Located on a similar geographical latitude as Portland (Oregon) and Venice (Italy), the Sea of Okhotsk coast of Hokkaido is the northern hemisphere's southernmost region to see drifting sea ice.
The sea ice typically reaches the coast around Abashiri in mid to late January and disappears again by late March to mid April. The best time to view it is usually around the second half of February.
While drift ice can be observed along the entire Sea of Okhotsk coast from Wakkanai to the Shiretoko Peninsula, it gets thickest around Abashiri. Due to global warming, the amount and thickness of the drift ice has decreased quite considerably since the late 1980s.
Aurora Ryuhyo Tour
One of the best and easiest ways to see the drift ice is from the Aurora sightseeing boats, which operate daily from mid January to early April from Abashiri Port (multiple departures per day, advance reservation possible). The cruises take about one hour and cost 3300 yen per person.
The drift ice can also be observed from the coast. A popular way to do so is from the trains between Abashiri and Shiretoko-Shari Stations. The nostalgic "Ryuhyo Norokko" and the "Ryuhyo Tokkyu Ohotsuku no Kaze" with panorama windows, are two special trains operated along the coast during the ryuhyo season.
The science behind the sea ice, a wide screen introductory movie and some of the small animals living below the ice, are introduced in the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum on Mount Tento in Abashiri.
Train near Kitahama Station
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Ryuhyo Museum
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