Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing - Hokkaido, Japan
I knew I had to see the drift ice as soon as I learned about it. Abashiri sits at 44° north latitude, and the shores of the Okhotsk Sea are the southernmost point where the ocean freezes. As the name suggests, this is a winter-only experience.
I wanted to see the sunset with the drift ice, so I made a reservation in advance for the last sailing. You can buy a ticket directly at the counter, but if a large tour group shows up, you might not get a spot. I highly recommend booking ahead.
On the day of my cruise, I checked the company’s website to see if the sailing was cancelled due to lack of drift ice. I spent the morning exploring Abashiri’s historical sites before arriving at 3 p.m., relieved to see my sailing was still on and that the ice had appeared. I was especially glad since all the earlier cruises that day had been cancelled.
I picked up my ticket at the counter and waited in the waiting area. There are souvenir shops and a small food court, which helped pass the time before boarding.
The headwind was particularly strong, so once on board, I stayed inside the cabin as we headed toward the drift ice. You can actually walk on the ice if it’s thick enough, but that’s with a different ship and company. Due to global warming, the amount of solid ice has dropped significantly since the 1980s. On my trip, the ice wasn’t thick enough to walk on, but it was still a breathtaking sight.
I took countless photos and watched in awe as the ship moved through the ice. As the sun set, the warm orange glow reflecting off the water and ice made it a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Route Detail
Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing & Icebreaker Ship Aurora 網走流氷観光砕氷船おーろら
Time: 1h 00m
Route note: Only from Jan.20th to Mar.31st. Not guaranteed to see drift ice so they may cancel if there aren’t any out there.
Transportation & Miscellaneous
Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing & Icebreaker Ship ¥4000
Food ¥2250
