Genghis Khan, the local name for a delectable lamb barbecue dish, is an iconic Hokkaido staple. The hot barbecued meat is perfect for the cold Hokkaido weather!
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When is the Tomakomai Ice Skating Festival
The Tomakomai Ice Skating Festival will be held on the following dates.
| Festival Date | Time |
|---|---|
|
February 4th, 5th 2023 |
10:00 - 18:00 |
What is the Tomakomai Ice Skating Festival?
The Tomakomai Ice Skating Festival is the event that best represents the small, ice skating town of Tomakomai.
There are various activies to participate in, the most popular among them being bobsledding and the ‘Jumbo Slide’. there are also performances held on a main event stage.
Don’t forget the most popular attraction of all: Genghis Khan! Genghis Khan is a specialty Hokkaido lamb barbeque dish, and there is no better way to enjoy than in the midst of the extreme Hokkaido cold!
There are also other miscellaneous events like a ‘winter quiz’ where participants must answer questions relating to winter in japan, and a lottery where participants can win various prizes.
Fun Things to do and See
①The Renowned ‘Shibare-Yaki’
The ‘Shibare-Yaki’ is a traditional way of cooking Genghis Khan in which lamb meat is prepared and cooked upon a repurposed metal drum can.
The ‘Shibare-Yaki’ style of cooking has been employed since the first Tomakomai Ice Skating Festival, and has since become a core aspect of the Festival due to its popularity.
As the name suggests, the meat is grilled and eaten in the freezing cold, and the taste of the meat is exceptional!
â‘¡Outdoor Activities
There are a number of outdoor activities at the Tomakomai Ice Skating Festival, the most popular of which are probably bobsledding and the ‘Jumbo Slide’.
Anyone can participate free of charge.
There are also other events such as ice skating and ice hockey tournaments!
Things to Know Before Going
â‘ Dress Appropriately!
Winter in Hokkaido is extremely cold, and the average temperature is below freezing. A thick coat, down jacket, hat, ear muffs, and gloves are a must. Please also wear warm underwear to protect yourself from the cold.
â‘¡Entry Fees
Entry is free of charge.
â‘¢Official Website
You can check out the official website here.
How to get There
The Tomakomai Skating Festival is held at Wakakusa Central Park. It is a 10 minutes walk from JR Tomakomai Station. The parking lot on the east side of Tomakomai City Hall is open to the public free of charge, but it is recommended that you take the train to JR Tomakomai Station and then walk there, as the number of spaces is limited and congestion is expected.
Thanks for Reading
Come and enjoy Genghis Khan, the delicious Hokkaido lamb barbeque specialty!
Various other unique Hokkaido events will be held in the surrounding area. See below if you want to add any destinatios to your trip!
