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HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Notsuke Peninsula’s ‘Ice Horizon’
In the winter, a stunning world of ice appears over Notsuke Bay
Hokkaido Tourism Organization
Located on the east coast of Hokkaido, the 26-km long Notsuke Peninsula is a unique environment overlooking the Okhotsk Sea that is home to all kinds of wild animals and birds. In the winter, an extraordinary natural phenomenon known as the ‘Ice Horizon’ can be seen here.
Although Notsuke Bay is directly connected to the sea, its inland position means that in the depths of winter the entire water’s surface freezes over, creating a flat white plain that stretches out as far as the eye can see.
As the Notsuke Peninsula is a sandspit with no other land features in sight, the bright blue sky and the pure white of the snow-covered ice meet directly at the horizon, creating an ethereal world of blue and white.
The sight alone is incredible, but walking out onto the frozen surface of the ice is something else! For an unforgettable visit, hire a local guide between January and March and head off via snowshoes or snowmobile to explore this expansive landscape. While surrounded by the icy panorama, be sure to take advantage of the unique natural backdrop to do some unforgettable sightseeing and snap some creative photographs.
How to get there
From Haneda Airport, take a flight to Nakashibetsu Airport (about 1 hour and 40 minutes).
By bus: If you take the winter-only, advance reservation Higashi Hokkaido Express bus, you can go to Notsuke Peninsula from major sightseeing spots nearby. Please note that you need to be staying in accommodation affiliated with the bus network to use this mode of transport.
63 Notsuke, Betsukai-cho, Notsuke-gun, Hokkaido
