A vast expanse of drift ice spanning the frigid Sea of Okhotsk in the World Natural Heritage site of Shiretoko, sets the stage for a variety of novel winter adventures.
The Sea of Okhotsk is filled with drift ice.
This time, we venture out on the drift ice
to explore the wonders that exist out there.
Enjoy a multitude of unknown experiences to be had
on ice adrift in freezing waters...
This feels so good.
and fantastic sights like this.
It's so beautiful.
Our thrilling drift ice adventure has begun!
Wild Hokkaido!
The Shiretoko Peninsula is located in eastern Hokkaido.
Shiretoko has been recognized as a World Natural Heritage site
due to its rich nature and abundant wildlife.
Drift ice is a well-known winter spectacle in the region.
Each year, between January and March,
large blocks of ice drift from the mouth of Russia's Amur River
about 1,000 kilometers away.
They constantly change shape as they move through the water day by day,
making it difficult to predict how they will appear from land.
We'll explore the mysterious world of Shiretoko's drift ice,
and encounter extraordinary scenery along the way.
Aga Kusama, from Poland, loves Hokkaido's nature.
She is amazed to see the drift ice for the first time.
It's so beautiful. It's just so stunning.
I always wanted to see the drift ice.
And I've been living here for 18 years,
and it's my first time in Shiretoko and seeing drift ice.
It's stunning. It's so beautiful.
I'm so happy.
Good morning!
Good morning.
Kasai Fumitaka has been a guide for over 15 years.
He knows the Shiretoko region like the back of his hand.
Exploring the drift ice on foot is dangerous,
so joining a tour with a guide well-versed
in safety procedures is recommended.
Warm clothes are essential for expeditions on the drift ice.
Put on a dry suit,
a knit hat, and some thick rubber gloves, and you'll be ready to go.
Now it's time to head out on the drift ice.
On this day, the ice stretches about a kilometer
from the shoreline out into the bay.
The heavy snowfall from the previous night
makes it look like a vast snowfield of ice.
Are we going to walk on the drift ice?
- Drift ice.
- Really?
That sounds amazing.
Take a look at that piece of ice. See how thick it is?
Yes. Yeah.
The ice is over 50 centimeters thick.
Even standing on it doesn't feel so scary.
Let's do it. Yeah, let's go. Let's go
Because the ice sheets are packed so densely,
they don't move at all underfoot.
They can safely proceed across the ice.
(Danger: do not walk on the drift ice unless part of a tour)
This is such a beautiful color.
It's so clean.
The bluish color is where the ice almost looks like sherbet,
and seawater is visible.
They've found a small hole.
Can I get in with two feet?
After Aga gets the all-clear from Fumitaka,
she steps into the drift ice and into the sea!
So we are actually in the ocean.
This is the Okhotsk Sea.
Ever curious Aga discovers something else.
Not that salty.
Experiencing drift ice for the first time,
she becomes even more curious.
So much fun. So much fun!
A feature of drift ice is the naturally formed art.
It's so nice.
It's so nice.
The varying shapes and sizes of drift ice
form layers as they slide over and under one another.
The constantly moving ice helps create this unique scenery.
The first drift ice arrives at the shore,
then the next sheet behind it crashes into it, pushing it upwards.
So it's pushing the ice which is already here,
so they are hitting each other and creating this beautiful art.
These sculptures formed by the power of nature are very expressive.
Aga hunts for some more unique ice formations.
At the top...
It's so nice.
She's found a natural ice bed.
Must be time for a rest.
The sky is just blue. There is no cloud.
Totally blue sky.
Ah, such happiness.
30 minutes after Aga began her drift ice adventure,
she now steps into a completely different landscape.
The giant field of ice appears to stretch all the way to the horizon.
It's very stable and flat here, so you're welcome to run.
Shall we take a jog together?
- Ah, let's run. Yeah.
- Let's run. Okay.
You think it's safe?
Embracing the wind as they run across the expanse of floating sea ice,
they feel a sense of freedom not often found in everyday life.
A healing moment delivered by the drift ice.
Now for the "SENSEI's Tip."
There's one handy item you should bring when visiting the drift ice.
Shiretoko is a treasure trove of wildlife,
but it's difficult to spot animals far away.
In that case, binoculars come in handy.
There are sika deer here.
Can you spot them?
Deer move in herds, so if you spot one,
keep looking for others nearby.
Because drift ice movement is dictated by tides and wind direction,
it's sometimes hard to know when they'll reach the shore.
The drift ice forecast is useful for checking the best time to see the ice.
You can find the current location and even size of the ice
on the Japan Meteorological Agency's website.
And of course, don't forget to dress warmly!
Aga, would you like to do more than just walk or feel the ice?
How about trying SUP?
We can do it?
Yes! Finally. Yeah, let's do it!
Stand-Up Paddelboarding, or SUP, originated in Hawaii.
Standing on a 3-meter-long board
while using a paddle to move through the water,
it's become a popular leisure activity in Japan, too.
Aga will don a life jacket and helmet for safety.
She's done SUP before, but this will be her first drift ice SUP experience.
I feel so good!
Conditions are perfect for SUP today with no waves.
Oh, okay.
This feels so good.
So good.
Floating along on the paddleboard,
you can imagine what it feels like to be drift ice.
Oh my God, this feels so good.
So good.
You can't describe this feeling.
SUP-ing on the ice.
This feels so special.
Aga wants to see the scenery from a different perspective,
so she'll try and stand up on her board.
With careful balance,
she's on her feet!
It's a bit hard,
but...
Now that her view is elevated,
she can see further across the ice.
It seems as if she has melted to become one with the ocean.
Venturing further through the ice,
they decide to explore the seawater more closely.
Aga finds something.
Look at that.
This color is beautiful.
It's a shimmering blue piece of drift ice.
This ice looks so blue.
It's such a beautiful blue color.
That's amazing color.
The light's wavelength penetrates the ice
and turns it this beautiful hue.
Aga has experienced some of Hokkaido's best outdoor activities,
but the mysterious beauty of the Shiretoko drift ice
has taken her breath away.
That feels so special to me.
This is such an amazing experience.
I think it's worth to come here to Shiretoko all the way
to just experience this beautiful scenery.
It's 4 p.m.
This is the moment when the drift ice transforms
into a different world altogether.
To end today, let's enjoy the sunset over the drift ice.
Wow.
During the drift ice season,
days to witness the sunset are few and far between.
But take a look now.
The frozen ice world has become drenched
in a warm golden glow.
Our Shiretoko drift ice adventure
has come to an end with a fleeting final view
of this magnificent landscape.
It's so beautiful.
And the yellow and the emerald green
and a white color, it's such a beautiful contrast.
It's such an amazing place here.
I'm so happy to be here.
You know, Shiretoko, it's such an amazing place
because this experience here, this,
you can have it only in here, only in Shiretoko.
The drift ice,
the beautiful contrast, and the wild nature. It' just stunning.
And even though Shiretoko is so far, when you come here,
it's rewarding. It's really rewarding.
Wild Hokkaido! takes you on great activities
in the great outdoors of northern Japan.
Join us next time for another adventure.