Drift ice, which only appears in the Sea of ​​Okhotsk off Hokkaido from late January to March, is a fantastic sight that many people have seen on television and in travel magazines, and would love to see at least once!

However, since it's a place in eastern Hokkaido that people don't often have the opportunity to visit, many people may be wondering, "How do I even go to see it?" or "What kind of tours are there, and how do I choose one?"

This time, we'll introduce recommended tours for seeing Hokkaido's winter wonder, drift ice, categorized by your purpose! Find the perfect drift ice tour to enjoy to the fullest from among the many available options!

～Table of Contents～
1. What is drift ice? Where can you see it?
2. What's the appeal of drift ice?
3. Enjoy drift ice on a group tour!
4. Enjoy drift ice with a personal package plan (flight + hotel + extras)!
5. Take a bus tour departing from Sapporo to see drift ice!
6. Go see the drift ice on your own!
7. Convenient buses in winter! Higashi Hokkaido Express Bus
8. Preparations for going to see drift ice

Drift ice is a phenomenon that occurs when the Amur River, which flows along the border between China and Russia, gradually freezes as it flows towards the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, growing larger and appearing on the Sea of ​​Okhotsk side of Hokkaido. It first appears around late January and passes through the eastern part of Hokkaido from mid to late March.

The three main areas with excellent facilities and tourist attractions for viewing drift ice are Abashiri, Monbetsu, and Shiretoko Utoro/Rausu. In these regions, during the season, large quantities of drift ice wash ashore on the coast and into the harbors, creating a fantastical sight.

 ・A magnificent landscape that fills the Okhotsk Sea!

First and foremost, it's the thrill of being able to witness something truly extraordinary up close—something you absolutely cannot experience in any other ocean.

・Rare animals that visit drift ice!

Drift ice is not just a mass of ice that drifts by; it is also said to bring natural blessings to the Sea of ​​Okhotsk. The drift ice carries abundant plankton, which in turn attracts some truly rare animals.

☆Seal☆

If you're lucky, you might spot a spotted seal lying on the ice floe. It's so cute and relaxing...

☆Steller's sea eagle/White-tailed eagle☆

This impressive migratory bird can grow to over two meters in wingspan. Despite being an endangered and extremely rare species, it can be seen resting its wings on the drift ice, displaying a dignified presence.

☆Clione☆

The sea angel, known as the "angel of the drift ice," is also famous for its terrifying appearance when it feeds. While it may be difficult to see them directly from a boat or the shore, you can catch them yourself during drift ice walks, or see them at tourist facilities such as the Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum in Abashiri and Monbetsu.

There are many ways to enjoy drift ice sightseeing!

Drift ice isn't just something to admire from afar! There are many options available, such as the "Drift Ice Walk" described later, and tours that allow you to view the drift ice up close from sightseeing boats in various locations, so you can actively enjoy Hokkaido's winter, which is considered the off-season.

First of all, the easiest option for people who aren't used to traveling is a group tour.
It's so convenient to be taken on a tour that departs from Tokyo or other mainland cities with a tour guide, and includes transportation by chartered bus at the destination!

<Example of a tour package from a travel agency>
Hankyu Travel:Hokkaido Tour
Club Tourism:"Special Feature on Drift Ice Sightseeing Tours"
・Yomiuri Travel:"Special Feature: Drift Ice Cruises"

Typical budget/price range for departures from Tokyo: approximately 50,000 to 100,000 yen per person.

For those who dislike group activities and prefer to explore independently to a certain extent, we recommend our individual package plans.
It's a package deal that includes round-trip flights, local bus tickets, and ice floe cruise tickets, all at a reasonably good price.
It's so convenient not having to book local buses or ice floe cruises individually!

White Bear Family:"Special Feature: Okhotsk Drift Ice Viewing Tours"
Kinki Nippon Tourist:Special feature on drift ice tours
Life Tour:Special Feature: Eastern Hokkaido in Winter

Typical budget/price range for departures from Tokyo: approximately 30,000 to 100,000 yen per person.

★Departing from Haneda! Our tour packages include flights, hotel, and ice floe viewing all in one package!★

And here's something that's been gaining popularity recently: a bus tour that lets you enjoy drift ice on a day trip from Sapporo.

The downside is that it takes about 5 hours one way from Sapporo, meaning you'll be on a bus the whole time, but you can enjoy the drift ice for around 10,000 yen!

[Tour Examples]
・[Abashiri Aurora: Departing from Sapporo] Dynamic drift ice package!　Price: 9,990 yen
・ 2018 Sapporo Departure: Day Trip Bus Tour on the Icebreaker "Garinko II"　Price: 11,000 yen

Incidentally, there are also options that include accommodation in addition to the bus service mentioned above.

・ [Round-trip bus + Aurora cruise & accommodation] Dynamic drift ice package [Abashiri 1-night plan]　Price: From 19,900 yen
・ [Sapporo⇔Abashiri Round-Trip Bus + Aurora Cruise] Enjoy the drift ice! 1-night stay in Shiretoko + Popular drift ice walk plan　Price: From 31,500 yen

★Enjoy drift ice sightseeing at a great price with a bus tour departing from Sapporo!★

We've introduced some tours above, but we're sure there are still many of you who feel that "there isn't a tour that suits my needs" or "I want to travel more freely."
So, I'd like to introduce how to access the three major ice floe viewing spots: Abashiri, Monbetsu, and Rausu.

