Every winter, the Sea of Okhotsk transforms into a frozen wonderland as great sheets of drift ice (ryūhyō) travel south from Russia to Hokkaido's rugged northeastern coast. Marking the southernmost point in the Northern Hemisphere to witness this natural phenomenon, Shiretoko offers an extraordinary seasonal spectacle from late January through early April. Visitors can experience the ice up close through guided ice-walking tours in drysuits or aboard scenic icebreaker cruises. Peak viewing typically arrives in mid-to-late February, creating an unforgettable arctic landscape against the wild silhouette of the peninsula.
- Nature
- Winter
- Scenic
- Natural Wonders
- Seasonal Attraction
Swipe more in Kushiro
tryJP is a swipe deck for Japan places — save spots you like and plan a route.
Open tryJP