Drift ice & frozen lakeAbashiri Drift Ice & Aurora Icebreaker
Hokkaido ・ Abashiri & Shiretoko
❄ Best season: Late Jan – Early Mar
Hokkaido Weather Guide
Abashiri & Shiretoko Weather & What to Wear
Abashiri, Shiretoko, Utoro
Facing the Sea of Okhotsk, this area is known for drift ice and the Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Site. In winter, drift ice covers the sea; in summer, you can spot wildlife like brown bears and dolphins in Shiretoko. It's one of the driest and sunniest parts of Hokkaido.
- January low
- −8.9℃
- August high
- 23.3℃
- Max snow depth
- 58cm
Forecast
Forecast: Today & the Next 7 Days
JMA forecast issued Oct 22, 11 AM
Every 3 Hours: Today & Tomorrow
- Today12 PMCloudy8°☂ 30%10–14m/s
- 3 PMCloudy7°☂ 30%10–14m/s
- 6 PMCloudy6°☂ 20%6–9m/s
- 9 PMSunny6°☂ 20%6–9m/s
- Tomorrow12 AMSunny5°☂ 10%3–5m/s
- 3 AMSunny4°☂ 10%3–5m/s
- 6 AMSunny4°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 9 AMSunny10°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 12 PMSunny14°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 3 PMSunny15°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 6 PMSunny10°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 9 PMSunny8°☂ 0%3–5m/s
Weather and wind are for the wider area; temperature is for the main forecast point. Chance of rain is for the 6-hour period.
- Today10/22(Thu)Cloudy, sunny at times9°/6°Observed: 6°☂ 30%
- Tomorrow10/23(Fri)Sunny15°/3°☂ 10%
- 10/24(Sat)Sunny, cloudy at times17°/5°☂ 10%
- 10/25(Sun)Sunny, cloudy at times17°/7°☂ 10%Reliability A
- 10/26(Mon)Cloudy, sunny at times12°/5°☂ 20%Reliability A
- 10/27(Tue)Cloudy, brief rain11°/4°☂ 50%Reliability C
- 10/28(Wed)Cloudy, brief rain or snow8°/2°☂ 50%Reliability C
- ☂ Chance of rain
- From day 3, the weekly forecast covers a wider prefecture-level area.
- Reliability of the weekly forecast (A: high, B: fairly high, C: fairly low)
- "Observed" is the temperature measured so far today by JMA weather stations (AMeDAS), not a forecast.
- Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (weather forecast)
Best Season
Best Time to Visit Abashiri & Shiretoko
Climate
Abashiri & Shiretoko Temperature & Snow Through the Year
Monthly high / low temperature (°C)
HighLow
Monthly max snow depth (cm)
Month by Month
Month-by-Month Weather & What to Wear
| Month | High | Low | Precip. | Max snow depth | What to wear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | −2.2℃ | −8.9℃ | 53.8mm | 46cm | Full winter gearDown coat, thermal layers, gloves, hat, snow boots |
| Feb | −2.0℃ | −9.6℃ | 41.9mm | 58cm | Full winter gearDown coat, thermal layers, gloves, hat, snow boots |
| Mar | 2.3℃ | −4.9℃ | 39.3mm | 52cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves, waterproof shoes |
| Apr | 9.1℃ | 0.6℃ | 51.2mm | 16cm | Warm jacketLight down or winter coat, sweater |
| May | 14.6℃ | 5.8℃ | 64.1mm | 1cm | Long sleeves + jacketLong sleeves with a light jacket or hoodie |
| Jun | 17.7℃ | 10.2℃ | 68.1mm | — | Long sleeves + jacketLong sleeves with a light jacket or hoodie |
| Jul | 21.4℃ | 14.6℃ | 85.8mm | — | T-shirt + layerT-shirt, plus light long sleeves for mornings and evenings |
| Aug | 23.3℃ | 16.6℃ | 115.3mm | — | T-shirt + layerT-shirt, plus light long sleeves for mornings and evenings |
| Sep | 20.7℃ | 13.4℃ | 115mm | — | T-shirt + layerT-shirt, plus light long sleeves for mornings and evenings |
| Oct | 15.0℃ | 7.0℃ | 88.2mm | — | Long sleeves + jacketLong sleeves with a light jacket or hoodie |
| Nov | 7.6℃ | 0.4℃ | 58.1mm | 6cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves |
| Dec | 0.7℃ | −6.0℃ | 63.6mm | 29cm | Full winter gearDown coat, thermal layers, gloves, hat, snow boots |
Clothing tips are based on the normal high temperature and snow depth. Bring an extra layer for mornings and evenings.
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Abashiri & ShiretokoPR
PR8.8天然温泉 天都の湯 ドーミーイン網走
★★★★Check rates on Agoda4,809 reviews1.3 km from center
PR8.5東横INNオホーツク・網走駅前
★★★Check rates on Agoda1,126 reviews2.1 km from center
PR8.2ホテルルートイン 網走駅前
★★★Check rates on Agoda1,121 reviews2.1 km from center- PR8.0
Tabist Abashiri Central Hotel
★★★Check rates on Agoda472 reviews1.3 km from center - PR8.2
Hotel Sun Abashiri
★★★Check rates on Agoda325 reviews2.3 km from center - PR7.1
Hokkai Hotel
★★★Check rates on Agoda354 reviews1.7 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Seasons
Abashiri & Shiretoko Through the Seasons
🌸
Spring
Mar–MayIn May, the moss phlox in Ozora Town is in bloom. Snow still lingers on Shiretoko's mountains.
☀️
Summer
Jun–AugA fresh summer with highs around 22°C. Shiretoko cruises and walks around the Shiretoko Five Lakes are popular.
🍁
Autumn
Sep–NovAutumn leaves and salmon runs in Shiretoko. In September, the samphire ("coral grass") at Lake Notoro turns red.
❄️
Winter
Dec–FebDrift ice season. Even daytime highs stay below freezing, with many days of cold wind.
Winter Scenery
Winter Scenery in Abashiri & Shiretoko
Drift ice & frozen lake
Drift ice & frozen lake
Drift ice & frozen lakeTravel Passes
Travel passes you can use in Abashiri & Shiretoko
🚄 JR
🚄 JRJapan Rail Pass
Nationwide ・ Three types: 7, 14 or 21 days. The period of use cannot be extended or changed
From ¥50,000
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Abashiri & Shiretoko TripPR
Other Areas
Weather in Other Areas
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (climate normals 1991-2020). Compiled by tripuuu.log. Temperature and snow figures are normals from the Abashiri station; actual weather varies from year to year.
