Activity
JR Sightseeing Train Drift Ice Story
A very popular tourist train only available in winter
The Ryuhyo Monogatari train is a winter-only tourist train that runs on the JR Senmo Main Line, known as one of Hokkaido's most scenic lines. It usually runs from late January to early March, making two round trips a day between Abashiri Station and Shiretoko-Shari Station (about an hour one way) along the coastline of the Sea of Okhotsk, where the drift ice arrives.
The greatest attraction is the breathtaking view of the drift ice fields and Shiretoko mountain range that can be seen from the train windows. In order to allow you to enjoy this precious scenery at your leisure, the train slows down in some sections. Also, while trains 1 and 3 are stopping, you can see the Sea of Okhotsk approaching up close at Kitahama station, and on trains 2 and 4 you can enjoy shopping at the roadside station adjacent to Hamakoshimizu Station.
The train is a two-car diesel train consisting of the "Northern Hokkaido: Blessings of Drift Ice" and "Eastern Hokkaido: Blessings of the Forest," and the interior is made of wood and wood grain materials to give you a sense of Hokkaido's natural beauty.In addition, on board, the local tourism volunteer group "MOT Rail Club" will provide heartfelt guidance from the train window and sell limited edition goods, adding color to your journey.
Reserved seat tickets can be purchased at major JR stations nationwide or through the online reservation service "Eki-net."
Points
Recommended points from the person in charge
The rows of seats and box seats on the Sea of Okhotsk side are reserved seats, so if you want to enjoy the view of the drift ice even more, we recommend the reserved seats.
Basic information
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Period
2026 Operation Period: Saturday, January 31st to Sunday, March 1st, 2026, Saturday, March 7th and Sunday, March 8th -
Reservation/reception
Tickets can be purchased at major JR stations nationwide (Midori no Madoguchi) or through the internet reservation service "Eki-net." -
Business hours
<Timetable>
No. 1 Departs Abashiri Station at 9:50 and arrives Shiretoko-Shari Station at 10:41
No. 3 Departs Abashiri Station at 13:04 and arrives Shiretoko-Shari Station at 13:55
No. 2 Departs Shiretoko-Shari Station at 11:40 and arrives at Abashiri Station at 12:44
No. 4 Departs Shiretoko-Shari Station at 14:10 and arrives at Abashiri Station at 15:14 -
Price
(One way between Abashiri and Shiretoko Shari) Ticket: 1,040 yen for adults, 520 yen for children Reserved seat ticket: 840 yen for adults, 420 yen for children *Unreserved seats can be boarded with just a ticket.
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Required time
Approximately 1 hour (one way)
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Access
Approximately 20km from Memanbetsu Airport to JR Abashiri Station, approximately 25 minutes by car, or approximately 35 minutes by Abashiri bus
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Others
Services may be suspended due to bad weather, etc., so please check the official JR Hokkaido website for information on operating status.
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Related Sites
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Related Sites
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Place
JR Abashiri Station to JR Shiretoko-Shari Station
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Organizer
JR Hokkaido
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