Snow Caverns open

“Setsudo”, snow caverns, are artist Hirohiko Takenaka’s newest snow and ice creations. This unique snow art installation is open for exploration in Niseko Village from 2pm-7pm daily until the beginning of March.

Originally from Sapporo, Hirohiko came to Niseko seven years ago, and spent most of his winters outside observing the snow. This is where he found inspiration for his snow cavern projects. He strives year after year to create a place where visitors from around the world can come and enjoy a winter wonderland. Hiro works without a design – he builds from inspiration found while watching the Niseko landscape and snow.

If you have the opportunity to explore the snow caverns built by Takenaka-san, and you wonder where he gets his ideas to make such a creation, remember this:

Hiro grew up in a very different world compared to most. At the age of five his dad introduced him to Newton’s Law, and asked Hiro to think about how the apple already fell and gravity existed before Newton saw it. He just happened to be the first person to notice. His dad asked him to be attentive and also “notice” things.

Hiro was told to look out into nature and think about how many things exist out there, like Newton’s Apple, that no one has noticed yet. Hiro’s dad told him to think of a question that represents his observation, and to ask him that question when he’s ready.

Five years of observing and thinking later, Hiro finally thought of the question. “Where does the sky begin?” He asked his dad. “Does it begin up there? Or does it begin just above my head? What if I’m standing on a mountain?

“Well, that’s simple,” answered his dad. “If you are breathing and you’re above ground, you are in the sky.”

Ever since his dad answered his question, Hiro has been living in a world where cars drive in the sky, and instead of the sky being up there, it’s everywhere. You can come and find it in Setsudo!