Ride the SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen steam train through Hokkaido’s snowy wilderness. From spotting red-crowned cranes to tasting Shibecha’s famous dairy, this scenic winter journey is a must for train and nature lovers alike.

Abashiri is home to the southernmost drift ice in the world. I travelled here to see the famous ice on the Sea of Okhotsk. Sailing through the floating ice at sunset was an unforgettable moment — the orange glow over the frozen sea made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.