Visiting Shiretoko and Abashiri in northeastern Hokkaido offers a chance to experience extreme winter landscapes, coastal drift ice, and preserved historical sites. Travelers often access this remote region by taking the train from Abashiri Station to Shiretoko Shari Station, or by renting a car to drive along the scenic coastal routes. The area is famous for winter drift ice cruises on the Okhotsk Sea, snowshoe trekking on frozen lakes, and natural hot spring resorts.
Boarding an Icebreaker Cruise with Jin from Japan
Jin from Japan takes viewers aboard an icebreaker cruise to experience the frozen sea of northeastern Hokkaido. The video showcases the ship crushing thick blocks of drift ice as it navigates the cold waters of the Okhotsk Sea. Passengers stand on the deck to observe the massive ice formations up close.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Okhotsk Sea Drift Ice Cruise
- 💡 Best for: Winter Adventurers, Nature Lovers
Staying at KITAKOBUSHI SHIRETOKO Hotel & Resort
This vlog documents a winter journey starting at Abashiri Station, taking a train with drift ice views to Shiretoko Shari Station, and arriving at the Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal. The creator checks into the KITAKOBUSHI SHIRETOKO Hotel & Resort and books the Okhotsk Club DX Twin Room with an open-air bath for 102,410 yen. The tour features the hotel lobby, the Drift Ice Terrace foot bath, and the Okhotsk Lounge. It highlights the public hot spring bath, the sauna facilities, a buffet dinner with local food, and morning drift ice views with specialized blend coffee.
- 📍 Featured Spot: KITAKOBUSHI SHIRETOKO Hotel & Resort
- 💡 Best for: Luxury Travelers, Onsen Enthusiasts
Ice Trekking and Dog Sledding in Eastern Hokkaido with Drew Arellano
Drew Arellano from Biyahe Ni Drew explores the winter landscape of Eastern Hokkaido in this full episode. The journey begins with ice trekking across the frozen surface of Lake Abashiri. Drew catches fresh smelt directly from the ice holes for a local lunch. Next, the host visits the iconic Abashiri Prison Museum to learn about the history of the facility. The winter adventure concludes with an exciting dog-sledding experience alongside the locals.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Lake Abashiri
- 💡 Best for: Adventure Seekers, Culture Enthusiasts
Wildlife and Nature Trails in Shiretoko National Park
This video introduces the Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on Hokkaido’s northeastern coast. The footage showcases the pristine forests, wetlands, and mountains of the Shiretoko Goko Lakes, where wild deer, foxes, and brown bears live. Viewers see the natural hot springs of Kamuiwakka Hot Falls and the panoramic views from Mount Rausu, the highest peak in the area. The surrounding waters provide opportunities for marine sightseeing cruises and sea kayaking. The video also highlights locally sourced seafood available on the peninsula.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Shiretoko Goko Lakes
- 💡 Best for: Nature Lovers, Hikers
Van Life and Natural Hot Springs in Rausu and Shari with Ryan Bednar
Creator Ryan Bednar documents his winter van life journey through Hokkaido’s lesser-known natural landscapes. The travelogue covers stops in Akan-Mashu National Park before heading to Rausu and Shari on the Shiretoko Peninsula. Ryan films wild eagles flying over the coastal drift ice and spots red foxes in the snow. He bathes in free, open-air natural hot springs surrounded by forests. The winter trip ends with a trek around the active volcanic slopes of Asahidake.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Shiretoko Peninsula
- 💡 Best for: Solo Travelers, Van Life Enthusiasts
Two-Day Road Trip: Seasonal Cuisine Amisai and Oshinkoshin Falls
This video details a three-day, two-night road trip starting from Haneda Airport to Abashiri and Shiretoko. The creators dine on local seafood at Seasonal Cuisine Amisai and buy traditional fish cakes at Otani Kamaboko Shop. They drive to Shiretoko National Park, stop by Oshinkoshin Falls, and visit Roadside Station Utoro Sirietok. The itinerary also features regional stops at Roadside Station Shari, Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park, and Gelateria Rimo for gelato. The journey concludes with a peaceful visit to Lake Abashiri.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Seasonal Cuisine Amisai
- 💡 Best for: Foodies, Road Trippers
Abashiri to Kushiro: Drift Ice Boats and Ryuhyo Glass Museum
Torry Travel documents a winter solo journey through eastern Hokkaido starting in February 2025. The video begins with a ride on the Drift Ice Sightseeing Boat in Abashiri, followed by visits to the Abashiri Prison Museum and the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum. The creator stops at the Ryuhyo Glass Museum and has a sushi dinner at Nakazushi. After taking the train to Kushiro, they watch Japanese cranes at the Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary and eat a customized seafood bowl at Washo Market. The trip finishes with scenic trails through Kushiro Marsh and a sunset view at Nusamai Bridge.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Ryuhyo Glass Museum
- 💡 Best for: Solo Travelers, Nature Lovers
Whale Watching and Bear Cruises in Rausu with Gibbon Travelogue
Lilian and Gilbert from Gibbon Travelogue outline a three-day road trip exploring the Shiretoko Peninsula along Route 334. They highlight the logistics of staying in Utoro versus Rausu and navigate the walking trails around the Shiretoko Five Lakes. The couple books a bear-watching cruise from Rausu and later joins a dedicated whale-watching cruise to spot orcas and fin whales in the open ocean. They stop for a seafood lunch in Rausu, view the sunset at Cape Puyuni, and have dinner at Woot Burger in Utoro. The vlog finishes with final reflections on their wildlife sightings.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Rausu Coastal Cruises
- 💡 Best for: Wildlife Enthusiasts, Road Trippers
Driving from Abashiri to Kawayu Onsen and Lake Kussharo
The creators of Bangkok Life document day seven of their ten-day rental car road trip through Hokkaido. They drive from Abashiri to Lake Kussharo to find a free open-air rock bath along the lakeside, where swans swim in the warm waters. The route continues to the active sulfur vents of Mt. Iou, which resembles a steamy hell valley. In the evening, they check into Kawayu Onsen to enjoy the highly acidic thermal springs. The day ends with a dinner of fresh Hokkaido seafood at a local izakaya.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Lake Kussharo
- 💡 Best for: Road Trippers, Hot Spring Lovers
Off-The-Beaten-Path Road Trip Across Shiretoko Peninsula
This travel vlog by D&R focuses on a road trip adventure across the rugged Shiretoko Peninsula in Eastern Hokkaido. The creators drive along the dramatic coastal cliffs of the peninsula to showcase the region’s untouched wilderness. They document the drifting sea ice along the shore and stop at outdoor hot springs located right by the sea. The video highlights sightings of wild brown bears roaming near the roads and coastlines. The road trip covers remote locations stretching from Utoro to Rausu.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Shiretoko Peninsula
- 💡 Best for: Adventurers, Road Trippers
