Icicle season has started near Tokyo

In Saitama Prefecture, which is the prefecture beside Tokyo, there are three famous icicle locations. Each year the icicles are open to the public from around the public holiday weekend in January (this weekend) until around the public holiday weekend in February. The icicles are also lit up at night on select dates.

Of the three, Ashigakubo Icicles is the best known. It is also the 'youngest' of the three. The icicles were opened to the public for the 2025 season yesterday, Thursday January 9th. And from tonight, January 10th, the icicles will be lit up four nights a week: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. There is a cover charge of 500 yen for anyone over 12 years old. The viewing period is until public holiday Monday 24th of February, all things equal.

Misotsuchi icicles are also open now. They opened today, Friday January 10th 2025. This year they are currently planning to light them up every night from tomorrow night, January 11th. They are lit up until 7 pm on weekdays and until 8 pm on weekends (Saturday / Sunday) and public holidays until February 24th. There is a 300 yen cover charge for adults and 200 yen for children.

The third of the icicle sites is Onouchi icicles, pictured in the featured photo. They will open on Sunday, January 12th 2025. However, they will not start the light up until later in the season: from Saturday January 25th. Also, they will only be turning the lights on until Sunday February 9th 2025. But the icicles will be open during the day until the end of February. There is a cover charge of 500 yen for adults and children over the age of 15. More information in English.

Have you been to see icicles in Japan? Have you been to these ones in Saitama Prefecture? What were your impressions?