Not just drift ice! A relaxing trip with a panoramic experience of Lake Mashu and hot springs by Lake Abashiri.
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Days required
- 3 days and 2 nights
- Main methods of transportation
- Train, Bus, Taxi
Starting with the drift ice that comes to the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk, the Eastern Hokkaido area has many breathtaking winter landscapes that can only be seen during this season.
And of course, when we think of winter, we think of hot springs! Hokkaido has the highest number of hot spring resorts in Japan, with a rich variety of spring qualities.
Why not take a trip to relax in the hot springs, soothe your daily fatigue, and leisurely enjoy the unique winter scenery and delicious food?
- * 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
Arriving at Memanbetsu Airport, the gateway to the Okhotsk area!
The Abashiri area, where the average temperature in February, the coldest month of the year, is about minus 6.0°C. Be sure to dress warmly with a thick coat, scarf, and gloves.
The airport shuttle bus is convenient for getting to Abashiri city center. (It connects with all domestic scheduled flights.)
Transfer to the 'Sightseeing Facility Tour' route bus at JR Abashiri Station, which takes about 15 minutes
Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples
The only museum in Japan specializing in northern peoples, where you can learn about the culture of northern peoples.
Come to the Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples to learn about life in northern climates throughout the world. Taking a comparative approach, this museum features the Okhotsk and Ainu cultures of Japan, as well as groups in Greenland and Northern Europe. With over 900 artifacts arranged thematically on display, visitors can discover how people in northern regions have adapted to their landscape. For a more hands-on experience, daily activities offer the chance to try traditional clothing and crafts, and regular events throughout the year focus on different cultures. As a result of this global perspective, multi-lingual audio guides are available for non-Japanese speakers.
- Address
- 網走市字潮見309-1 天都山・道立オホーツク公園内
- Telephone Number
- 0152-45-3888
- Open
- 9:30-16:30 (Jul.-Sep. 9:00-17:00)
- Closed
- Mondays, The New Year's holiday, and other temporary closures
*No closing days from Feb. and Jul.-Sep.
Column
Take advantage of the 'Abashiri Sightseeing Facility Tour' route bus to explore affordably!
This is a circular bus that visits Abashiri's tourist facilities, including the Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples, the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum, and the Abashiri Prison Museum. By using this bus, you can easily enjoy a day of city sightseeing even in winter.
For inquiries: Abashiri Bus: 0152-43-4101
Auberge Kitano Dan Dan
A nostalgic atmosphere that makes you want to say, 'I'm home!'
The concept is 'Grandma's farmhouse.' The interior, adorned with solid precious wood, early Showa-era signs, and furnishings, conveys the owner's desire for guests to relax as if they were at home. This auberge boasts natural hot springs sourced from the shores of Lake Abashiri and cuisine made with carefully selected ingredients.
- Address
- 網走市大曲39-17
- Telephone Number
- 0152-45-5963
JR Abashiri Station
Take a short trip to Lake Mashu in winter!
Enjoy a train journey on the JR line and head to Kawayu Onsen Station. The route from Abashiri Station to near Shiretoko Shari Station runs along the Sea of Okhotsk.
Departure at 10:24 / Arrival at 11:59 at JR Kawayu Onsen Station
Lunch at Restaurant Orchard Glass (in JR Kawayu Onsen Station Building)
An antique restaurant repurposed from an old station building.
JR Kawayu Onsen Station, known for its distinctive triangular roof, is a popular unmanned station where you can enjoy a classic atmosphere and a foot bath with natural hot spring water. Inside, you'll find 'Orchard Glass,' a restaurant with a beautiful and serene ambiance highlighted by stained glass. The most popular dish is the beef stew, which is carefully simmered over two days.
- Address
- 川上郡弟子屈町川湯駅前1-1-18
- Telephone Number
- 015-483-3787
- Open
- 10:00-16:00 (L.O.)
