Cruise through drift ice
Ice from Russia’s Amur River flows
southward to Hokkaido in the
winter and it’s possible to witness
this phenomenon from the deck
of an icebreaker. The best spot for
this is the port of Abashiri on the
Sea of Okhotsk, just 40 minutes by
bus from Monbetsu Airport. Take
a sightseeing cruise on the Aurora.
ms-aurora.com/abashiriMeet the snow monsters
In wintertime, the snow-
smothered fir trees overlooking
the ski resort village of Zao Onsen
in Honshu transform, taking on
beautiful, otherworldly shapes.
Marvel at these natural snow
sculptures as you ski, snowboard,
ride a cable-car, or take a night
cruise in a specially constructed
snow vehicle. zao-spa.or.jpGo ice-fishing
An hour outside Hokkaido’s
capital, Lake Shinotsu is the
perfect spot for some ice fishing.
Nearby, a calming hot-spring soak
awaits before you return to the
bustle of the city. Chuo Bus offers
full-day tours to Shinotsu from
Sapporo. uu-hokkaido.comTry dog-sledding
Hokkaido’s raw splendour and
winter traditions are highlighted
on a dog-sledding experience in
Takasu, a city near Asahikawa.
After an hour’s training session,
you’re ready to pilot a sled
pulled by a team of happy,
well-cared-for canines across a
snow-covered, four-mile course.
moonlightladies.infoVisit the Yokote
Kamakura Snow Festival
Located in northwestern
Honshu’s Akita Prefecture, this
centuries-old festival (which is
held between 15-16 February each
year) features hundreds of snow
domes called kamakura. Visitors
enter the candlelit structures and
sample sweet sake and rice cakes.
There are also food stalls, snow
sculptures and special events,
lending a modern vibe to this
most traditional of celebrations.
japan.travel CTMORE WINTER
ADVENTURESIMAGES: GETTY58 nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel
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