Three days to tour East Hokkaido:
Drift ice and the magnificent nature of Shiretoko and Akan Arrive at Memanbetsu Airport and depart from Tancho Kushiro Airport

The winter of East Hokkaido boasts numerous sights to see. The best way to visit them is to rent a car. Start your journey from Memanbetsu Airport and head to your first destination: Abashiri. On the Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing & Icebreaker Ship Aurora, you can closely observe the drift ice getting crushed as the ship sails through the icy waters. On your way to the next destination, Shiretoko, you can make a stop at Ryuhyo Tenbo Hiroba to admire the endless view of ice floes or can see the frozen landscape of the Oshinkoshin Waterfall. The fall is one of the eight best scenic spots of Shiretoko and is on the list of Japan's top 100 waterfalls.

After dining at your accommodation, go out again for nighttime snowshoeing. The adventure in the snowy woods will make the hot spring water of Utoro Onsen feel even better.

On the second day, rent snowshoes at the Shiretoko Nature Center and go on a walk along the trails leading to the Furepe Falls. You can admire magnificent natural environments along the way, including the snow-covered Shiretoko mountain range and the Sea of Okhotsk filled with countless ice floes. You may even encounter Ezo deer and foxes if you're lucky. The falls will be frozen during the coldest months from late January, impressing visitors with its breathtaking view. For the next attraction, let's set off for the Lake Akan Onsen area. Lake Akan, part of the Akan-Mashu National Park, is another sight to visit during the winter.

Lake Akan Ainu Kotan, which features the culture and history of the Ainu, will add a unique and memorable experience to your visit. Stay the final night near the lake, and enjoy a relaxing soak in a hot spring to prepare for the last day.

Get up early on the third day and join the Morning Coffee Tour to catch the sunrise at Lake Akan. You can walk on the frozen lake and enjoy a cup of hot coffee at the best location, where you can watch the sunrise over the shimmering lake and the gorgeous silhouette of Mt. Oakan. After the best morning coffee experience of your life, head to the Tsurui Itoh Tancho Sanctuary to see elegant red-crowned cranes.

The trip is coming to an end, but we still have a few places to visit. At the Kushiro Washo Market near Kushiro Station, enjoy the tasty rice bowl that you can top with seafood of your choice, or shop for souvenirs at Kushiro Fisherman’s Wharf MOO. With all the incredible memories you made on the trip, say goodbye to East Hokkaido's winter and fly back home from Tancho Kushiro Airport.