The ice floating in the blue sea is like a hoard of shining jewels.
It’s constantly changing shape creates a new and beautiful vista every single day.
Drift ice walking is a unique experience which allows you to explore the floating ice while wearing a specialised suit.
Our trained guides will safely lead you through the ice floes while the dry suits keep you warm and protected with their high heat retention and buoyancy, allowing you to participate without any worries.
And the real thrill of our "Drift Ice Walk” is not just the walking but the “360°” element, allowing you to take in every angle of this icy world.
In addition to the panoramic views of ice spreading all around you, you can also dive into the world under the ice and view the chilly waters through specialised aqua scopes.
Maybe you’ll even be able to meet the clione. A tiny floating gastropod which travels with the seasonal drift ice as a unique part of this wintry ecosystem.
This is a special tour which can only be experienced for 1.5 months during the coldest season of the year when the ice is nice and solid.
Since it’s establishment in 1992, Picchio has been running guided nature tours alongside it’s active conservation of Japanese black bears in Karuizawa, Nagano prefecture. We brought these 30 years of guiding experience and wildlife expertise to the spectacular wilderness of Shiretoko in 2019. And so our drift ice tour is not just walking but an adventure guided by nature loving experts.
Drift ice is an essential part of Shiretoko's ecosystem. We want everyone who visits the area to understand the true nature of the drift ice. Such as where is drift ice born and why does it come to Shiretoko? And what kind of creatures live amongst the icy waters?
Be fully immersed in a winter wonderland. Clamber among the ice, float in the slushy ice pools, peek beneath the water’s surface with specialised aqua scopes and keep your eyes peeled above for the eagles that may be soaring through the sky. This is a tour that really embraces the concept of 360.
2/1-3/31,2024
*Depending on the conditions of the drift ice, we may cancel the tour.
6000 JPY (for both adults and children)
*We only accept cash payment at the start of the tour.
If you are staying at any of the Kitakobushi group hotels, you can pay at the check-out.
8people/ 1 guide
★★★★★（2/5）
walking distance about 1km
We will pick you up at the lobby of your accommodation or the road station: "Drive Resting Area, Utoro-Shirietoku". (Utoro area only)
The meeting time depends on the meeting place requested.
For detailed meeting times, please confirm below.
15 minutes before the starting time of the tour.
We may not be able to make the exact agreed pick-up time due to other guests’ situations.
Booking
Please book by 9:00 pm of the day before the tour day you would like to join.
Unfortunately, there are no showers in the changing area. If you wear a dry suit, you will not get very wet so, you should not need to take a shower. If you wish to take a bath after the tour, please use the day spa at a local hotel.
◆Hotels in the Utoro area with day-trip hot spring baths