Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing Icebreaker Ship "Aurora" | Review by 黃國棟

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Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing Icebreaker Ship "Aurora"

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

14 Sep 2026 See More

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.

Other Reviews by 黃國棟

Cape Notoro

Cape Notoro, with its towering cliffs of 40-50 meters high, juts out into the Sea of Okhotsk. The name "Notoro" is derived from the Ainu language, meaning "place of the cape."
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Cape Notoro is an attraction in Abashiri that is well worth visiting, with lush green grasslands and expansive ocean views. In winter, you can also see the magical drift ice scenery. It has a different look in every season.

When I visited this winter, the entire landscape was covered in white snow, with an endless snowy view stretching out before me. Against the clear blue sky, the scenery looked especially crisp and beautiful. Standing on the cape in the cold winter wind and gazing at the vast natural landscape was truly soothing. Having such good weather was also a very lucky moment during the trip!
Abashiri Prison Museum

Abashiri Prison Museum is an outdoor history museum located in the Abashiri National Park area. On a site equivalent to 3.5 times the size of Tokyo Dome, the former Abashiri Prison buildings have been relocated, restored, preserved, and opened to the public.
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A classic attraction in Abashiri, Hokkaido. The former Abashiri Prison facilities, built during the Meiji period, have now been preserved and opened as a museum. Admission is JPY 1,500. The grounds are very large, and you can visit many historic buildings and learn about the working and living conditions of prisoners and guards at the time. There is also a stamp-collecting activity in the buildings, with a unique stamp at each major spot. I especially liked the ingenious design of the prison area, which allowed guards to see several cells at a glance. There is also a recreation of the escape by Yoshie Shiratori, the “King of Prison Breaks,” which was really interesting!
Lake Abashiri

Set in the southwest corner of the city with the same name is Lake Abashiri, a marine lake stretching 43 all around with a full index of activities to try all year around.
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Lake Abashiri is a distinctive natural attraction in eastern Hokkaido, with a different appearance in every season and many outdoor activities to try. When I visited, it was winter, and the lake was covered in thick ice, with white snow all around and distant mountain scenery quietly stretching into the distance, creating a uniquely peaceful atmosphere. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't very good on the day I arrived. The entire sky was gray, so it lacked the clear look it would have under a blue sky. Still, Lake Abashiri in winter has a quiet and unique beauty that is worth experiencing in person.