Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum

Friday, March 8, 2019 Updated

Ice Float Museum

The Ohotsk Ryu-Hyo (Ice Floe) Museum in Abarashi is dedicated to the drift ice and sea-life found in the Sea of Ohotsk. While floating through drift ice is a popular past time in Hokkaido, this activity is only available in the winter. The museum provides guests with a simulated drift ice experience in a special room set to -15c°. Guests can get a hands-on experience touching real drift ice and can try out the Shibare Experiment to freeze a towel into a frozen bar by spinning it. The museum also has a fully-equipped HD theater where guests can learn about drift-ice and the way the four seasons are enjoyed in Abashiri.

Clione Display

The Ryu-Hyo Museum's onsite aquarium is home to many of the creatures from the Okhotsk Sea. The impressive set of tanks contain many of the sea-life found living around the ice, including clione, balloon lump-fish and Taranetz’s lump-suckers. The clione are often referred to as sea angels for their adorable, unique, angelic shapes. These creatures are often found floating along the drift ice in the Okhotsk Sea and are a popular attraction at the museum. The aquarium includes information on the various fish using monitors and small posters, but unfortunately all information is in Japanese.

Observatory Deck

In addition to the exhibits about the ice-float and clione, the Ryu-hyo Museum also offers stunning views of Abashiri City from the observatory deck. From this platform, enjoy a wonderful 360-degree panoramic view of the city, including Lake Abashiri, Lake Notoro, Lake Tofutsu, Lake Mokto, Mt. Shiretokoren, and the Sea of Okhotsk. The museum also has a small café and restaurant for snacks or drinks after you explore the exhibits, and outside the museum is a slope over 100 meters long used for sledding during the winter. Come enjoy this museum any time of year while exploring Hokkaido on our fully-guided Hokkaido Japan Tour packages or during a private Japan tour vacation through the northern island of Hokkaido!