Drift Ice

Drift ice is produced in the Amur River and slowly moves south. By around the end of January it reaches the Shiretoko coast, and after that it gradually fills the Sea of Okhotsk.
When the drift ice arrives at Utoro, all the fishing boats and other vessels need to be pulled up onto land so that they are not crushed by pressure from the ice. It is said that the steep cliffs of Shiretoko were carved by the undulating action of the drift ice grinding hard against them.

Scenes of the drift ice around Utoro can be seen from The Virgin’s Tears (Frepe Falls) and Cape Puyuni.
Those of you who wish to see the sun setting over the sea of drift ice are suggested to go to the area around Horobetsu Bridge. It is popular among professional and amateur photographers as a perfect spot to take photos.

At Utoro you can also touch the drift ice, walk on the drift ice, or dive around the drift ice. There are lots of drift ice experiences that you can try.