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Winter Scenery · Hokkaido

Notsuke Peninsula Frozen Sea (Hyoheisen)

Notsuke Peninsula, BetsukaiDrift ice & frozen lake❄ Best season: Late Jan – Mid Mar
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Overview

Overview

On the Notsuke Peninsula, Japan’s largest sandspit at about 26 km long, the inner Notsuke Bay freezes in the depths of winter, creating the hyoheisen, an “ice horizon” where the white ice field melts into the sky. Guided tours walking on the frozen sea are a winter specialty.

Address
Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center, Notsuke, Betsukai-cho, Notsuke-gun, Hokkaido 086-1645
Closures & winter suspensions
The Nature Center is closed December 30 – January 5
Official website
https://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/spot/detail_11193.html
Peak Time

When to Go

Best seasonJanuary to mid-March (conditions are best from late January)
December
January
February
March

How much the sea freezes differs from year to year, and whether tours run is decided by the condition of the ice

Seasons are typical guides. Snow, ice and drift ice depend heavily on each year’s weather.

Highlights

Highlights

The frozen sea becomes a world of only white and blue, with ice fields stretching as far as the eye can see to the horizon. The Hyoheisen Walk on the ice can be experienced on a guided tour from the Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center.

📷 Best views
Ice field of Notsuke Bay (hyoheisen)

A world of white and blue where the boundary between frozen sea and sky dissolves

Hours

Opening hours

Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center (October–March)9:00–16:00

In winter, hours can change and services can be suspended because of the weather. Check the official website before you go.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓It is a long drive on winter roads, so check the weather and road conditions and plan with plenty of time to spare
Access

Getting there

From major stations & airports
  • Nakashibetsu Airport: Car (About 50 min)
  • Kushiro-Higashi IC (Kushiro Outer Ring Road): Car (About 120 min)
Driving & winter roads
50 spaces at the Nature Center (free)
Open in Google Maps ↗
Weather

Temperature & staying warm

Typical temperatures
February normals for Kushiro: high -0.1°C, low -9.4°C (Japan Meteorological Agency). The exposed peninsula is very windy, so it feels even colder
What to wear & bring
Heavy windproof winter clothing, a hat, gloves, a neck warmer and insulated boots
☁ Hokkaido weather by month
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Rules

Rules & safety

  • !Always join a guided tour to go out onto the frozen sea (going on your own is dangerous)
Attractions

Attractions in Kushiro & Akan

Zoo

Kushiro Zoological Park

Hokkaido ・ Kushiro & Akan

A city-run zoo about 11 minutes by car from Kushiro Airport. It's open year-round, so you can watch the animals in the snow in winter too. Admission is free for junior high school age and under.

See all attractions →
Winter Scenery

Winter Scenery in Hokkaido

Old town

Otaru Canal in Winter

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

❄ Best season: Early Nov – Late Jan

✦ Illumination
See all winter scenery spots →

Seasons, hours, prices and access are based on official sources such as the spot’s own website, local governments and tourism associations. Winter weather often causes suspensions and road closures, so check the official website before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-06

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