Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing

From late January to mid-March, the Sea of Okhotsk freezes along the Hokkaido coast near Abashiri, and the icebreaker Aurora carries passengers out into the drift ice that floats down from Siberia. The ship is powerful enough to push through pack ice, and standing on the bow as it cracks and shifts beneath the hull is a cold but memorable experience. On clear days, the ice extends to the horizon in every direction. Seals occasionally rest on the floes. The round trip takes about one hour from Abashiri port. Dress for extreme cold. The Drift Ice Museum in town is a useful warm-up before or after the voyage.