This sightseeing ship runs while breaking the drift ice floating on the sea. The large icebreaker, "Aurora," has little rocking when breaking the ice, so even those prone to seasickness can ride comfortably. The first floor has free seating, allowing you to enjoy the drift ice up close at eye level. On the reserved-seat second floor, you can watch the ship break through the ice right in front of you, and from the observation deck you can experience the overwhelming scale of the drift ice stretching as far as the eye can see—the choice is yours. You may also encounter seals resting on the ice, Steller's sea eagles, Ezo red foxes, and Ezo deer that have come over the land. The newly built "Small Sightseeing Ship Aurora 3," introduced in 2023, allows you to enjoy footage of the drift ice captured underwater by a drone, shown on monitors inside the ship. In Abashiri, the drift ice often arrives as early as the end of January. Compared to Shiretoko, the density of the ice floes is lower, allowing you to admire the beautiful contrast of the blue sea glimpsed through the gaps between the ice.

The must-try things in Abashiri are the fresh seafood and unique local craft beer. Here are some recommended restaurants!

YAKINIKU Abashiri Beer Hall
Less than a 10-minute walk from Abashiri Bus Terminal. This restaurant allows you to enjoy your meal while looking out at the Abashiri River flowing right beside it. The brewery is attached to the restaurant, so you can taste delicious local beers such as the blue, sparkling Abashiri “Ryuhyo DRAFT.” The interior is quite spacious, making it a great choice for families and group trips.

Shusai-tei Kihachi
About a 5-minute walk from Abashiri Bus Terminal. A popular izakaya beloved by locals since its opening in 1995. It has been awarded the Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide Hokkaido for two consecutive editions. The recommended dish is whale cuisine—sashimi and bacon that you can only enjoy here, and both are exquisite. The restaurant is passionate about using ingredients from the Okhotsk region, and offers a rich selection of local sake.

We would like to introduce a recommended local restaurant operated by fishermen, where you can enjoy the seafood of the Shiretoko/Shari area!

Maruko Suisan
"Maruko Suisan," which delivers delicious fish from Hokkaido Shiretoko to all over Japan, has a restaurant where you can enjoy fresh seafood. Even if you miss lunch a little on weekends, they are open. Whether before or after sightseeing cruises or tours, when strolling around Utoro, or upon arrival, you can enjoy various types of seafood at different times!
For details such as business hours and seasonal operation, please check their official Instagram or business profile !

After lunch, enjoy wandering around Utoro! "Oronko Rock," a huge boulder (60 meters high) located in the fishing port, is currently closed for climbing due to construction, but it is one of the Shiretoko Eight Sights. Along with "Godzilla Rock," standing 15 meters tall, they are symbols of Utoro. Depending on the timing, even just walking along the coastline is recommended, as you might see drift ice floating on the Sea of Okhotsk. At the Shiretoko World Heritage Center, you can see life-size photos and models of brown bears and Ezo deer living in Shiretoko, and get information about Shiretoko's highlights, which has been recognized as a World Natural Heritage Site.

Have fun playing on the drift ice with local fishermen! Get guided across the drift ice by local fishermen who know Shiretoko’s sea best, and by Shiretoko’s only Chinese-speaking guide from Taiwan. Walk and jump on the drift ice together!

A small-group guided tour available only in winter. Walk directly on the frozen drift ice of the Sea of Okhotsk.
Surrounded by a fantastical landscape, enjoy a special and unhurried moment as you walk slowly, feeling the breath of nature around you.

During winter, the Furepe Waterfall transforms into pillars of pale blue ice. The shimmering, needle-like ice crystals, visible only in winter, are a true masterpiece of nature. The scenery shifts dramatically from summer's green landscape to a world enveloped in pure white snow and brilliant blue skies. Surrounded by this quiet beauty, you will feel a sense of oneness, as if you have melted into the landscape itself.

You might expect the winter forest to be dark, but since the trees have shed their leaves, sunlight pours in, creating a surprisingly bright and clear environment. As you walk the primeval forest trail along the Shiretoko coastline, you can gaze out at the drift ice spreading to the horizon and look for the tracks and traces of animals living in the woods. If you’re lucky, you might even encounter the Black Woodpecker (Kumagera), Japan’s largest woodpecker and a designated Natural Monument.

Along National Route 334 on the way to the Shiretoko World Heritage site, there is a waterfall that has been selected as one of the "100 Best Waterfalls of Japan." Oshin Koshin means "the place where Ezo spruce grows in clusters" in the Ainu language. True to its name, water falls dynamically from a cliff in the forest, splashing as it descends. Because the flow splits into two halfway down, it is also called the "Twin Beautiful Falls." During the severe cold of winter, you can see a "frozen waterfall" where the water freezes while still flowing—it's like a work of ice art. From the observation deck above the falls, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the white sea covered completely in drift ice.

Among the areas of Eastern Hokkaido, Nakashibetsu is gradually gaining popularity for its growing number of stylish shops. Here are some recommended spots for a stroll, as well as eateries where you can grab a quick bite.

ONUKI COFFEE ROASTERY
A shop specializing in carefully roasted, self-produced coffee. In addition to coffee beans, you can also purchase homemade rusk and cookies. In the attached eat-in space, you can enjoy freshly brewed coffee prepared with special care by the owner.

Shiretoko Factory
A shop where you can enjoy sweets and cute donuts. At the café inside the store, you can have delicious Nakashibetsu milk and gelato while gazing out at the horizon. The "Shiretoko Fresh Caramel," which you can buy here, won the grand prize at the 2nd Hokkaido Specialty Fair, selected by buyers in 2008.

Trattoria Naccarino
An Italian restaurant in a beautifully renovated warehouse-like building. Their homemade smoked salmon cream pasta is exquisite. The pizza, made with chewy, freshly kneaded dough, is so good you’ll finish it in no time. The generous portions will surely leave you feeling full.

Conveyor Belt Sushi Nemuro Hanamaru
A popular sushi restaurant serving high-quality sushi that you wouldn’t expect from a conveyor belt sushi place. You can enjoy fresh seafood from Hokkaido at reasonable prices. It’s a welcoming spot for both solo diners and families.
*As of September 2024, the restaurant is under renovation and is open for takeout only.