Winter Traditions in Japan: outdoor ice skating

You can enjoy ice skating in Japan all year round in the indoor ice rinks. Most prefectures have at least one indoor ice skating rink. However, in winter, what many people like to do is skate outdoors. There are manmade, and occasionally, natural ice rinks available exclusively in winter in many parts of Japan.

Perhaps the most famous outdoor ice rink is the "Art Rink". "Art Rink" is an outdoor ice skate rink in the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. Unfortunately it was not around when I lived in Yokohama in 2001. But it is one of the oldest in the Kanto region, that still operates in 2025. This year it actually celebrates 20 years, as it started in the winter of 2005. During winter break it does open daily, but from now it is only open on weekends and public holidays, until February 16th 2025. 

In Tokyo, Tokyo Midtown's "Kose" Ice Skating rink is also very popular. It is the largest in the Tokyo area. This year, 2025, it will open until February 24th. It is particularly popular at night when the rink is lit up and the lights of the surrounding skyscrapers create a beautiful nightscape. It is open daily except for New Year's Day. If you are planning to go, make sure you bring gloves. They request that all users wear gloves.

In Saitama Prefecture, where I live, we lost several of our seasonal outdoor rinks during the pandemic. And unfortunately they are not coming back. However, the one remaining seasonal outdoor rink, pictured at the top of the post, is one that is completely natural. Due to its remote location though, it is very difficult to get to by public transport. 

Have you been ice-skating this year? Have you ever been to a natural ice rink? Or to the "Art Rink" or "Kose Midtown Ice rink"?