The Aurora Drift Icebreaker is one of the most popular ways to experience the spectacular drift ice of the Sea of Okhotsk. Rather than simply viewing the ice from the shore, passengers travel directly into the frozen sea as the powerful vessel pushes through even thick sheets of drift ice.
From the deck, an immense field of white ice stretches across the horizon. As the ship advances, its hull collides with blocks of ice below the water, causing the vessel to vibrate and creating an exhilarating sense of being surrounded by the frozen sea.
The drift-ice cruise is also an opportunity to encounter wildlife that gathers around the seasonal ice. Lucky passengers may spot seals resting and sleeping on the ice, while the magnificent Steller’s sea eagle may be seen soaring above the frozen landscape.
Wildlife sightings are naturally dependent on weather and conditions, but the possibility of seeing these northern animals adds another dimension to the cruise. The combination of ice, sea, and wildlife creates a uniquely Arctic-like experience in northern Japan.
The drift ice seen along the coast of Hokkaido has its origins far to the north. Fresh water carried by the Amur River, which flows along the border between China and Russia, enters the Sea of Okhotsk and freezes as winter temperatures fall.
Driven southward by seasonal winds and ocean currents, the ice gradually grows larger as it moves through the sea. Around late January, the vast white expanse begins to appear along the Okhotsk coast, transforming the sea into a mysterious winter landscape.
The arrival of drift ice is a major seasonal event for the region. Its appearance and extent vary from year to year according to weather, winds, and ocean conditions, making every cruise a slightly different experience.
The vessel Aurora was completed in 1990 and entered service in 1991. The ship has a gross tonnage of 491 tons, a length of 45.0 meters, and a beam of 10.0 meters.
Powered by 3,000 horsepower, Aurora has a maximum speed of 14 knots and an ice-navigation speed of approximately 3 knots. The vessel can accommodate up to 420 passengers with a crew of 10, providing ample space for visitors to enjoy the dramatic scenery from inside or out on deck.
The greatest attraction of the Aurora cruise is the chance to enter the drift-ice field itself. Instead of seeing the ice as a distant white line on the horizon, passengers can watch enormous pieces of ice being pushed aside as the ship moves forward.
For travelers visiting Abashiri in winter, the Aurora Drift Icebreaker offers a memorable encounter with one of Hokkaido’s most extraordinary natural phenomena. The sound and vibration of the ship moving through the ice, the endless white landscape, and the possibility of seeing northern wildlife together create an unforgettable journey across the frozen Sea of Okhotsk.
Every day during the operation period
Period of operation
Late January to early April
10 min. by bus from JR Abashiri Station
Abashiri Port Roadside Station “Drift Ice Road Abashiri