Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Stepping off the plane at Memanbetsu Airport, the gateway to the Okhotsk region, marks the start of your winter adventure in Hokkaido. 

For comfortable access to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shiretoko, take the convenient direct bus, the Shiretoko Airport Liner, which stops at various hotels in Utoro Hot Spring. 

As you travel through the snowy landscape, your anticipation for the spectacular scenery and drift ice ahead will only grow. The path from the airport leads directly to the magnificent wilderness that awaits you.

Utoro Hot Spring, located at the entrance to Shiretoko National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is a popular resort town and the perfect base for your adventures.

The high-quality geothermal waters from the Kuril Volcanic Belt are a gift from the earth, soothing your travel fatigue while you soak in stunning views of the surrounding sea and mountains.

Here, you can also savor delicious cuisine made with fresh seafood from the Sea of Okhotsk and other local ingredients. Utoro is an essential stop on any Shiretoko trip, offering both a relaxing hot spring experience and incredible dining.

A visit to the Sea of Okhotsk in winter isn't complete without the incredible Drift Ice Adventure. This is the only place on earth where you can witness the breathtaking sight of the entire sea covered in a pristine white blanket of ice, with snow-capped mountains creating a stunning backdrop.

Wearing a special insulated dry suit, you'll head out onto the vast ice field with a professional guide. This is a unique opportunity to walk on top of the thick, continuous ice or even float in the sea surrounded by ice floes. You'll be able to experience the powerful force and profound stillness of nature at the same time, making this a truly unforgettable memory.

This is an experience where you can get up close and personal with the drift ice, allowing you to forget the cold and fully immerse yourself in the moment. Make sure to add this incredible highlight to your trip.

Michi-no-Eki "Utoro-Sir-etok" is a must-visit spot for anyone traveling through Shiretoko. The on-site restaurant, designed to look like a traditional fishermen's hut, works directly with local fish shops to serve up fresh seafood bowls and grilled fish sets.

For a quick snack, the take-out corner offers specialties unique to the area, such as original soft-serve ice cream and Ezo venison burgers. The shop is also full of local products, making it the perfect place to find souvenirs from your trip. With a tourist information center located right next door, it's a convenient hub for gathering information for your next destination.

Located just a short walk from Abashiri Station, Restaurant Arcadia is the perfect spot for a casual lunch. They're popular for their Western-style dishes, including pasta and risotto, made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients from Hokkaido and the seas of Abashiri. You can also enjoy special seasonal menus.

After your meal, choose from a wide variety of sweets, like parfaits and ice cream, that are perfect for a relaxing break during your trip.

The Abashiri Prison Museum is an open-air historical museum that preserves and showcases buildings from the former Abashiri Prison, known as Japan's northernmost prison. Located at the foot of Mt. Tento, the museum's grounds explore the deep connection between the prison and the development of Hokkaido, allowing visitors to see valuable historical buildings up close.

Inside the museum, you can take a guided tour or even experience a simulated hard labor activity. You can also try "prison food," a meal that is a reproduction of an actual prison lunch. The museum shop offers a wide variety of original goods you can only find here, making them great souvenirs.