icicles are one of Chichibu's three major icicle spots, grown on a mountainside in Yokoze Town. They are especially easy to reach, just about a 10-minute walk from Ashigakubo Station. During the day, you can see pale blue-white layers of ice, while at night the color-changing illumination creates a different atmosphere.
A. The event is usually held from early January to late February. Opening hours are generally 9:00-16:30 from Monday to Wednesday, 9:00-20:00 on Thursday and Friday, and on weekends and public holidays there is usually a separate daytime and nighttime entry system. Since the schedule changes quite a lot by day of the week, it is easier if you decide in advance whether you want the daytime or nighttime view.
A. Daytime admission is 600 yen for junior high school students and older, and 400 yen for elementary school children. The illumination on Thursday and Friday is the same price. On weekends and public holidays, on-site purchase is 800 yen for junior high school students and older and 500 yen for elementary school children, but with advance booking or train use, the price drops to 600 yen and 400 yen, so deciding early can save money.
A. It is about a 10-minute walk from Ashigakubo Station on the Seibu Chichibu Line to the icicle venue. It is close to the station, but because people often start walking before they are fully prepared for the cold, it helps to sort out gloves and a neck warmer near the ticket gate before heading over.
A. In many years, the weekend and public holiday illumination requires advance booking, while on Thursday and Friday there are days when you can enter without a reservation. Weekend nights use a full day-night replacement system and tend to get crowded, so if you arrive late, the time you have for photos can feel short. It is reassuring to allow for time spent waiting in line too.
A. At this venue, you often look up at walls of ice from quite close range, so a standard focal range is often easier to use than an ultra-wide lens because it keeps distortion lower. Since the cold makes camera shake more likely, it is better to keep your arms tucked in and shoot quickly. That way, you are also less likely to block the flow of visitors.
A. A down jacket, gloves, a hat that covers your ears, and shoes with good grip will help a lot. Because it is close to the station, it is easy to underestimate the cold, but if there is a wait, your feet can get cold quickly. Disposable heat packs are often more effective in your shoes or at your waist than just in your hands.
A. On some days, there is a free shuttle to Yokoze Town's strawberry farms and to Buko Onsen. Since you can feel quite cold after viewing the icicles, adding a hot spring stop often makes the outing more satisfying. A route of daytime icicles, then strawberries, then a hot spring is also easy to manage for a family trip.

Nearby Recommended Spots

Check out recommended articles in this area

Read Next →
Kinchakuda Spider Lilies, Saitama – 5 Million Red Blooms Painting Autumn Fields
Trip

Kinchakuda Spider Lilies, Saitama – 5 Million Red Blooms Painting Autumn Fields

Kinchakuda in Hidaka, Saitama is a riverside park where around five million red spider lilies (higanbana) bloom in autumn, creating a breathtaking scarlet carpet. This guide explains what makes the fields special, the best time to visit and how to avoid crowds, other seasonal activities like cherry-blossom viewing and river play, how to combine the area with nearby Koma Shrine, and practical access and clothing tips for first-time visitors.

Saitama →
※ The article content is based on information at the time of writing and may differ from the current situation. In addition, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the published content, please understand.
Learn about Trip
Explore Saitama