Japan's Ice Hotel the coolest in the world

ESCAPE from Australia's sizzling summer heat to a place where you can chill out in style - a Japanese hotel made of ice. The Ice Village at Alpha Resort in Tomamu, Shimukappu, is an ideal spot for skiers and those looking for a picturesque and ice-cold location.

The hotel's dining room, bedroom and bathroom are made out of ice, with a room costing $1,375 for two per night, with dinner served on an ice plate.
But you’d better be quick - the hotel is open until February 15, after which it presumably melts away.
Shimukappu Village is one of the coldest areas in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan.
The temperature can drop to a low of minus 38 degrees Celsius between late January to early February.
The Ice Village opens at 5pm and visitors can check out the Ice Hotel, Ice Bar, Ice Glass Studio and Ice Link Cage, as well as enjoying activities such as dog sled night cruising and a hot-air balloon flight.