Because of the drift ice, regular boats like cruisers or fishing boats are unable to leave port. However, if you’re aboard “Garinko-go II”, you can simply smash through the ice with your drill and enjoy a 1-hour cruise (45 minutes when there’s no ice). The sight of the crushed drift ice dispersing along the side of the cruise is impactful indeed.

The drift ice cruise lass from 10th January till the end of March and is available on a reservation-basis only, at least one day in advance (while booking through mail or fax is recommended, those booking for the very next day are advised to call instead). In February, the peak season, sunset cruises in the evening as well as weekend/holiday-limited sunrise cruises are in operation. A must for your Hokkaido bucket list.

At the tip of Monbetsu Harbor Breakwater No. 3 lies the Okhotsk Tower, spanning 38.5m above sea level and 7.5 meters below, and is the world’s first observation tower within icy waters. The viewing platform on the third-floor commands a panoramic 360-degree view of the area, where you can enjoy the sights of the drift ice all around.

The underwater floor features 2 observation windows, one 2 meters in height and the other 1 meter in height, where you can gaze at ocean view below the drift ice, as well as a mini exhibition featuring Okhotsk’s marine life.

Adjacent to the tower is “Azarashi land”, where you get to see over 20 seals playing around (200-yen for adults, 100-yen for grade schoolers to high schoolers), as well as “Azarashi Paradise” where you can feed and touch the seals (500-yen for adults, 300-yen for grade schoolers to high schoolers).

Rather than a flowing river, the Furepe Waterfall in the Shiretoko Peninsula is a torrent of underground water from the area’s mountain range gushing forth from a 100-meter-tall cliff. Due to the lack of water, it freezes slowly in winter. In addition, the drift ice rushes to just below the cliffs of the waterfall, resulting in a uniquely picturesque scenery of ice.

The 2-kilometer-long promenade of the Furepe Waterfalls is also accessible, blanketed in snow.

The Shiretoko Nature Center located at the entrance of the promenade also offers long socks and snow snowshoe rental services at a price. Due to the snow a round trip across the promenade and back would likely take about an hour, so do prepare some warm and easy to move around clothes like ski wear.

Take the JR Senmo Main Line from Abashiri and you’ll arrive here in 15 minutes.

Kitahama Station, which stands about 20 meters from the sea, is loved for its atmospheric location and its wooden exterior and has been a regular choice to visit by tourists for some time.

Inside the station building, business cards left by visitors decorate the walls. Beside the station, an observatory boasting a view of the Shiretoko Mountain Range behind the drift ice is also present. In addition, the snack / café “Teishajou” at the station serves hot drinks and authentic Western food.

In the early mornings, you can experience flying through the sky in a hot air balloon at Kiyosato-cho, which stretches across the base of the Shiretoko Peninsula. When the weather is fine, sights like Mt. Shari, the Shiretoko Peninsula and the Sea of Okhotsk covered with drift ice are visible.

The service begins operations from January 11 to March 22, and you can make reservations at the Shiretoko Tourist website or contact number.

The drift ice peaks in February, the coldest month of the year. The average temperature is -6.0° C in Abashiri and -5.9°C in Monbetsu (from the JMA average).

Prepare clothing that provides ample warmth like ski wear or heavyweight down jackets, while choosing appropriately according to the activity you plan on participating in. A Hokkaido bucket list experience beyond belief (and the cold) await you here.

Text by: Minanokotoba Sha