"Splash ice," formed at the water's edge during the harsh winter season, is seen at Lake Shikotsu in Chitose, Hokkaido, on Jan. 15, 2025. (Mainichi/Taichi Kaizuka) =Click/tap photo for more images ...

Our stage this time is Lake Shikotsu, located about an hour's drive from Hokkaido Prefecture's capital city of Sapporo with a population of over 1.9 million.