The Ultimate Early Summer Trip to Abashiri! Nature Cruises and Local Deep-dives on a Stirring 2-Day Expedition.

The Abashiri Nature Cruise offers the chance to observe the rich ecosystem of the Sea of Okhotsk, including whales and dolphins, right from the deck of the boat.
Join in the thrills by checking in at the Abashiri Tourist Information Center inside the Roadside Station “Ryuhyo Kaido Abashiri” and hop on a cruise ship headed to the sea.
Cruises in early summer sail for about 2.5 to 3 hours in search of whales. Among them, the chance to see the enormous fin whale up close is a rare experience, even on a global scale.

Whales feed on krill.
That’s why spotting flocks of shearwaters as they feed on krill is a likely indicator that your next whale encounter is near.

You may also spot dolphins or even a flock of 50,000 shearwaters.
The thrill of that encounter is sure to become an unforgettable memory of your journey.

Reservations for the nature cruise must be made by 12:00 noon on the day before departure.
Book early to get ahead as spots fill up quickly.

For lunch you’ll head up to the 3rd floor of the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum located at the summit of Mount Tento.
Here you’ll find Dolce Aqua, a renowned casual Italian restaurant.
Once inside you’ll find the windows reveal truly picture-perfect views of Lake Abashiri, Lake Notoro, the Sea of Okhotsk, and, on clear days, even the Shiretoko mountain range.

Crowd favorites here include the pasta loaded with delights from the Sea of Okhotsk and freshly baked pizzas from the in-house oven. Many plates combine several kinds of seafood in one, offering flavors that truly capture the essence of Abashiri’s rich harvest.

In addition to seafood, the restaurant also takes pride in its meat dishes, featuring Wagyu beef from Tsubetsu Town and free-range cattle raised on the open fields of Abashiri. Sake-lovers will be happy to hear that a sake brewery is scheduled to open nearby in the summer of 2026, meaning you can count on upcoming sake pairings.

After filling up on lunch, it’s time for dessert at Café de Clione on the first floor.
The café is run by Rimo, a gelato specialty shop that won first prize at an international gelato competition.
Their salted caramel soft serve comes highly recommended by locals. The gentle sweetness of caramel paired with a touch of salt from the Sea of Okhotsk creates a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.

If time allows, head up to the rooftop observatory. The grand scenery of early-summer Hokkaido is sure to gently soothe your soul.

Head back down to the first floor and explore the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum, which highlights drift ice and the marine life of the Sea of Okhotsk.

The Drift Ice Underwater Live exhibit recreates the sensation of diving beneath the sea.
There are also plenty of interactive displays where you can learn more about drift ice.
Highlights include the Drift Ice Fantasy Theater, which showcases powerful 4K footage of drift ice and the world beneath it on a massive five-screen setup. The museum is full of engaging and immersive exhibits.

Among the highlights is the Drift Ice Experience Terrace, a room kept at -15°C where you can touch real drift ice. One of the most popular activities here is the Shibare Experience, where you swing a wet towel and watch it freeze solid.
While warm coats are available to borrow, you might also choose to step inside in your summer clothes to truly feel the harshness of an Abashiri winter.

Wrap up your first day with a toast at Sushi Bar End.
This popular spot, loved by both locals and travelers, offers sushi made with freshly caught seasonal seafood from the Sea of Okhotsk, all at reasonable prices, in a casual yet modern setting.
Drop in here for a chance to kick back in ease, whether dining solo or with a group.

The sushi served here is crafted with true dedication, one piece at a time.
Highlights include rich crab miso served without any seasoning, gunkan rolls piled high with overflowing Bafun sea urchin, and fish and shellfish caught fresh that very morning in the Sea of Okhotsk.
Each piece bursts with freshness and succulent tastes of delights you’ll only find in Eastern Hokkaido.

They also serve local specialties such as Ryuhyo Draft, Abashiri’s signature beer, and Kimi ga Sode, a sake brewed with locally grown sake rice.
With a wide variety of alcoholic beverages available, it’s worth asking the staff for recommendations to find the perfect pairing for your meal.

Steak and rare beef cutlets made with Shiretoko beef, a variety known for its melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, are also local specialties unique to Eastern Hokkaido.
After indulging in the flavors of Abashiri, take a good rest to prepare for tomorrow’s cycling adventure.

