Breaking ice up to one meter thick, the boat cruises on the frozen Sea of　Okhotsk. You can often see white-tailed sea eagles and seals from on board.

Large and small ice sculptures and snow figures add to the excitement during winter in Abashiri. Wide variety of events to enjoy! At night the ice sculptures are lit up in a rainbow of colored lights and turn the area into a world of fantasy; a view that is quite different from daytime.
Details (Japanese only)

A long line of vendors set up by many of the restaurants in Abashiri serve local Abashiri specialties at low cost. You can barbecue and eat on the spot too.
Come and enjoy Yatai Mura in the middle of winter.

View the drift ice that washes up on the shores of Okhotsk, from the windows of the Ryuhyo Monogatari train that runs along the coast of Okhotsk.The train comes in two different designs, one in blue, which represents the blue Sea of Okhotsk, and one in white, which represents the drift ice.
Ryuhyo Monogatari runs between Abashiri and Shiretoko-Shari, and if you board from Abashiri Station, the train makes a ten-minute stop at Kitahama Station, where you can enjoy the view of the Sea of Okhotsk covered in drift ice. If you board from Shiretoko-Shari Station, the train will stop for twenty minutes at Hama Koshimizu Station, where you can enjoy shopping at the road station.
*The drift ice nears the coast at different times each year, so you may not be able to see it when you board the train.

Take in the gorgeous view of the Sea of Okhotsk and drift ice from the 100 meter long tube and bobsled course, or from the slide made of ice. Both of these are typical outdoor activities of snow country, and are fun for both adults and children.
*Special events are held on the weekends. (scheduled)

Between Abashiri and Memanbetsu, the greatest skunk cabbage colony spreads over an area of 52 hectares.
After the snow melts in late April, they begin to put out beautiful white flowers.

The way to enjoy the short summer in Abashiri is through the citizen's favorite "Abashiri Okhotsk Summer Festival."
The central shopping arcade becomes the festival site where there are "Beer Festivals", and "Ryuhyo Dance", where the citizens dress in similar yukatas or costumes and dance together. There is also a "Grand Music March" where elementary to high school brass bands play as they march through the streets. At the fireworks that are held at the port, you can feel the magnitude of the 30 inch firecrackers that are set off and split the Okhotsk sea and sky with sound and beautiful colors.

rochon Fire Festival is held every year in late July. The object of the exotic festival is to mimic the dances of the northern people who lived on the continent and comfort the spirits, as well as pray for a good harvest.

Abashiri Prison, a famous tourist attraction in Abashiri, is the starting line for the marathon. As to the full marathon, marathon runner run to Lake Omagari adorned with over 1.5 million sunflowers via Cape Notoro famous as scenic sight for movies.
There is also 5 km and 3 km course. Young and old of both sexes can enjoy the marathon.
After you finish the marathon, you can enjoy yourself at the Umi and Daichi harvest festivals that are held simultaneously. Those who complete the marathon can get a medal with Abashiri Prison engraved on the back. Marathon is held in end of September.

A harvest festival of thanksgiving for the abundant blessings harvested from the land and sea, which is made up from the sea of Okhotsk and five lakes, will be held at Omagari Lakeside Park.

A winter favorite in Hokkaido, where a hole is drilled into the vast white frozen ice of Lake Abashiri, and one fishes for smelt. Smelt are great grilled or in tempura. Induction cookers can be used for \200 for 10 minutes. Purchase a tempura set (\500) and cook and taste the fish you caught on the spot.