Many people may misunderstand the image of drift ice as a collection of small chunks of ice floating on the sea. In reality, drift ice is thick and large, nearly 50 cm thick, and covers the entire surface of the ocean, creating a spectacular view. Sometimes, a single piece of ice as large as the ground will drift by.
This drift ice comes from the mouth of the Amur River in Russia and travels as far as 1,000 km to Hokkaido. Shiretoko, Abashiri, and Monbetsu are famous for drift ice. Activities such as icebreaker boats and drift ice walks can be enjoyed in these areas, and drift ice can also be observed from observation platforms. You can enjoy the dynamic sight just by watching from the shore, but actually seeing the drift ice up close and playing on it will give you a moving experience of the power of nature.
Although it varies from year to year, drift ice can be seen along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk around early January, and the best time to see it is from early February to early March. It is a precious natural phenomenon that lasts only for a limited period of time, so please check information in advance and adjust your schedule accordingly.
AloJapan.com