Mesmerizing ‘Ice Hotel’ Opens in Japan for Winter

A hotel literally made of ice in northern Japan is now accepting reservations.

Enter the “Ice Hotel,” a frozen complex of domes, relaxation space and outdoor bath in Shimukappu, Hokkaido prefecture.

The hotel is located at the end of the “Ice Village” in Hoshino Resort Tomamu, where temperatures drop to as low as -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit) in the months of January and February.

The domes, which function as guestrooms, measure 17 meters across, and everything inside is made of ice.

It’s all ice from the ceiling to the wall to the furniture, including the guests’ beds.

The hotel’s relaxation space, which again is made of ice, functions as a lounge area where guests can sip on a variety of hot drinks.

Options include cinnamon, ginger, honey, lemon, milk, whiskey, and some other liquids, as well as about 50 recipe cards to help guests pick their perfect mixture.

Finally, the hotel comes with its own outdoor bath or rotenburo — which, you guessed it, is built with ice — where guests can enjoy a hot dip.

Guests need not worry about literally chilling with all the ice as the hotel provides extra-warm sleeping bags and special winter wear after the outdoor bath.

Unfortunately, the Ice Hotel and its ethereal, transcendent feel will only last for as long as it’s winter in Hokkaido.

Guests planning to sleep in the domes can check-in between Jan. 19 and Feb. 28 for 23,000 yen (about $205) a night. However, prospective visitors can already make reservations here.

The Ice Village pre-opens on Dec. 10 and will remain in operation until Mar. 14, 2019. Visitors can enter from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for 500 yen (about $5).

Images via Hoshino Resort Tomamu

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