Every year, drift ice arrives in the Sea of Okhotsk around the end of January, when the winter becomes even more severe. Why not take a one-hour drift ice viewing cruise on the "Drift Ice Sightseeing Icebreaker Aurora," which dynamically breaks up the drift ice as it moves along?

The ship is fully heated, so you can enjoy a comfortable stay. Another reason for its popularity is that you can see the drift ice from a completely different perspective depending on where you are. The first floor cabins are unreserved seats and have sofas facing the sea. From the side deck connected to the cabins, you can view the drift ice from the closest position to the sea. If you want to relax even more, we recommend the special cabins on the second floor. These are reserved seats where you can watch the ship move forward, crushing the drift ice. The special seats are limited to the first 50 people on the day, so make sure to check in early. If you want something more dynamic, head to the observation deck. The sound of the ice breaking and the impact of it reverberating are very impressive.

The drift ice sightseeing icebreaker operates from late January to late March. Direct buses run from Memanbetsu Airport and Abashiri Station, so it's easy to get to. If you're lucky, you might encounter wild animals such as seals lying on the drift ice or Steller's sea eagles resting their wings.

In 2023, the new "Small Tourist Boat Aurora 3" will begin operation. It will be a new experience to take real-time photos of drift ice from the sea with an underwater drone and display them on the monitor on board. The emerald green color of the boat represents our desire to create a new era together with the great outdoors, including the drift ice of Abashiri and the World Heritage Site of Shiretoko.

*Please be sure to check the organizer's official website for information about event status.