- Closed
- Irregular holidays
Snowshoe Tour of Lake Mashu
The unique beauty of the lake in winter, different from summer
A snowshoe tour exploring Lake Mashu. The guide will take you to breathtaking viewpoints that are inaccessible by foot during the summer. The white snow enhances the 'Mashu Blue,' making its beauty truly awe-inspiring. Don't miss out on these spectacular winter-only views! Transportation arrangements can be discussed (advance reservation required).
JR Mashu Station
How was your snowshoe tour?
On the way back, return to Abashiri from JR Mashu Station. While waiting for the train, warm up at the foot bath 'Poppo no Yu' next to the station building. It is designed in the style of a rock bath and is popular with locals.
Departure at 15:30 / Arrival at 17:17 Arrive at JR Abashiri Station
About 5 minutes by taxi
Dinner at Auberge Kita no Dan Dan.
From the restaurant's windows, you can enjoy the beautiful view of Lake Abashiri.
One of the pleasures of dining at Kita no Dan Dan is that the menu varies daily. Enjoy creative Japanese and Western fusion dishes made with plenty of local ingredients, crafted by a dedicated chef who takes pride in their culinary skills.
BEER & SCOTCH BAR THE EARTH
After dinner, let's head out and explore the night in Abashiri!
A popular authentic bar that stocks over 500 types of world-renowned liquors at all times. The original cocktail 'Planet of Blue,' inspired by the winter Sea of Okhotsk, and a variety of food menus using ingredients from Abashiri are also available. This charming bar attracts not only local customers but also repeat visitors from all over the country.
- Address
- 網走市南3条西2丁目第2ツカサビル1F
- Telephone Number
- 0152-43-5939
- Open
- 19:00-25:00 (-24:00 on Sundays and holidays)
- Closed
- Irregular holidays
[Accommodation] Auberge Kitano Dan Dan
Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing & Icebreaker Ship Aurora
The best part of winter in Hokkaido! Drift Ice Cruise
Every year around the end of January, drift ice arrives in the Sea of Okhotsk. Why not take a one-hour cruise on the “Drift Ice Sightseeing Icebreaker Orola,” which dynamically breaks up the drift ice as it passes by.
The ship is heated and comfortable, and you can see the drift ice from different perspectives depending on your location. For a more dynamic experience, the observation deck is recommended. The sound and impact of the ice floes breaking up is a powerful sight to behold.
The drift ice sightseeing icebreaker operates from late January to late March. Direct buses run from Memanbetsu Airport and Abashiri Station for easy access. If you are lucky, you may see seals lying on the drift ice, Steller's sea eagles resting their wings, and other wild animals.
From 2023, a new small sightseeing ship, the Oorora 3, will be in operation. A new service that uses an underwater drone to take real-time photos of the ice floes from underwater and display them on an onboard monitor is also proving popular.
- Address
- 網走市南3条東4丁目5-1道の駅流氷街道網走内
- Telephone Number
- 0152-43-6000
- Open
- [Phone reception] 8:00-17:00 (Please check the official website for operation hours.)
- Closed
- Open all year round during operation
Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum and Tentozan Observatory
Exploring a Frozen Paradise
This is an exhibition hall themed around drift ice and the creatures of the Sea of Okhotsk. Visitors can experience Okhotsk winter throughout the year in the drift ice experience room, where real drift ice is kept at minus 15 degrees Celsius. Visitors will be amazed at the adorable creatures on display, such as the clione, known as the “drift ice angel,” the balloon fish, and the sea slug. From the Tentozan Observatory, which is located next to the museum, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Shiretoko Mountain Range, a World Natural Heritage site, as well as the changing scenery of the four seasons. This spectacular view has been designated as a national cultural asset and a “place of scenic beauty.
- Address
- 網走市天都山244-3
- Telephone Number
- 0152-43-5951
- Open
- (May-Oct.) 8:30-18:00
(Nov.-Apr.) 9:00-16:30
(Dec. 29th-Jan. 5th) 10:00-15:00 - Closed
- Open all year round
