Model Courses for sightseeing around Sapporo and New Chitose Airport
Model
course
01
February to early March｜New Chitose → Obihiro → Kushiro → Shiretoko → Abashiri
Winter tourist train "SL Fuyu no Shitsugen-Go"
and Enjoy drift ice in Shiretoko and Abashiri! 5Days
A five-day itinerary departing from New Chitose Airport and visiting Obihiro, Kushiro, the World Natural Heritage site of Shiretoko, and the drift ice town of Abashiri in Eastern Hokkaido.
Enjoy the food in Obihiro and Kushiro, and ride the seasonal tourist train "Steam Locomotive Winter Wetlands." Experience drift ice walking in Shiretoko, and board a drift ice cruise in Abashiri.
Shiretoko Five Lakes in Winter
The Shiretoko Five Lakes are located within the World Heritage Site. During the harsh winter, when the lake turns white, access is restricted, so you can only visit by joining a tour run by one of the experience providers.
Drift ice icebreaker ship "Aurora"
Aurora is an icebreaker ship that operates from Abashiri. Enjoy an impressive, thrilling 1-hour cruise as it breaks through the thick ice!
Course Overview
| Day 1 | Various places → New Chitose Airport → (JR/Minami-Chitose Station transfer to Tokachi/Ozora express trains) → Obihiro Enjoy Tokachi and Obihiro cuisine at places like Kita no Yatai, a five-minute walk from Obihiro Station. [Itinerary arrangement]It is also possible to take the "Ozora Limited Express" and go all the way to Kushiro without getting off at Obihiro. |
|---|---|
| Day 2 |
Obihiro → (JR Limited Express Ozora) → Kushiro Station → (Local bus) → Tsurui Village/Tsurumidai → (Local bus) → Kushiro At Tsurumidai, you can see red-crowned cranes flying over the snowy ground. In Kushiro, you can enjoy the local specialty, robatayaki. [Itinerary arrangement]If you leave Obihiro in the morning and board the "Oozora 1", you can also ride the SL Fuyu no Shitsugen-Go. |
| Day 3 |
Kushiro → (JR SL Fuyu no Shitsugen-Go) → Shibecha → (East Hokkaido Express Bus No. 7, stopping off at Lake Mashu on the way) → Shiretoko Utoro（泊） Take a ride on the "Steam Locomotive Winter Wetlands" which only operates in winter and enjoy the spectacular views of the Kushiro Wetlands. Lake Mashu in winter is also a highlight. |
| Day 4 |
Stay in Utoro, Shiretoko We recommend guided tours such as strolling around the Shiretoko Five Lakes and drift ice walks during the harsh winter. [Itinerary arrangement]You can also take the Shiretoko Airport Liner, which departs in the afternoon, to Abashiri or Memanbetsu Airport. |
| Day 5 |
Shiretoko Utoro → (East Hokkaido Express Bus No. 2) → Abashiri Roadside Station/ Board the drift ice cruise → (Bus) → Memanbetsu Airport → To New Chitose/Haneda In Abashiri, board the drift ice cruise ship "Aurora" and enjoy the drift ice that is only available in winter. |
Model
course
02
February to early March｜Sapporo → Monbetsu → Abashiri → Shiretoko → Lake Akan
Eastern Hokkaido
Be amazed by the spectacular sight of frozen sea and lake 5Days
Seeking the spectacular views unique to eastern Hokkaido in the middle of winter.
You will explore a world of ice that is only seen at this time of year, including the "icy horizon" of Notsuke Peninsula, the "frost flowers" of Lake Akan, and the drift ice of Monbetsu and Abashiri.
Lake Akan Frost Flowers
Frost flowers are ice flowers that form on the lake surface in the cold early mornings of January and February. If the weather conditions are right, you can see them at the "SIRI" adventure program at Tsuruga Resort or on tours organized by the Lake Akan Tourism Association.
Notsuke Peninsula "Betsukai Ice Horizon"
The inland sea of Notsuke Peninsula, known as Japan's largest sand spit, turns into a blanket of ice in winter. This frozen land that spreads out like a horizon has come to be called the "ice horizon."
