Places to go Memanbetsu, Abashiri, Kitami (Memanbetsu Airport)
Something new to see with each of the four seasons at the Sea of Okhotsk coastal area
The Sea of Okhotsk coast is famous for the drift ice that comes pushing in from Siberia in winter. The main hub here is Memanbetsu Airport, the entryway to eastern Hokkaido. Many tourists from Japan and abroad come here to see the drift ice up close on tour boats. At Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park, the hills bloom with a profusion of moss pink, creating a veritable carpet of color that is sure to wow you! The Abashiri Prison Museum is another popular destination that is globally unusual in that the museum exhibits take place out of doors, letting you examine important cultural properties while taking in the seasonal views. Kitami flourished as the center of agriculture in the Okhotsk region. The town is also famous for producing Japan's highest volume of onions and having the most yakiniku (barbecue) restaurants in Hokkaido.
