What kind of place is Abashiri?
For first-time visitors also 
easy to understand
the basics of Abashiri

Welcome to delicious town Abashiri

Abashiri City is located on the northeastern coast of Hokkaido,
it is known for drift ice coming ashore.
Abashiri surrounded by nature and ingredients nurtured by the sea of Okhotsk.
See, touch and taste
Experience it with all five senses, including smells and sounds.

Abashiri climate and clothing

Abashiri is cold and it snows a lot.
The image may be strong.
On the contrary,
Abashiri has less snow than Hokkaido, and the cold weather is mild.
It is a town with a very comfortable climate.

Spring (March to May)

March

There is still snow left. March is also when heavy snow falls, known as "doka snow". There are rare snowstorms that stop all transportation. When the snow melts, the roads are often muddy, so it is safe to wear boots when walking outdoors. Of course, you can't do without a down jacket. (average maximum temperature 2.3°C / average minimum temperature -4.9°C)

April

Snow remains in the first half, and the temperature rises sharply in the second half. It can snow during Golden Week...even in April, jumpers are still necessary in Abashiri. (average maximum temperature 9.1°C / average minimum temperature 0.6°C)

May

The temperature fluctuates wildly, and if you think it snowed during consecutive holidays, there are rare summer days in the middle of the year. Plants sprout all at once, and the sunshine is long and strong. However, the mornings and evenings are still cold at this time of year. A long-sleeved jacket is required. (average maximum temperature 14.6°C / average minimum temperature 5.8°C)

Summer (June to August)

June

A comfortable season has arrived in Abashiri, which is not affected by the rainy season. It is the season for wild birds to build nests and raise children, and the flowers in the wild flower garden are in full bloom. (average maximum temperature 17.7°C / average minimum temperature 10.2°C)

July

July in Abashiri is relatively cool, but hot days are not uncommon. Various outdoor events are held, including the Abashiri Okhotsk Summer Festival, which includes the Ryuhyo Dance, the Abashiri Okhotsk Summer Festival, and the Abashiri Michi-no-Eki Yuichi Festival, where you can enjoy Abashiri gourmet food. (Average maximum temperature 21.4°C / Average minimum temperature 14.6°C)

August

There are hot summer days in the beginning of the month. After mid-August, Abashiri's short summer comes to an end, and the temperature becomes comfortable during the day, and long sleeves and jackets are required at night. In the sea, the catch of Okhotsk salmon, a specialty of Abashiri, peaks around this time. (Average maximum temperature 23.3°C / Average minimum temperature 16.6°C)

Autumn (September to November)

September

Sunny autumn days continue, but the aftermath of typhoons can bring long or heavy rain. The days are cool and comfortable during the day. At Lake Notoro Hana Tento Glasswort dyes the entire lake red, and at Tentozan (Average maximum temperature 20.7°C / Average minimum temperature 13.4°C)

October

Mornings and evenings can get quite cold. The autumn leaves of Abashiri are impressive as they melt into rivers and lakes. The produce of the field reaches its peak at this time, and you can enjoy the seasonal harvest. As the salmon run reaches its peak, Taikobo gather in Abashiri. By October, long sleeves are a must. (average maximum temperature 15.0°C / average minimum temperature 7.0°C)

November

In November, when the ice is thin and the first snow falls, you can wear winter clothes for your trip. In the middle of the year, oysters produced in Mokoto Lake and Lake Tofutsu are in full bloom. Abashiri's oysters are good and have a rich taste, so please enjoy them! (Average maximum temperature 7.6°C/average minimum temperature 0.4°C)

Winter (December to February)

December

From the beginning to the middle of the year, it becomes "Negetsu" (snow that does not melt until spring). When the daytime temperature drops below zero, winter is in full swing. At the end of the month, Lake Abashiri begins to freeze. Fleece and down jackets are recommended. It is safe to have thick gloves and a knit hat. Snowshoes are a must as the ground is often frozen. (average maximum temperature 0.7℃ / average minimum temperature -6.0℃)

January

The cold weather is severe, so gloves, a hat that covers your ears, and warm clothes are necessary when riding an icebreaker or playing outdoors. Non-slip rubber soles are best. The indoor heating is higher than in Honshu, and there are many people who wear tight clothing outside and light clothing indoors. Smelt fishing begins in the frozen Lake Abashiri from the beginning of the season. (Average maximum temperature -2.2°C / Average minimum temperature -8.9°C)

February

In February, when the drift ice comes ashore, the cold becomes even more severe. Also, winter is the season for outdoor activities. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing, walking skiing, drift ice kayaking, and fat biking are new ways to enjoy Abashiri's winter. The first day of drift ice berthing is around early to mid-February. During this period, events such as the Abashiri Okhotsk Drift Ice Festival and the Okhotsk Yatai Village are also held. (Average maximum temperature -2.0°C / Average minimum temperature -9.6°C)

Easy to understand when to see and when to eat
Abashiri Calendar

Events, seasonal foods, natural scenery,
can`t miss it, 
don't want to miss it.
Check out the charms of Abashiri only here.

  • Event calendar
  • Gourmet calendar
  • Flower calendar
  • April May June July August September October November December January February March
    Crabs at the dawn of drift ice are delicious! Abashiri
    Crab rice campaign

    Late April to late June

    Spring Crab Battle in Abashiri

    Mid May

    Okhotsk SEA TO SUMMIT

    Mid-June

    Hana Tento flower Park Advert Program

    Mid-June to late September

    Abashiri Okhotsk Summer Festival

    Late July

    Abashiri Road Station Evening Market Festival

    Late July

    Abashiri Seven Lucky Gods Festival

    Early September

    Abashiri/ Lake Notoro Grass Festival

    Mid September

    Tent Land Big Thanksgiving

    Mid September

    Opening Cape Notoro lighthouse

    Late September

    Okhotsk Abashiri Marathon

    Late September

    ABASHIRI Bar

    November

    Lake Abashiri smelt fishing

    January to mid-March

    Lake Abashiri Lake Smelt Fishing Championship Tournament

    Late January

    Okhotsk Yatai Village

    February

    Abashiri Okhotsk Drift Ice Festival

    February

    April May June July August September October November December January February March
  • April May June July August September October November December January February March
    ascetic

    Early April to mid-July

    Chinese yam

    April to August, November to March

    Kinki

    Early April to late January

    walleye pollack

    Early April to late January, mid-March to late March

    Atka mackerel

    Early April to late January, mid-March to late March

    snow crab

    Late April to mid-June

    Hokkigai

    Late April to late May, early August to late November

    clam

    Late April to late October, early December to late December

    >
    Scallop

    Late June to late October

    Thorn crab, oil crab

    Late June to late December

    Octopus

    Late June to late December

    Hokai Shrimp

    Early July to early August

    Japanese white radish

    Late July

    autumn wheat

    Late July to early August

    Karafutomasu

    Late July to early September

    King crab

    Early August to late December

    spring wheat

    Early August

    potato

    Early August

    beer barley

    Early August

    sugar beet

    September

    Salmon

    Early September to mid-November

    Shirauo

    Mid-September to late October

    Burdock

    Early October to mid-November

    sea urchin

    Early December to mid-August

    Smelt

    Late January to early March

    hair crab

    Late March to late May, late June to early August

    April May June July August September October November December January February March
  • April May June July August September October November December January February March
    Fukujusou

    Early April to mid-May

    Skunk cabbage

    Mid-April to mid-May

    Kitafist

    Mid-April to mid-May

    Ezoyamazakura

    early May

    Ezo purple azalea

    Mid-May to late June

    Sendai tang

    Mid-May to late June

    Black-eyed iris

    Early June to mid-July

    Daylily

    Mid-June to late July

    Ezosukashi lily

    Mid-June to late July

    Hermanus

    Early July to late August

    Nohana Iris

    July

    Potato

    July

    Ezokawara dianthus

    Early July to mid-August

    Sun Flower

    Mid-July to early August, late September

    Glasswort

    Mid-August to Mid-October

    Phlox

    Mid-August to Mid-September

    Cosmos

    September

    April May June July August September October November December January February March
  • Abashiri specialties good for souvenirs

    In addition to marine products, we introduce a wide range of specialty products, from cute goods to “prison goods” that are typical of Abashiri.
    Don't forget to check out the specialty stores where you can purchase outstanding seafood, crab and scallop kamaboko, and Nipopo dolls.

  • Abashiri's local character, Nipone!

    With a wooden carved "Nipopo doll" and a drift ice angel "Clione", with a badge of Abashiri city's flower "Ezomurasaki azalea" on his chest, he flies around with a cloak on his back and patrols the peace of Abashiri today.

Q&A / Pamphlet

We have collected your questions and tourist brochures.
Please use it for your trip to Abashiri.