6-1 [Abashiri] Icebreaker Aurora and Access

This sightseeing boat departs from the Aurora Terminal in Abashiri, a tourist destination famous for Abashiri Prison and the Drift Ice Museum, allowing you to see drift ice up close. Its unique feature is that you can witness the dynamic process of the boat breaking through ice floes with its own weight (a whopping 491 tons!) from a vantage point incredibly close to the ice floe's surface.

In addition to being able to relax and admire the drift ice from the warm interior of the ship, you can enjoy the drift ice with all your senses by going up to the observation deck, and its popularity is accelerating, partly due to the increase in foreign tourists.

During the peak season from early to mid-February, departures around lunchtime fill up quickly, so we recommend booking early. *If drift ice is not visible, the tour will be a sea cruise to Cape Notoro.

[Prices] Adults: 3,300 yen / Elementary school students: 1,650 yen / Infants: Free

<Access to the Aurora Cruise boarding point [Roadside Station Ryuhyo Kaido Abashiri]>
- Approximately 40 minutes by airport shuttle bus from Memanbetsu Airport, 990 yen.
・Approximately 8 minutes by bus from JR Abashiri Station, 200 yen.
・Approximately 5 minutes by taxi from JR Abashiri Station

6-2 [Monbetsu] Icebreaker Garinko II and Access

The icebreaker departs from the Garinko Station in Monbetsu, Okhotsk. Registered as a Hokkaido Heritage site under the name "Ice Break and the Garinko," its red color stands out beautifully against the silvery world of drift ice. However, a common question that arises is, what is the difference between it and the previously mentioned "Aurora"?

The biggest difference is that the Aurora breaks ice using the weight of the ship, while the Garinko uses two drills at its bow to break the ice as it moves forward. Both are spectacular, so I recommend trying both and comparing them!

This service is also by reservation only, and flights around lunchtime can fill up very quickly, so we recommend checking early.

[Price] Adults: 3,000 yen / Children: 1,500 yen

<Access to the Garinko-go boarding area [Garinko Station]>
- Approximately 15 minutes by airport shuttle bus from Monbetsu Airport
　Buses to the Garinko Station operate annually from late January to February.
　Information from 2018CLICK HEREYou can see from the link.

6-3 [Rausu] Drift Ice Birdwatching Cruise and Access

The Shiretoko-Rausu area of ​​Utoro is home to even denser drift ice than Abashiri and Monbetsu. Instead of icebreakers, you can enjoy the drift ice from a cruiser at a very close distance! The main attraction is the sight of white-tailed eagles and Steller's sea eagles soaring through the air, as shown in the photo. The sight of so many large wings flying around is truly awe-inspiring. It's an attraction you should definitely experience at least once. While the cruise is more expensive than a regular sightseeing boat, the sense of immersion is unparalleled.

Incidentally, there are four companies operating sightseeing boats in Rausu: [Shiretoko Nature Cruise], [Drift Ice Cruising (Godzilla Rock Sightseeing)], [Arran III Cruise (Rausu no Yado Marumi)], and [Drift Ice Watching (Hamanasu)].
[Prices] 2-hour to 2.5-hour course: 8,000-10,000 yen; 1-hour course: approximately 4,000 yen

<Access to the Rausu Ice Floe Boat Terminal (Rausu city center)>
Approximately 80 minutes by car from Nakashibetsu Airport
From Nakashibetsu Airport[Higashi Hokkaido Express Bus No. 8 *Note 1]Approximately 75 minutes, 4,000 yen
From Shiretoko Utoro[Higashi Hokkaido Express Bus No. 8 *Note 1]Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, 5,000 yen
*1: Limited time offer from January 20th to March 11th, 2018. Reservations required.

Now, one of the biggest challenges in wintery Hokkaido is transportation. Trains don't always run as planned, and driving a rental car on snowy roads can be scary... For those people, we recommend the "Higashi Hokkaido Express Bus," which is ideal for visiting major tourist spots and drift ice sightseeing. The routes and schedules are set to coincide with major stay areas and drift ice cruise times, making it perfect for those who want to arrange their own tours.

⇒Higashi Hokkaido Express Bus

【Related article】
Enjoy winter in eastern Hokkaido with the Higashi Hokkaido Express Bus!

・ Clothing

When you're outside looking at drift ice, the temperature is incomparably colder than in Honshu, easily dropping to around -10 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, hotels and boats are heated and can be quite warm.

The key is to have a down jacket or coat that you can easily take off, so you can control your clothing.

Also, the roads are often frozen or covered in snow, making them very slippery, so it's best to wear cold-weather boots or boots with non-slip soles. Putting your hands in your pockets is also dangerous, so gloves are a must.

Other useful items include disposable hand warmers and earmuffs.

Things to know about the season

Generally, the best season for drift ice is said to be from early February to mid-March. You can still see it in late March, but the chances of seeing it decrease, and you might even find that you can't see it even if you go by boat!
While the first day of drift ice (the day when drift ice is first visible from the weather station) usually occurs in late January, if you want to have a high chance of seeing it, it's recommended to plan your trip for sometime in February.

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