Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Many people may misunderstand the image of drift ice as a collection of small chunks of 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, a single piece of ice as large as the ground will drift by.

This drift ice comes from the mouth of the Amur River in Russia and travels as far as 1,000 km to Hokkaido. Shiretoko, Abashiri, and Monbetsu are famous for 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 along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk around early January, and the best time to see it is from early February to early March. It is a precious natural phenomenon that lasts only for a limited period of time, so please check information in advance and adjust your schedule accordingly.

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

The icebreaker is not just a ship that plows through the ice floes, it is an icebreaker, which literally means a ship that breaks through huge blocks of ice. Here we introduce two types of icebreakers available in Hokkaido: the Orora and the Garinko-go.

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

The “Drift Ice Sightseeing Icebreaker Orola” is a powerful, large ship with a capacity of 450 passengers. The large, propulsive hull of the ship rides on the ice, and the ship's weight of nearly 500 tons crushes the ice as it goes. This is the same style as that of 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 of “thud thud thud thud” is heard, and the vibration is transmitted to the ship. The side deck on the first floor is the best place to get a close-up look at the powerful sight of the broken drift ice floating along the ship's bottom and on the side of the ship. It is also recommended that you take good winter protection and enjoy the view from the observation deck on the top floor.

The small sightseeing boat Orora 3, which will be in operation in 2023, is attractive for its small size and speed. Equipped with a drone that can take underwater photographs, passengers can also enjoy watching ice floes and other creatures in the sea on monitors installed in the passenger seats.

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

The most distinctive feature of the Garinko is the two drills attached to the front of the hull! These drills are used to break up the ice as the ship moves forward. Visitors can enjoy the sound and sight of the drills breaking up the ice floes from their special seats near the bow.

The Garinko was originally an experimental ship developed for oil field development in Alaska. In 2021, the “Garinko-go III IMERU,” a larger and faster ship, will enter service.

The dynamic breaking of the ice and the mysterious blue color seen through the ice are fascinating! We also recommend the “Sunrise Cruise” and “Sunset Cruise,” which offer a beautiful collaboration between the sun and the horizon. You can experience breathtakingly beautiful and moving moments.

Popular in Abashiri City and Shari Town, the “drift ice walk” is a dreamlike activity where you can safely walk on drift ice accompanied by a skilled guide. The appeal of the drift ice walk is that you can experience the drift ice, including getting into the sea, and the dry suit you wear is buoyant, so even those who cannot swim can enjoy it. Floating with the ice, you may be able to spot clione, the “angels of the ice floes.

After walking across the ice like stepping stones and getting a little tired, lie down on the ice floe and take a break. If you close your eyes and listen carefully, you will hear a “gurgling” sound. This sound is called “drift ice squeal” 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.

It is extremely dangerous to ride on drift ice without a guide. To walk on drift ice, join a tour accompanied by a skilled guide.

Ice floes contain plankton and other rich nutrients. Many fish gather to feed on these nutrients, and seals, Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed sea eagles, which are designated natural treasures, appear to feed on them, creating an active food chain around the ice floes.

From the icebreaker, visitors have a chance to see precious creatures resting on the ice floes after a long day of hunting. You can learn about the creatures that live on the ice floes and the role they play in the ice floes at facilities around the country.