Hokkaido:Cycling on Snow in Abashiri, the Northern Land of Hokkaido / Winter Ride with Fat Bike - Ride & Trip Information Media from Japan for World Cyclists & Tourists

DATE: 2022.03.23 Topics

I’d like to ride a bike on snow at least once! To make this wish come true, I went to Abashiri, Hokkaido, an extremely cold region of Japan, to experience fat biking on snow.
Here is a cycling report of a fulfilling and enjoyable ride in the northern lands of Hokkaido, where I experienced fat biking while enjoying the great nature of Hokkaido and stopping at tourist attractions.

Contents

From Kansai International Airport to Memanbetsu Airport
Lake Abashiri
Abashiri Prison Museum
Start Cycling from Roadside Station Drift Ice Road Abashiri
Snow Ride Starts
Arrive at Kitahama Station
Enjoy the Spectacular View at the Observatory
From Kitahama Station to the Starting Point
What to Wear to Ride in the Snow
Summary
Course Introduction

From Kansai International Airport to Memanbetsu Airport

It takes about 2 hours from Kansai International Airport to Memanbetsu Airport by plane.
There was a bike station at the airport, although it was hidden by snow.

The distance from Memanbetsu Airport to downtown Abashiri is close, about 20km, and a very convenient 30-minute drive.
I rented a car near the airport and traveled to the center of Abashiri.

Lake Abashiri

Lake Abashiri in winter is a wide and beautiful snowfield.

I decided to walk there. The snow was quite deep.

This is exactly the kind of scenery you would expect to see in a silvery white world.

It was fantastic.

There were many tents for wakasagi fishing (Japanese pond smelt fishing).
If you visit between January and March, you can see this kind of scenery.

Abashiri Prison Museum

Abashiri is famous for its Abashiri Prison. I visited Abashiri Prison Museum, which preserves and exhibits buildings that were actually used in Abashiri Prison.

Start Cycling from Roadside Station Drift Ice Road Abashiri

Roadside Station Drift Ice Kaido Abashiri has a tourist information center and a corner selling local specialties, and is also the departure and arrival point for “Aurora” drift icebreaker.
Due to strong winds, Aurora was out of service on the day, but visitors were able to tour the ship for free.

Craft beer from Abashiri was also available.

Snow Ride Starts

I decided to ride from Roadside Station Drift Ice Road Abashiri to Kitahama Station on JR Senmo Line and back, a distance of about 20km.
Our friend had prepared the fat bikes for us, and finally I started my longed-for ride on the snow.

Fat bike is a mountain bike type bicycle with thick tires and stability, and it is suitable for riding in cold weather and on rough roads.
(※Under normal circumstances, I would ride on the road, but due to the snow conditions at this time, I was instructed to ride on the sidewalk.)
Shortly after I started riding, I met some swans along the coast!

I was impressed to see them living in such a cold environment.

I continued along the coast all the way to Shiretoko.
I looked for a convenience store to take a break, but unfortunately could not find one, so I took a short break at a gas station.
It is one more ride to Kitahama Station.

Arrive at Kitahama Station

Kitahama Station is said to be “the closest station to the drift ice”, with a panoramic view of the Sea of Okhotsk in front of it.
When the drift ice arrives, the entire surface of the station will look like land.

In the waiting room, there are many picture cards with memories of people who visited the station.

This small, unmanned station has a coffee shop, “Teishaba” (means “stop”), which was built in the former station master’s office.
I had lunch here to recharge for the rest of the ride.

There are also train seats and a screen shelf from the Japan National Railways era, and it is often used for filming movies.

The retro interior has a relaxed atmosphere.

Hamburger steak set meal and after-meal drink.

There was a wide variety of menu items including set meals, ramen, parfaits, etc.

Enjoy the Spectacular View at the Observatory

When you go to the observatory next to the station, you will see this spectacular view.
The contrast between the blue of the sky and the white of the snow is very beautiful. It would be even more beautiful if the weather was clear.

If the weather is good, you can even see the Shiretoko mountain range.

The color of the sea was also clear and very beautiful.

The number of trains is limited, so if you want to take pictures of the magnificent scenery and trains, be sure to check the timetable.

From Kitahama Station to the Starting Point

Now it’s time to return.
I turn back to the starting point from Kitahama station.
On the way, the headwind can be strong, so it is quite a workout.
As I was riding, thinking that this kind of wind was blowing in the northern lands. A local person said to me, “This is the wind that brings the drift ice.”
When the drift ice comes, you can enjoy riding while watching the drift ice.

What to Wear to Ride in the Snow

When the drift ice comes, the temperature drops dramatically and can reach minus 20 degrees Celsius. On this day, it was about minus 5 degrees Celsius, but the wind was strong and the temperature was even lower. However, I was wearing functional inner wear, warm clothes, and two layers of gloves, so I did not feel cold at all while cycling. Of course, ear protection is a must for cycling in such an environment.

Summary

Riding on snow itself was very new to me, and although the distance was only about 20km, it was a very good experience to ride in a different world than usual.
My first fat bike was easy to ride on the snow because of its fat tires and stability. I learned that it is a very attractive bike, which I could ride more quickly than I had imagined.
Although I don’t have my own fat bike, there are tours where you can experience fat biking on the frozen Lake Abashiri or riding while viewing drift ice. In summer, I would love to visit again, for example, Okhotsk Cycling Road.