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.
Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing Icebreaker Ship "Aurora" | Review by 醉貓
Other Reviews by 醉貓
-
Yoko Museum, Japanese Garden Keishuen
A cultural facility where an art museum stands within a Japanese garden. Keishuen, which spans Approx. 3,000 tsubo, is a strolling pond garden created by landscape designer Kinsaku Nakane, known as the “Kobori Enshu of the Showa era.” Highlights include dynamic rock arrangements using Approx. 2,000 tons of massive stones, waterfalls of various sizes, ponds, tea fields, and the scenery they create together.
I originally just stopped by since it was on the way, but it unexpectedly became one of my favorite spots on this trip.
I really liked the way the museum and Japanese garden are combined. The museum exhibits are distinctive, and you can not only enjoy the artwork but also take your time strolling through the garden.
The whole place felt incredibly relaxing. -
Dazaifu Government Office Ruins
The ancient administrative center that oversaw all of Kyushu from the late 7th century to the 12th century. During the ritsuryo system, Dazaifu, known as the "Far Court" (To no Mikado), was established here, and its grand government office managed diplomacy, military affairs, and politics. The site once held a prestigious complex of government buildings, including the main hall, central gate, and corridors. Today, its presence remains quietly in the foundation stones scattered across the lawn, telling visitors of the site’s former grandeur.
The more you walk, the more charm it has.
The wide grassy area with the outlines of the ruins makes for a really pleasant walk when the weather is nice. It’s great for taking a slow stroll and imagining what it used to look like.
There aren’t many people, so it’s perfect if you want to avoid crowds and just enjoy a quiet walk. -
Strawberry Picking Park & Strawberry Cafe Kunouya
A strawberry-picking park with an attached cafe in the Kunou area, a popular strawberry-picking destination lined with many greenhouses along National Route 150 facing Suruga Bay.
Strawberry lovers will absolutely love this place 🍓. You can pick your own strawberries, and they’re fresh and sweet, so it’s really fun to eat them as you go. The cafe next door also specializes in strawberry desserts, and the strawberry parfaits and cakes look almost too good to be true. They’re great for photos too. It does get more crowded on weekends, so I’d recommend going early or you might have to wait. Overall, it’s a perfect combo of sweets and a fun experience, and spending half a day here feels just right.