Eastern Hokkaido offers breathtaking winter scenery, including drift ice. With its abundance of snow and ice, it's a place you'll want to visit at least once.

However, when it comes to actually planning a trip, many people probably don't know how to get around, right? Driving a rental car on rough, snowy roads is also difficult...

Therefore, I would like to suggest a winter trip using JR trains. They are not only a means of transportation, but there are also many other attractions that can only be enjoyed by traveling by JR!

So, this time, I'd like to introduce the unique charms of traveling by JR train.

1. The Charms of a Winter Trip to Eastern Hokkaido by JR Train - Part 1: Seasonal Trains
2. The Charms of a Winter Trip to Eastern Hokkaido by JR Train - Part 2: Station Gourmet
3. The Charms of a Winter Trip to Eastern Hokkaido by JR Train, Part 3: Winter Highlights
4. Traveling to Eastern Hokkaido by JR train

1-1. SL Winter Marshland Train

Many fans say, "I'll travel to eastern Hokkaido in winter just to ride this," and the SL Winter Marshland Train is a symbol of seasonal trains in wintery Hokkaido.

From Kushiro, we sped across the Kushiro Marsh to Shibetsu. The journey took 1 hour and 30 minutes and covered 48.1 km. The unique sound of the steam locomotive was exhilarating.

All seats are reserved, and the five-car train is equipped with a potbelly stove. Passengers can even roast and eat dried squid sold on board.

Enjoying a nostalgic moment while gazing at the white wetlands... what a luxury.

SL Winter Marshland Train
Operating days: January 27th to February 25th (some days with no service) One round trip per day (Kushiro to Shibecha)
Fare (one way): Basic fare 1,070 yen + Reserved seat ticket 820 yen
*Reserved seat tickets can be purchased at JR stations nationwide (Midori no Madoguchi ticket offices), the online reservation service "Ekinet," etc.

1-2. The Drift Ice Story Ship

Enjoy a journey while watching the drift ice washing ashore on the Sea of ​​Okhotsk. This unique experience can be found on the "Drift Ice Story Train," which travels 37.3km between Abashiri and Shiretoko-Shari.
Incidentally, this train is the successor to the "Ryuhyo Norokko" train that ran on the same route until 2016.

The Ryuhyo Monogatari (Drift Ice Story) train, which runs for about a month during the drift ice season, is a two-car diesel train with all seats unreserved. The Okhotsk blue exterior, headmark, signs, and seat covers inside the train are all themed to enhance the experience.

Drift Ice Story Ship
Operating days: Every day from February 3rd to March 4th, two round trips per day (Abashiri to Shiretoko-Shari)
Fare (one way): 840 yen

2-1. Kawayu Onsen Station | Orchardgrass

JR Kawayu Onsen Station is located midway along the JR Senmo Main Line, which connects Kushiro and Abashiri. This station, which was once bustling with activity during the honeymoon boom of the 30s and 40s, is now an unmanned station. The café "Orchard Grass" operates out of the station master's office and administrative building.

In this retro Showa-era space adorned with stained glass, where Emperor Showa once rested, you'll want to enjoy this beef stew.

The rich flavor of the well-cooked meat and stew is truly exceptional. It's especially comforting on a cold winter day.

A hearty winter trip like this is highly recommended: fill your stomach with warm food and soothe your body in the retro, famous Kawayu Onsen hot spring near the station.

オーチャードグラス
Opening hours: 10:00 - 17:30 Closed: Tuesdays
Phone number 015-483-3787
*Please note that we may be temporarily closed, so we recommend calling ahead to confirm.

2-2. Kitahama Station | Train Station

Four stations from Abashiri Station towards Shiretoko, JR Kitahama Station is a station along the Sea of ​​Okhotsk that is said to be the closest station to drift ice.

The station has a small observation deck where you can get a panoramic view of the drift ice sea, and the shop located inside this small station building is called "Teishajo" (Station).

The interior, a renovated former office, features seats that are just like those in the old trains, making you feel like you're actually on a train, which is really exciting.

Recommended dishes here include the retro-flavored curry, the ramen packed with seafood, and even a cake set for teatime!

parking lot
Opening hours: 11:00 - 19:00 Closed: Tuesdays
Phone number 0152-46-2410
*Please note that we may be temporarily closed, so we recommend calling ahead to confirm.

2-3. Mashu Station | Poppo-tei

And the third place I'd like to introduce isn't inside the station, but rather a restaurant right in front of it. It's Poppo-tei, a restaurant located right in front of JR Mashu Station.

The first thing I want to eat at Poppo-tei is the pork bowl!

The slightly sweet and rich sauce coats the Hokkaido-raised pork loin perfectly, creating an irresistible flavor that you won't be able to stop eating. It's no wonder it was once ranked second in the "National Ekiben (train station bento) Competition."

Besides the pork bowl, they also offer many other delicious dishes, such as creamy ramen made with local ingredients. Furthermore, the warm and friendly service is a welcome bonus, making it a place you'll definitely want to visit.

Poppo-tei
Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 19:00 PM (until 20:00 PM in summer) Closed irregularly.
Phone number 015-482-2412

3-1. Drift ice

Eastern Hokkaido experiences incredibly cold winters compared to Honshu. Yet, the main reason to want to go there is, of course, the drift ice.
The chunks of ice drifting in from far-off Russia are something you'll want to see at least once in your lifetime, and perhaps even more.

The most popular activity is the drift ice sightseeing boat. The "Aurora" boat, which departs from the Abashiri roadside station, is close to Abashiri Station and operates 4 to 6 times a day. It can get crowded with groups, so advance reservations are recommended.

Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing Icebreaker Aurora | Eastern Hokkaido Tourism Development
Winter operation: Daily from January 20th to April 3rd. Fare: 3,300 yen.
https://www.ms-aurora.com/abashiri/

And what has become particularly popular recently is "drift ice walking," where people walk and play on the drift ice.
Wearing a drysuit, you can stand on the ice or even fall into the sea. This is an activity that both Japanese and foreigners can enjoy with great excitement!

Drift Ice Walk | Shiretoko Naturalist Association Shinra
Daily from February 1st to late March. Price: 5,100 yen
http://www.shinra.or.jp/ryuhyo_walk.html

3-2. Shiretoko in Winter

Shiretoko is known as a World Natural Heritage site. While Shiretoko is strongly associated with the lush greenery of summer, its snow-covered winter landscape is also incredibly appealing.
In addition to the drift ice walk mentioned earlier, there are many other attractive activities such as walking around the Shiretoko Five Lakes in the depths of winter and exploring the winter forest.

Also, the "Shiretoko Drift Ice Festival," which started in 2017, is even bigger and better this year, its second year! It is becoming a well-established way to enjoy winter nights in Shiretoko.

Shiretoko Drift Ice Festival
Period: Every day from January 30th to February 28th, 18:30 to 21:00
Admission fee: 500 yen (includes original badge and one drink)

3-3. Lake Mashu in Winter

Lake Mashu, known as a mystical lake and one of Hokkaido's most scenic spots, is famous as "Lake Mashu of the Mist" from spring to autumn, when it's difficult to see the lake's surface. However, in winter, it presents a completely different appearance.

Lake Mashu frozen over: This can be seen during the coldest part of winter, from late January to February, as the lake freezes over.

The frost-covered trees around Lake Mashu are completely white, right down to the tips of their branches. It's a breathtaking sight that can only be seen in the early morning.

3-4. Winter-only buses connecting the main attractions

For those who want to efficiently visit places like Abashiri, Shiretoko Utoro, and Lake Mashu, which we've introduced here, we recommend the winter-only buses. Here are a few representative examples.

Higashi Hokkaido Express Bus
A total of 13 bus routes connecting eastern Hokkaido. These services operate for a limited time only, from January 20th to March 11th (some services run until February 25th).
http://ja.visit-eastern-hokkaido.jp/plans/expressbus/

・Eastern Hokkaido sightseeing bus
　This is a wide-area bus service connecting Sapporo, Sounkyo, Shiretoko Utoro, and Obihiro/Tokachigawa Onsen. During the winter season, it operates from December 9th to March 17th (dates vary depending on the route).
http://ja.visit-eastern-hokkaido.jp/plan-your-trip-all/toursightseeingbus_winter/

Shiretoko Airport Liner
　This bus connects Memanbetsu Airport/Abashiri and Shiretoko Utoro. During the winter season, it operates only from January 20th to March 11th.
http://www.sharibus.co.jp/pdf/ShiretokoAirPortLiner2018.pdf

4-1. From Sapporo to Kushiro

The Super Ozora is a limited express train that connects Sapporo and Kushiro in a minimum of 3 hours and 58 minutes.
Six round trips per day: 8,850 yen (basic fare + unreserved express train ticket)
○With the great discount ticket "Ekinet Tokudane," one-way fares start from 5,610 yen (Tokudane 40).

4-2. From Sapporo/Asahikawa to Abashiri

The Limited Express Okhotsk, which connects Sapporo and Abashiri in a minimum of 5 hours and 22 minutes, operates two round trips per day and costs 9,390 yen.
It is also possible to take the Limited Express Super Kamui between Sapporo and Asahikawa, and then the Limited Express Taisetsu between Asahikawa and Abashiri.
○With the discounted "Ekinet Tokudane" tickets, one-way fares start from 6,630 yen (*).
*Sapporo to Asahikawa | Tokudane 45 + Asahikawa to Abashiri | Tokudane 50 (combined price)

For more information about JR Hokkaido's "Ekinet Tokudane" (discounted fare), please see the link below.
http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/ekinet/

<PR>
==A winter trip to enjoy on the JR Senmo Main Line==
The limited-time sightseeing trains, the "SL Winter Marshland Train" and the "Drift Ice Story Train," are proving popular! We'll introduce the highlights and charms of winter in eastern Hokkaido, which you can enjoy by riding the JR Senmo Main Line!
[Eastern Hokkaido Official]For more information, click here

Advertisement: Higashi Hokkaido Tourism Development Council

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