Hokkaido | Tokachi Abashiri

📍 Few tourists entering Tokachi would miss Abashiri, mostly drawn by the limited-time drift ice train and icebreaker ships, and recently, the popularity of the Japanese drama 'First Love' has increased the fame of Abashiri and neighboring Kitami City. Abashiri, with a population of only 30,000, has a place name (あばしり) that originates from the Ainu language, with multiple interpretations and no consensus on its original meaning. 🌊 Abashiri is bordered by the Okhotsk Sea to the north and is characterized by hills, dotted with bodies of water such as Notoro Lake, Abashiri Lake, and Tokachigawa Lake. Protected from cold waves by the Daisetsuzan mountain range, eastern Hokkaido often experiences sunny winters, and Abashiri is no exception. From here, you can clearly see the Shiretoko Peninsula, with the snow-capped Rausu-dake and Shari-dake mountains under the low winter sun, a breathtaking sight. ⛴️ Icebreaker ships are a popular attraction in Abashiri (the boat dock is a 10-minute walk from JR 'Katsuraidai' station). The appearance of drift ice in the Okhotsk Sea varies each year, usually around the end of January or early February. Reservations for the boat ride should be made in advance on the official website, and on the day of the ride, you check in on-site. The drift ice train, known as the "Kurumaya," may also be delayed or canceled due to stormy weather. 🦢 Tokachigawa Lake is one of the most unforgettable places to visit in Abashiri, located in the eastern suburbs of Abashiri (JR 'Kitahama Station'), where swans come to spend the winter each year. In the distance stands the 1,547-meter-high Shari-dake of the Shiretoko Peninsula, its white snow reflecting off the lake's surface. 💡 Noto Misaki offers a panoramic view of the raging Okhotsk Sea in winter and is of particular interest to Chinese tourists due to its appearance in the film "If You Are the One." However, Noto Misaki is quite far from the city center and not easily accessible by public transportation. If your itinerary is packed and you don't need to fill time, it's not recommended to make a special trip there. ⛰️ More worth visiting is the Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum, located on Tentosan Mountain. In addition to the museum, the top floor features a wide-open observation deck where you can take in the vast expanse of Abashiri Lake, the Okhotsk Sea, and the Shiretoko Peninsula... the boundless northern landscape unfolds before you. #Japan #HokkaidoTravel #Tokachi #Abashiri #WinterTravelPlan #NatureSceneryShare #MyOffTheBeatenPathTravelTips #TravelInJapan #LifeInJapan