Tobetsu, a little known Hokkaido town aiming for revitalization, has opened Japan's first hotel made of ice, with three guest rooms, a bar and a variety of attractions.

The Ice Hills Hotel, designed by 61-year-old Hidenobu Nakaya, owner of a Sapporo-based design company, opened earlier this month and will operate until March 15.

Tobetsu, which is in the Ishikari district near Sapporo, gets a lot of snow, much of it brought by strong winds blowing through gaps between mountains stretching near Ishikari Bay. The town has a reputation for being bitterly cold.