Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing & Icebreaker Ship Aurora
A Thrilling Winter Experience in Hokkaido! Powerful Drift Ice Cruises
Every year in late January, drift ice from the Sea of Okhotsk arrives along the coast of Hokkaido. One of the best ways to experience this natural phenomenon is by boarding the Aurora, a powerful icebreaker sightseeing ship that plows through the ice during an exciting about 60-minute cruise.
The heated interior of the ship ensures a comfortable journey, with different vantage points to enjoy the view of the drift ice. For those seeking a more intense experience, the observation deck is highly recommended — the cracking sounds and jolts of the ice breaking beneath the ship are unforgettable and thrilling.
The Aurora typically operates from late January to late March. With direct buses available from Memanbetsu Airport and Abashiri Station, access is quick and easy. If you're lucky, you might even spot wildlife such as seals lounging on the ice or majestic Steller’s sea eagles resting their wings.
Starting in 2023, the newly introduced compact sightseeing ship Aurora 3 is also in service. It features an innovative offering: a live feed from an underwater drone, streaming real-time footage of the drift ice beneath the sea, shown on monitors inside the ship — a fresh and immersive way to experience the ice from above and below.
- * Please note that the text shown on this page includes machine translations.
- Category
- With friends
- Sightseeing trains, pleasure boats, cruise ships
- Shopping
- Guys' trip
- Couple
- Travel style
- Michi-no-eki (roadside stations), tourist product centers
- Winter scenery, drift ice
- Animal habitats, plant habitats
- Sea, coast, cape, peninsula, island
- Natural scenery, spectacular views
- Experiences, tours
- Travel Inspiration
- Enjoy spectacular views
- Nearest airports
General Information
- Postal code
- 〒093-0003
- Address
- 北海道網走市南3条東4丁目5-1道の駅流氷街道網走内
- Telephone Number
- 0152-43-6000（Doutou Kanko Kaihatsu）
- Open
- [Phone reception] 8:00-17:00 (Please check the official website for operation hours.)
- Closed
- Open all year round during operation
- Prices
- Various discounts available (see related links)
- Car Park
- 106 spaces, free
- Directions
- ●By car: About 10 minutes from JR Abashiri Station
●By car: About 30 minutes from Memanbetsu Airport - Website
Safety measures and safety operation initiatives of sightseeing ship operators, etc.
* Information on facilities is subject to change. Please check each official website for the latest information.