Start the morning with a hearty bite at Yokoyama Kamaboko Shop, a traditional fish cake shop in Abashiri with over 70 years of history.
Here, fish freshly caught from nearby waters is carefully hand-crafted into kamaboko using select ingredients, preserving time-honored methods.

Many know Abashiri as the birthplace of frozen surimi, the key ingredient for making kamaboko. It was first developed in 1960 at the Hokkaido Fisheries Experiment Station in Abashiri, and today it’s an essential ingredient widely used in making fish paste products.

Imagine stepping up to the register to make your order, which is then fried up in the kitchen just behind and served.
As the savory aroma whets your appetite, a local-looking customer comes in to buy kamaboko.
The freshly fried Chigiri-age Edamame is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, with the gentle sweetness of edamame and just the right bit of texture as an accent.
Savor the simple moment of eating like an Abashiri local and sprinkle your travels with precious moments you won’t soon forget.

Rent an electric-assist bicycle at the Roadside Station Ryuhyo Kaido Abashiri and ride out to Notoro Cape, one of Abashiri’s most spectacular scenic spots.

In early summer, Abashiri is bathed in vibrant greenery, and no matter where you ride, refreshing scenery stretches all around. The uphill road leading toward Notoro Cape, in particular, makes for an especially pleasant cycling route.

Cycling lets you move at your own pace-whether it’s riding slowly under dappled sunlight, gazing out at the distant sea, or discovering your own hidden scenic spot. That sense of freedom is what makes cycling so special.

Once you arrive at Notoro Cape, park your bicycle and take a stroll around the lighthouse and the surrounding natural scenery.

Vast meadows, crystal-clear seas, and an endless horizon, plus views of the Shiretoko mountain range rising beyond the Sea of Okhotsk on clear days.

It’s a spot where you’re sure to be soothed by Hokkaido’s signature dynamic scenery.

Hop back on your rental bike and head toward Futatsuiwa.
From there, make your way down to the shore to reach a beach that can only be accessed at low tide.

Make your way along the rocky shore on the left side, pass through the grassy thicket ahead, and you’ll find yourself on what feels like a private beach.

Far from the road and with few tourists around, the only sounds here are the waves and the wind.

Spend a leisurely afternoon resting in the shade of the rocks or strolling along the water’s edge. After enjoying the private beach, return your rental bike at the roadside station and set off for the next spot.

Browse for souvenirs at UMINOBA, where a variety of foods and lifestyle goods produced in the Okhotsk region are on display.
The shop also offers light meals such as burgers, fried chicken, and French fries, making it a great place to enjoy lunch while taking your time shopping.

The shop also carries products made at the food factory adjacent to UMINOBA. Popular items include Nagaimo Chunky Kimchi, made with Okhotsk-grown yam, and Hokkaido Yukihomare Soy Milk, crafted from Okhotsk-grown Yukihomare soybeans known for their richness and natural sweetness.

Tensai Hitokuchi Kuromitsu made by Mizuno Shoten, a shop founded in Abashiri in 1941, is a sweet treat crafted from Okhotsk-grown sugar beets. Known for its gentle sweetness and natural flavor, it’s a beloved snack enjoyed by people of all ages.

In addition to food, the shop offers a wide selection of lifestyle goods born in Okhotsk, making it fun to browse even if you’re just looking. Find that special item that will bring back memories of your trip and take it home with you.

Located in Koshimizu Town, the Koshimizu Primeval Flower Garden is home to around 200 species of wildflowers that bloom throughout the year.
From June to July, the garden bursts into color with a wide variety of blossoms, including Ezo-sukashiyuri (orange lilies), Ezo-kisuge (daylilies), rugosa roses, and black lilies, delighting visitors with its vibrant scenery.

A “primeval flower garden” refers to wetlands or grasslands where colorful flowers bloom season after season without any human cultivation. What makes it special is the unique vegetation that spreads across the area, creating a landscape that feels like a natural flower field nurtured entirely by nature.

Walking along the trails, you’ll be surrounded not only by colorful flowers but also sweeping views of the sea and mountains-an ideal spot to fully experience the healing power of Abashiri’s nature.
Bring your journey to a close at Koshimizu Primeval Flower Garden, watching the grasses and flowers sway in the wind as you reflect on your travel memories.
Birdwatching is also possible here, so if you’re interested, be sure to check out the article below.