Course Overview
| Day 1 | Sapporo → (Intercity bus "Ryuhyo Monbetsu Go") → Monbetsu After arriving at Monbetsu, board the drift ice cruise ship "Garinko-go III" and enjoy the dynamic drift ice. |
|---|---|
| Day 2 | Monbetsu → (East Hokkaido Express Bus No. 1) → Abashiri Roadside Station / Board the drift ice cruise Abashiri After boarding the drift ice cruise, enjoy sightseeing in Abashiri city, including the Abashiri Prison Museum and the Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum. [Itinerary arrangement]You can also board the East Hokkaido Express Bus after the drift ice cruise to go to Shiretoko Utoro. |
| Day 3 | Abashiri → (Shiretoko Airport Liner) → Shiretoko Utoro After arriving in Shiretoko, enjoy the special experience of walking on drift ice, known as the "Drift Ice Walk." |
| Day 4 |
Shiretoko Utoro → (East Hokkaido Express Bus No. 5, stops at Notsuke Peninsula and Lake Mashu on the way) → Lake Akan Onsen At Notsuke Peninsula, enjoy a guided tour called "Ice Horizon Walk," where you can walk on the frozen sea. [Itinerary arrangement]If you take an evening flight from Kushiro Airport, you can leave Kushiro on the fourth day without staying the night at Lake Akan. |
| Day 5 | Akanko Onsen → (bus) → Kushiro Airport → Haneda/New Chitose Airport In the early morning, why not try SIRI's "Morning Cafe Tour" or the early morning Lake Akan tour organized by the Lake Akan Tourism Association and search for the "frost flowers" that bloom on the lake's surface? [Itinerary arrangement] There is also an intercity bus called the "Sunrise Go" that goes from Akanko Onsen to Asahikawa, where the popular Asahiyama Zoo is located. |
※The above model itinerary is based on transportation options available in February 2025.
Model
course
03
February to early March｜New Chitose → Kitami → Abashiri → Lake Akan → New Chitose
Be amazed by drift ice and the frozen lake
Kitami, Abashiri, Lake Akan tour 4 nights 5 days
A trip that allows you to enjoy the drift ice in Abashiri and the winter lakes of Lake Mashu and Lake Akan, making full use of sightseeing buses.
You can stay several nights in Kitami, where it is relatively easy to make reservations, and enjoy the city's sights and famous local cuisine.
Drift ice icebreaker ship "Aurora"
Aurora is an icebreaker ship that operates from Abashiri. Enjoy an impressive, thrilling 1-hour cruise as it breaks through the thick ice!
Lake Akan Frost Flowers
Frost flowers are ice flowers that form on the lake surface in the cold early mornings of January and February. If the weather conditions are right, you can see them at the "SIRI" adventure program at Tsuruga Resort or on tours organized by the Lake Akan Tourism Association.
Course Overview
| Day 1 | New Chitose Airport, Haneda Airport, etc. → Memanbetsu Airport (13:30 departure) → (East Hokkaido Express Bus No. 9, stop at the Northern Land Aquarium and the Northern Fox Ranch on the way) → Kitami Other highlights include the cute, fluffy winter foxes and the popular photogenic aquarium. In the evening, we recommend trying Kitami's specialty, yakiniku (grilled meat). [Itinerary arrangements] If you arrive at Memanbetsu Airport in the afternoon, you can also travel to Kitami by airport shuttle bus. |
|---|---|
| Day 2 |
Kitami → (East Hokkaido Express Bus No. 8. On the way, you can board the Aurora drift ice ship, ride the JR "Ryuhyo Monogatari" train, and go sightseeing in Abashiri) → Kitami（泊） Take a sightseeing bus to see the sights of Abashiri, including Cape Notoro, which overlooks the drift ice, and the Abashiri Prison Museum. [Itinerary adjustments] If you take a flight that arrives at Memanbetsu Airport in the morning, you can board the East Hokkaido Express Bus No. 8 departing from Memanbetsu Airport at 9:30. |
| Day 3 |
Kitami → (East Hokkaido Express Bus No. 3, visiting Mount Iou and Lake Mashu No. 1 Observatory on the way) → Lake Akan Onsen（泊） Take a ride on the "Steam Locomotive Winter Wetlands" which only operates in winter and enjoy the spectacular views of the Kushiro Wetlands. Lake Mashu in winter is also a highlight. [Itinerary Adjustments] If you do not get off at Akanko Onsen, you can also travel by plane or JR from Memanbetsu Airport (arrival 16:40) or Abashiri Station (arrival 17:15). |
| Day 4 | Akanko Onsen → (bus) → Kushiro Airport → Haneda/New Chitose Airport In the early morning, why not try SIRI's "Morning Cafe Tour" or the early morning Lake Akan tour organized by the Lake Akan Tourism Association and search for the "frost flowers" that bloom on the lake's surface? [Itinerary arrangement] We also recommend taking a local bus from Akanko Onsen to Kushiro and enjoying sightseeing in the city. |
※The above model itinerary is based on transportation options available in February 2025.