3-Day Abashiri Winter Itinerary by a Local

Planning a winter trip to Eastern Hokkaido and wondering if it’s still doable without a car? Don’t worry, I’ve mapped out the perfect route for you.

Hi, I’m Yuuka! I grew up in Hokkaido and have helped many travelers explore this beautiful, snowy region. And if you’re looking for a destination that’s both public-transportation friendly and full of winter charm, Abashiri is one of my go-to recommendations.

This 3-day winter itinerary is designed to help you experience the best of Abashiri—drift ice cruises, museums, and cozy hot springs. With this itinerary, you’ll get a great mix of cultural discovery and unique winter activities.

I’ve made sure everything in this guide is accessible by public transportation (and I don’t recommend driving in winter unless you’re a pro on icy roads!).

Let’s dive in and plan your Abashiri winter adventure!

Day 1: Getting to Abashiri

Arriving at Memanbetsu Airport

Your trip begins at Memambetsu Airport, the nearest airport to Abashiri. The airport is directly connected to New Chitose Airport, Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya.

Once you arrive at the airport, stop by the information counter at the airport and get the Abashiri Free Pass. This handy ticket gives you unlimited access to local buses for 2 days (2,000 JPY) or 3 days (3,000 JPY).

Buses are timed with flight arrivals, so you won’t need to worry about long waits. The ride into town takes about 40 minutes.

Where to stay in Abashiri: Hokuten no Oka

For a warm and peaceful place to stay, I always recommend Hokuten no Oka Tsuruga Resort. l love the cozy wooden design that gives you that classic winter lodge feel.

Their buffet meals use fresh local ingredients with a light French twist. The open-air onsen is refreshing, but what I love most is the stone sauna, where you lie on heated rocks to sweat and reset. It’s my go-to spot to detox and slow down.

Their buffet dinners are amazing, using seasonal ingredients, local flavors, and a subtle French influence. And the open-air onsen feels so good in winter. My favorite part? The stone sauna, where you can lie down and warm up from the inside out!

To get there by bus, get off at Yobito Eki Mae (about 20 minutes from the airport). If you’re carrying luggage, I recommend asking the hotel in advance for a pickup.

Day 2: Museum Hopping

When it’s below freezing outside (which it often is in Abashiri!), spending the day indoors can be the best way to go. Abashiri has a few interesting museums that are all easy to reach with the Abashiri Free Pass. No car or icy driving needed!

These three museums are located close to each other and offer a mix of history, nature, and indigenous culture. What’s better than learning about the region while staying warm?

They are all on the same bus line, the Kanko Shisetsu Meguri Line (観光施設めぐり線) Check the official schedule here.

Abashiri Prison Museum

You may have heard of Abashiri Prison thanks to the popular manga “Golden Kamuy” featuring Hokkaido’s history and the indigenous Ainu culture. (The manga is quite violent… but it’s really well made. Highly recommended!)

This outdoor museum preserves real prison buildings used from the late 1800s to the 1980s and tells the powerful story of how inmates were once used to develop the region’s infrastructure during the Meiji era.

Some exhibits have English signage so you can learn more. You can walk through the cell blocks, see period artifacts, and even try a “prison lunch” served in a building that once used to be the prisoners’ dining hall!

Information

• Open hours: 9 am – 5 pm
• Admission: 1,500 JPY
• By bus: 10 min by the Kanko Shisetsu Meguri Line (sightseeing bus) from JR Abashiri Station
• By car: 7 min from Abashiri city center, parking free
• Official website

Drift Ice Museum

This museum is the perfect place to learn about Abashiri’s most famous winter attraction, drift ice.

Every year, massive sheets of ice arrive from Siberia, floating down the Sea of Okhotsk along Abashiri. They fill up the coastline with a beautiful white landscape.

At the Drift Ice Museum, you’ll get a deeper understanding of this natural event and the marine life that lives beneath the ice.

My favorite part is the -15°C drift ice room, where you can step inside a freezer-like space and touch real drift ice! Upstairs, the rooftop observatory offers panoramic views of Abashiri city, Lake Notoro, and the coastline. There’s also a small cafe and gift shop.

Information

• Open hours: 8.30 am – 6 pm
• Admission: 900 JPY
• By bus: The next stop from Abashiri Prison Museum (5 min)
• By car: 10 min from Abashiri city center, parking free
• Official website

Museum of Northern Peoples

The Museum of Northern Peoples is a small but well-organized museum on Ainu, the indigenous peoples of Hokkaido and other northern regions in the world, including Inuit, Sámi, and more.

The displays highlight clothing, tools, and traditions that were shaped by cold, snowy environments. They offer a free audio guide in English.

Information

• Open hours: 9.30 am – 4.30 pm
• Admission: 550 JPY
• By bus: The next stop from Drift Ice Museum (2 min)
• By car: 10 min from Abashiri city center, parking free
• Official website

Day 3: Icebreaker Ship in Okhotsk Sea

If you’re in Abashiri in winter, you can’t miss experiencing the drift ice. The best way to do that is by taking the Aurora icebreaker ship!

From late January to March, the Aurora sails onto the frozen Sea of Okhotsk, cracking through fields of drift ice. You’ll hear the sound of ice breaking beneath the ship, see the vast white landscape, and might spot sea eagles and seals.

Each cruise lasts about an hour, and there are usually 4 to 5 sailings per day. The tickets sold out quickly, so make sure to book well in advance.

You can reach the Aurora Terminal by taking the Memambetsu Airport Line bus. Next to the port, there’s a small restaurant and souvenir shop where you can warm up or pick up gifts before heading to your next destination.

Your next steps

I hope this 3-day Abashiri winter itinerary inspired your trip planning!

Where to go next after Abashiri? My top pick would be Shiretoko, where you can even walk on drift ice with a guided tour. Or if you want to warm up in a small cozy onsen town, Akan is my favorite one.

If you have more days to spend, you can visit all the major winter destinations in Eastern Hokkaido in 10 days or 7 days.

Tight on a budget? No worries, I also have a budget-friendly winter trip itinerary without a car.

And check out local winter festivals.

Happy trip planning!