Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Many people may have the mistaken impression from TV programs and pamphlets that drift ice is made up of small chunks of melting ice floating on the sea. In reality, drift ice is thick and large, nearly 50 cm thick, and covers the entire surface of the ocean, creating a spectacular view. Sometimes, there is a huge single piece of ice that looks like a ground.

This drift ice, after being born near the mouth of the Amur River in Russia, traveled 1,000 km and drifted to the northeast of Hokkaido and various places along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. Shiretoko, Abashiri, and Monbetsu are especially known for their drift ice. Activities such as icebreaker boats and drift ice walks can be enjoyed in these areas, and drift ice can also be observed from observation platforms. You can enjoy the dynamic sight just by watching from the shore, but actually seeing the drift ice up close and playing on it will give you a moving experience of the power of nature.

Although it varies from year to year, drift ice can be seen from the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk around early January, and the best time to view it is from early February to early March. It is a precious natural phenomenon that can only be seen during a limited period, so please check the information in advance and adjust your schedule accordingly.

The most famous and popular way to enjoy drift ice is the icebreaker! Why don't you jump out into the ocean and experience drift ice?

An icebreaker is not just a boat that goes through drift ice. It's literally an icebreaker that breaks through huge ice. Here we introduce the two icebreakers "Aurora" and "Garinco" that can be boarded in Hokkaido.

Breaking the ice by body contact! “Aurora” (from and to Abashiri)

The drift ice sightseeing icebreaker Aurora is a large, powerful ship with a capacity of 450 passengers. The ship's large, propulsive hull rides on top of the ice, and its nearly 500-ton weight breaks the ice as it goes. This method is also used on Antarctic observation ships.

The icebreaker's dynamic progress is very powerful! When the ice floes hit the bottom of the ship and break, a heavy bass sound is heard, and the vibration is transmitted to the ship. The broken ice floats along the ship's bottom and on the side of the ship. The side deck on the first floor is the best place to get a close-up look at this powerful scene. It is also recommended that you take good winter protection and enjoy the view from the observation deck on the top floor.

In 2023, a new small sightseeing ship, “Aurora 3,” will be in operation. Visitors can enjoy a new experience of underwater drone to capture real-time images of ice floes from under the sea and display them on the ship's monitor.

The drill that breaks the ice is full of power! "Garinco" (Arrival and Arrival by Monbetsu)

The Garinco's biggest feature is the two drills attached to the front of the hull, which are used to break the ice. In the vicinity of the bow of the special class seat, you can enjoy the sound and the way the drill breaks the drift ice, as the name suggests.

The Garinco was originally developed for the development of oil fields in Alaska. Monbetsu City took over the experimental ship that finished its role and was reborn as the first ice-flowing sightseeing ship, the Garinco. "The "Garinco III IMERU" has been in service since 2021, which has evolved further and has greatly increased its speed.

The power of breaking ice dynamically and the mysterious blue seen between the broken ice are very attractive. I also recommend Sunrise Cruise and Sunset Cruise, which have beautiful collaboration between the sun and the horizon. You can experience breathtakingly beautiful moments of emotion.

The “drift ice walk,” popular in Abashiri City and Shari Town, is a dreamlike activity that allows visitors to walk on drift ice. Accompanied by a skilled guide, you can safely enjoy riding on the drift ice. Riding on the drift ice on your own without a guide is extremely dangerous and should never be done.

The appeal of the drift ice walk is that you can experience the drift ice, including getting into the water, wearing a dry suit. The dry suit also has buoyancy, so even those who cannot swim can enjoy it. As you float along with the ice, you may be able to spot clione, the “angels of the drift ice.

After walking across the ice like stepping stones and getting a little tired, lie down on the ice floe and take a rest. If you close your eyes and listen carefully, you will hear a sound like an animal's “gee,” which is the sound of ice floes colliding with each other. This sound is called “drift ice squeal,” which is made when drift ice collides with each other. You may be able to notice this sound only on the drift ice walk, where you can experience drift ice up close and personal.

Drift ice contains abundant nutrients such as plankton. Many fish gather for their nutrition, and seals aiming for them, giant eagles and white-tailed eagles, which are natural monuments, appear, and a food chain occurs around drift ice.

From the icebreaker, you will also have a chance to see precious creatures resting on drift ice after hunting. You can learn about the creatures that live in drift ice and the role that drift ice plays in various facilities.