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Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing Icebreaker Ship

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Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing Icebreaker Ship "Aurora"

Sail through a world of silver! A special winter-only landscape.

3.25 3

Last update :
Supervised by :  Doutou Kanko Kaihatsu (Corporation)

From late January to late March, the Sea of Okhotsk is covered in drift ice and Abashiri turns into a silver world. You can experience this magical scene up close with a cruise aboard the drift ice sightseeing icebreaker ship "Aurora."

During the roughly one-hour cruise, you can comfortably admire the drift ice from the heated interior of the ship. From the free seats on the first floor, you can get a close view from the sea-facing sofas, and from the side deck, you can enjoy the beauty of the drift ice from the closest point to the water.

The second floor features a spacious special room, with 50 designated seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. For a more dynamic experience, the observation deck is recommended. Here, you can feel the sound and impact of the ship breaking through the drift ice—a thrilling viewing spot.

If you're lucky, you might encounter seals relaxing on the ice or see wild animals like Steller's sea eagles resting their wings.

The ship also has a coffee lounge and a shop where you can buy souvenirs.

Highlights

  • A sightseeing ship that operates from late January to late March.
  • Each boarding point offers different ways to enjoy the drift ice.
  • Be sure to prepare thoroughly for cold weather before boarding.

Photos

  • The surroundings are a vast silver world, and the ship sails through it.

    The surroundings are a vast silver world, and the ship sails through it.

  • The first floor has free seating, and you can also step out onto the side deck.

    The first floor has free seating, and you can also step out onto the side deck.

  • The special seats on the second floor offer a spacious and relaxed area. Since they are designated seats for the day, it's recommended to reserve early.

    The special seats on the second floor offer a spacious and relaxed area. Since they are designated seats for the day, it's recommended to reserve early.

  • The view changes depending on the time of your cruise, so be sure to check the operation schedule!

    The view changes depending on the time of your cruise, so be sure to check the operation schedule!

  • If you're lucky, you might even spot a Steller's sea eagle resting its wings on the drift ice.

    If you're lucky, you might even spot a Steller's sea eagle resting its wings on the drift ice.

Official FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.

Q

Do you have signs or pamphlets in foreign languages? (If you do, which languages are available?)
A

English and Chinese available.

Q

Is free Wi-Fi available in the area?
A

Available inside the roadside station (道の駅), Not available on the ship.

Q

Are coin lockers available?
A

Available inside the roadside station (道の駅), Not available on the ship.

Q

Is a reservation necessary for boarding?
A

Yes

Q

Are there any smoking areas?
A

Available inside the roadside station (道の駅), No smoking on the ship.

Reviews

3

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • 5765 nyu
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    If you want to see a northern landscape of ice and snow but don’t want to travel all the way to Russia, Abashiri in Hokkaido is the place to go. The Sea of Okhotsk, near the Arctic, offers polar ocean scenery much like neighboring Russia. Icebreakers are an essential means of transportation, but while Russian icebreakers are usually important military vessels in the Arctic Circle, in Abashiri you can see icebreakers used for sightseeing. It’s not easy to see such a unique form of transportation amid a landscape of ice and snow. If you’re interested in ships and want to take a boat ride in the north, consider visiting Abashiri, Hokkaido.

  • 黃國棟
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    When visiting Abashiri, Hokkaido, you definitely shouldn't miss the winter-only drift ice experience! I boarded the Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing Icebreaker Ship "Aurora" and headed toward the silvery-white world of the Sea of Okhotsk, hoping to see the winter drift ice with my own eyes.

    Before we left, everyone kept telling me, "There definitely won't be any ice this time!" After all, seeing drift ice really depends on luck. Whether you encounter a vast expanse of it is entirely up to the weather and sea conditions. Unexpectedly, I was extremely lucky this time and actually saw a huge expanse of ice! Seeing all that white drift ice floating on the surface of the sea was still incredibly striking. I was completely satisfied just to see scenery like this.

    In the cold sea breeze, looking out over the endless silvery-white sea of ice really captured the unique charm of winter in Hokkaido.

    And since they had beer on the ship... of course I had to have one〜 Drinking beer while standing in the cold wind and watching the drift ice also felt very Hokkaido!

    I was really lucky to encounter so much ice on this trip. Sometimes travel is just like that—the weather, season, and luck all have to line up perfectly for you to see the scenery you've been looking forward to most.

  • 醉貓
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    The sound of the icebreaker ramming through the ice is weirdly soothing—and kind of thrilling.

    Watching the drift ice float in toward the deck was absolutely breathtaking.

Details

Name in Japanese
網走流氷観光砕氷船おーろら
Postal Code
093-0003
Address
4-5-1 Minami3johigashi, Abashiri City, Hokkaido
Telephone
0152-43-6000
Closed
No regular holidays during the operation period.
Business Hours
From January 20th to 31st 9:00am - , 11:00am - , 1:00pm - , 3:00pm -
From February 1st to March 14th 9:30am - , 11:00am - , 12:30pm - , 2:00pm - , 3:30pm -
From March 15th to 31st 9:30am - , 11:30am - , 1:30pm -
*Reception hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm
*Only reservation by call is accepted on the day of
Admission
Adults (Junior High School and older) 6,000 yen / Elementary School Students 3,000 yen (February)
Adults (Junior High School and older) 5,000 yen / Elementary School Students 2,500 yen (January & March)
Access
About 8 minutes by car from JR Senmo Main Line’s Abashiri Station.
Credit Cards
Not accepted
Official Website
Official Website (English)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa