*This is an archive of the email newsletter distributed on May 14, 2024.

Hello, this is the Abashiri City Tourism Association.
This e-mail newsletter is sent to people who requested e-mails by filling out the Abashiri Charm Discovery Survey when traveling to Abashiri.
 
This is the fifth e-mail newsletter.
We will provide you with the latest information on Abashiri, so please use it when planning your trip.

1. Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park

The best time to see the Shibazakura at Higashimokoto Park is expected to be from May 15th to May 25th. The park consists of three sides: a south-facing slope, a west-facing slope, and a flat surface, and being surrounded by the vibrant pink colors will provide you with an extraordinary experience.

There is also a sightseeing car that lets you enjoy a panoramic view on the way to the top, go-karts while looking at the moss pinks, a fishing pond that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and a day spa where you can relax, so the whole family can have a relaxing time.

The Shibazakura Music Stage is also held every Sunday.
 
Admission fee
Adults 700 yen, elementary school students 300 yen

↓↓Related sites here↓↓

Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park (official website)

Access from Abashiri

2. Abashiri Nature Cruise

The Abashiri Nature Cruise, where you can see whales up close, is being held from April 20th to October 31st.

Fee
Adults: 8,800 yen, elementary school students: 4,400 yen

↓↓Related sites here↓↓

Abashiri Nature Cruise

3. Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum

This tourist facility is themed around drift ice and the creatures of the Sea of Okhotsk. There is the "Experience the World of Drift Ice" where you can touch real drift ice, the "Drift Ice Fantasy Theater" where you are enveloped in a screen of images that spreads out as far as the eye can see, and the rooftop "Observation Terrace" from which you can look out over the Sea of Okhotsk, Lake Abashiri, the Shiretoko Mountain Range, and the cityscape of Abashiri.
At the restaurant Dolce Aqua on the second floor, you can enjoy pizza and pasta made with plenty of Okhotsk ingredients. The drift ice soft serve ice cream at Cafe de Clione on the first floor is very popular, with its salted caramel flavor made with salt from the Sea of Okhotsk.

↓↓Related sites here↓↓

Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum

4. Abashiri Spring Festival Campaign - Until Saturday, May 31, 2025

This campaign allows you to fully enjoy the seasonal ingredients of Abashiri as the drift ice has gone and spring has truly arrived. Creative dishes using plenty of seasonal spring ingredients (non-seafood options accepted) including crab and seasonal fish are being offered at 28 restaurants in the city.
In addition, a stamp rally will be held at the same time, where if you collect three stamps by dining at participating stores, staying at hotels in the city, or shopping at stores with posters, you will be entered into a lottery to win delicious Abashiri specialties, including seasonal hairy crab.
Please enjoy the seasonal flavor of Abashiri this spring.

↓↓Related sites here↓↓

Abashiri Spring Seasonal Festival Campaign

5. Spring Crab Battle in Abashiri, Sunday, May 25, 2025

Crabs after the ice floe has cleared are delicious!
This year, the famous "Crab Throwing" event will be expanded to four times! Hairy crabs will fly through the air, and those chosen by lottery will have a passionate attempt to win a crab.
To participate in the crab throwing, you will need to purchase a ticket (1,200 yen in advance / 1,500 yen on the day) and vote for the crab throwing session of your choice. After that, 100 people will be selected by lottery to participate in each session, for a total of 400 people.
Even if you don't win the lottery to participate in the crab throwing, there will be a sale of boiled crabs on the beach, a special lottery where you can win crabs and hotel accommodation vouchers in the city, and food and drink booths run by local businesses, so you can still enjoy "hairy crabs after the ice floe has cleared."

↓↓Related sites here↓↓

Spring Crab Battle in Abashiri

6. Bicycle rental

May and June are great seasons for cycling. The tourist information center at the roadside station "Ryuhyo Kaido Abashiri" rents out bicycles, offering a variety of options, including city bikes, cross-road bikes, and electrically assisted bicycles.
The photo shows Cape Notoro Lighthouse, from which you can get a panoramic view of the Sea of Okhotsk from the tour around the cape.
We also introduce other recommended cycling courses, so why not try cycling along your favorite course amidst the fresh greenery of spring and early summer?

↓↓Related sites here↓↓

Abashiri City Tourism Association Bicycle Rental

7. Asparagus harvesting experience

At Omagari Lakeside Park in Abashiri City, a para harvesting experience is being held from May 15th to mid-June.
The experience fee includes gloves, foot covers, and a set of harvesting tools, so you can come empty-handed. You can take home the asparagus you harvest for 200 yen per 100g.
Reservations are required and can be made up until 5:00 PM the day before.
Guests staying at hotels in the city can receive special benefits by applying through their hotel.
Please check the website for details.

↓↓Related sites here↓↓

Asparagus Harvesting Experience in the Delicious Town of Abashiri

8. Abashiri Restaurant Vacancy Navigator

During the tourist season, it can be difficult to find a restaurant with available seating for dinner. You came to Abashiri to try some delicious food, but no matter how many times you call, they're all full... For times like these, we've released the "Abashiri Restaurant Vacancy Navigator," which lets you check availability in real time from your smartphone. Please make use of it.

Abashiri Restaurant Vacancy Navigator

What did you think of this seasonal Abashiri tourist information?
We look forward to your visit.