Enjoy the experience of walking on drift ice Shiretoko and Abashiri Trip
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Days required
- 3 days and 2 nights
- Main methods of transportation
- bus, hire car
[3 days/2 nights] Enjoy the experience of walking on drift ice in the World Natural Heritage Site of Shiretoko. Afterwards, we recommend taking a hot spring bath in Utoro Onsenkyo to warm up your body. This is a model course that allows you to take pictures at the cape where you can view the beautiful sunset and also enjoy the seafood of Okhotsk.
*This information is current as of December 2023.
- * The spots and experience menus introduced in the course are subject to change. Please check the official website for the latest information.
- * Please note that the text shown on this page includes machine translations.
Memanbetsu Airport
Depart from here!
From Memanbetsu Airport, take the Shiretoko Airport Liner, a direct airport bus to Shiretoko. It is convenient as it goes round to each hotel in Utoro Onsen.
- Telephone Number
- Shiretoko Airport Liner (winter timetable) / Shari Bus: 0152-23-0766 / Abashiri Bus: 0152-43-4101
Utoro Onsen
Popular Hot Spring Destinations in Shiretoko
Utoro Onsen is a popular hot spring resort that serves as a base for sightseeing in Shiretoko. It attracts many visitors from Japan and abroad. The Shiretoko Peninsula is rich in high-quality hot springs. Visitors can also enjoy cuisine using fresh seafood from the Sea of Okhotsk and locally grown ingredients.
- Address
- Utoro, Shari-cho
- Telephone Number
- 0152-22-2125
Drift Ice Experience
A valuable experience that can be enjoyed only in Okhotsk
Wearing a protective suit with excellent heat insulation, you and your guide will depart for the drift ice field. You can walk on the drift ice, float on the sea with the drift ice, and enjoy other precious experiences. The sea is white with drift ice and the mountains are white with snow. Only here in Okhotsk can you enjoy the pure white scenery.
- Open
- Period: Early Feb. to late Mar.
(*Period and time required may vary depending on the conditions of the drift ice on shore.)
The scenery of drift ice filling the horizon is impressive!
- Drift Ice Walk® (Shinra / Shiretoko Nature Guided Tours Co.)
- Drift Ice WalkⓇ
TEL：0152-22-5522
(Telephone reception hours: 9:00-19:00)
Departure point: Meet at the site (187-8 Utoro Nishi, Shari-cho)
Departure time: (1) 6:30, (2) 9:30, (3) 13:00, (4) 15:30
Time required: about 1 hr. 30 min. - https://shinrashiretoko.wixsite.com/shinra
- Drift Ice Walk (Gojiraiwa Kanko Utoro Office)
- TEL：0152-24-3231
Departure point: 51 Utoro Higashi, Shari-cho
(Gojiraiwa Kanko Utoro Office)
Departure times: (1) 10:00, (2) 13:30, (3) 15:30
Time required: 20-30 minutes to change clothes before departure, about 1 hour for the walking tour - https://kamuiwakka.jp/
On a walk at sea, you can feel the ice floes up close and hear the sound of them crunching together. Wild animals such as Steller's sea eagles can sometimes be seen. On clear days, you can see beautiful sunsets from the ice floes. Special suits provide excellent heat retention and buoyancy, so there is no need to worry.
Roadside Rest Area "Utoro/Shirietoku"
For lunch, we recommend the restaurant at the roadside rest area.
Kaisen-don (seafood rice bowl) and grilled fish set menus using freshly caught ingredients purchased from local fresh fish stores are recommended. At the take-out corner, original soft-serve ice cream and venison burgers are available. Local specialties are sold at the store. A tourist information center is also located next door.
- Address
- 186-8 Utoro Nishi, Shari-cho
- Telephone Number
- 0152-22-5000
- Open
- 9:00-17:00 (other than below)
9:00-18:00 (29/4-4/5, 17/7-30/9) - Closed
- The New Year's holiday (12/29-1/3)
About 5 minutes on foot
After a break at your accommodation
＜From Utoro Onsen＞
About 10 minutes by car
Cape Puyuni (famous for its sunset)
This is a photo spot where you can take pictures of beautiful sunsets and spectacular views of the drift ice field!
Cape Puyuni is a famous place for sunsets. It is located uphill on the way from Utoro to Shiretoko National Park Nature Center. In winter, it is the first place in the Sea of Okhotsk where drift ice can be seen. From the cape, you can see the beautiful coastline and Utoro Harbor. The mountains of Akan-Mashu National Park can also be seen in the distance, providing a spectacular view.
- Address
- Shari-cho, Shari-gun
- Telephone Number
- 0152-22-2125 (Shiretoko Shari-cho Tourist Association)
[Accommodation] Utoro Hot Spring
About 2 hours by Shiretoko Airport Liner
Arrive at Abashiri Station, just a short walk away
Restaurant Arcadia
A casual restaurant recommended for lunch
This restaurant is located near Abashiri Station. The Western-style menu using ingredients from Hokkaido and seafood from Abashiri is popular. You can enjoy pasta, risotto, and meals using seasonal ingredients. There is also an extensive menu of sweets such as parfaits and ice cream.
- Address
- 2-3-1 Shinmachi, Abashiri
- Telephone Number
- 0152-44-2152
- Open
- 11:00-21:00
- Closed
- Tuesdays (open on holidays)
About 10 minutes by bus (get off at the bus stop “Abashiri Prison Museum”)
Abashiri Prison Museum
Museum where the former buildings of Abashiri Prison are preserved.
Visitors can tour the former buildings of Abashiri Prison, famous as the northernmost prison in Japan. Visitors can also take a guided tour and experience simulated hard labor. You can also eat "prison food," which is a reproduction of an actual prison lunch. At the museum store, you can buy original goods. They are also recommended as souvenirs.
- Address
- 1-1 Aza Yobito, Abashiri
- Telephone Number
- 0152-45-2411
- Open
- 9:00-17:00 (Last admission 1 hour before closing)
- Closed
- Closed: 31/12・1/1
About 10 minutes by bus
＜From JR Abashiri Station to Memanbetsu Airport＞
About 30 minutes by bus
