Illuminated icicles in Chichibu, Japan

© JTB Photo/UIG/age fotostoc

A work of frozen art. The Icicles of Misotsuchi

The Japanese city of Chichibu attracts many visitors during the winter by capitalising on the cold temperatures that bring unusually large icicles to the terraced banks of the Arakawa River. The attraction, called ‘Misotsuchi no Tsurara’ (the Icicles of Misotsuchi), is only open from mid-January through mid-February and includes coloured lights after dark to enhance the otherworldly feel of the scene. Since much of Chichibu sits in or near the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, there’s abundant nature to see after you’ve witnessed the illuminated icicles on the Arakawa’s banks.