Travel Drift ice season starts in Hokkaido

thomas · 25 Jan 2026

Abashiri City in Hokkaido declared 22 January as the season's first day of drift ice after it was confirmed from an observation deck. A broad white line could be seen stretching across the sea from the Mount Tento observatory, signalling the arrival of the region's characteristic winter ice. City officials said the ice was visible to the naked eye at 1:20 p.m. that day. Until 2025, the Abashiri Local Meteorological Observatory recorded the first appearance of drift ice each year, but the practice was later ended as weather satellites and other technologies made local observation less necessary.

From 2026, the Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum has taken over the role of monitoring and announcing the first sighting. A tourist from Taiwan praised the scenery, saying Hokkaido is famous for its views and that it was "wonderful." Taguchi Kei, president of the Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum, said the drift ice appeared suddenly and described the moment as "a level of excitement I've never felt before." Compared with past data recorded by the meteorological observatory through 2025, Abashiri's first drift ice day this season was in line with the average, and came 24 days earlier than in 2025.

Drift Ice Season Begins in Hokkaido

Abashiri City in Hokkaido announced the season’s “first day of drift ice” on January 22nd after the ice was confirmed from an observation deck.

newsonjapan.com

Travel Drift ice season starts in Hokkaido

thomas

Unswerving cyclist

Drift Ice Season Begins in Hokkaido

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