Each deep winter, the Sea of Okhotsk delivers one of Japan’s most extraordinary natural spectacles to northeast Hokkaido: drift ice (ryūhyō). Vast floes of pack ice — formed far to the north and carried south on the current — crowd the coast around Abashiri and the Shiretoko Peninsula, turning the sea white to the horizon. Visitors get out among it on red icebreaker cruise ships that crunch through the floes, or by ice-walking in a dry suit. Sometimes seals, eagles and even the rare drift-ice angels (clione) appear. It’s a thrilling, bucket-list winter experience.

This guide covers the icebreaker cruises, ice walking, the best time and how to get there.

🗓️ Quick Reference
Location Abashiri & Shiretoko (Okhotsk coast)
Best time Late January to early March (peak Feb)
Experiences Icebreaker cruises, ice-walking tours
Price Cruise ~¥4,000; ice walk ~¥6,000
Good for Winter spectacle, photography, families

Icebreaker cruises

  • The Aurora (Abashiri) and Garinko (Monbetsu) icebreaker ships push out among the floes — feel and hear the ice crunch beneath the hull.
  • Cruises last about an hour; watch for seals and sea eagles on the ice.
  • Sailings depend on ice and weather — they can be cancelled, so allow buffer days.

Ice walking & more

  • On the Shiretoko side (Utoro), guided ice-walking tours kit you out in a dry suit to walk, float and even slip into the icy sea safely — see our Shiretoko guide .
  • The Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum and observation points explain the phenomenon and the tiny “ice angels” (clione).

Best time & tips

  • Drift ice typically arrives late January, peaks in February, and fades by early March — timing varies yearly with wind and cold.
  • Dress for extreme cold; layers, gloves and grippy boots are essential.
  • Book cruises/tours ahead in February; have flexible dates in case of cancellations.

Combine your visit

Drift ice anchors a winter trip to the northeast:

  • Pair with the Shiretoko Peninsula (ice walking, winter wildlife) — see our Shiretoko guide .
  • Inland, the frozen Akan, Mashu and Kussharo lakes are stunning in winter — see our eastern lakes guide .

How to get there

  • Fly to Memanbetsu Airport, then ~30–40 min to Abashiri; or by train to Abashiri Station.
  • Cruise terminals are near the stations; ice-walking tours meet in Utoro (Shiretoko).