Eastern Hokkaido Express Bus 2026 winter | Kitami → Abashiri → Kitami No.8

Operation period

2026.2.1(Sun) → 3.2(Mon) service

Time table

Boarding / alighting place	Arrival time	Departure time	Get on / off	Sightseeing
Kitami Station		8:30	Get on
Memanbetsu Airport		9:30	Get on
Abashiri Prison Museum (Choose Abashiri Prison or Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum on the day) ※1	9:55	11:45	Get onGet off	Sightseeing for 110 mins
Okhotsk Ryuhyokan(Choose Abashiri Prison or Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum on the day) ※1	10:00	11:35	Get onGet off	Sightseeing for 95 mins
Ride on the JR Ryuhyo Monogatari Train ※2 March 2nd is an excluded day				Kitahama→Abashiri approximately 10 minutes
Abashiri Station(Bus stop 1)		13:00	Get on
Michi no Eki Ryuhyokaido Abashiri	13:05	14:10	Get onGet off	Self-arranged lunch time (65 minutes)
Cape Notoro	14:30	14:50	Get onGet off	Sightseeing for 20 mins
Michi no Eki Ryuhyokaido Abashiri（Board the drift ice icebreaker Aurora） ※3	15:10	16:50	Get off	Sightseeing for 105 mins
Abashiri Station(Bus stop 1)	16:55		Get off
Memanbetsu Airport	17:30		Get off
Kitami Station	18:30		Get off

※A bus guide will board the bus.
※1 Admission fees to the Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum and Abashiri Prison Museum are not included.
※2 The fare for the JR Ryuhyo Monogatari Train (departing at 12:31) is included (Kitahama → Abashiri / approx. 10 minutes).
However, please note that the JR Ryuhyo Monogatari Train does not operate on March 2. On that day, the stay at Roadside Station Ryuhyo Kaido Abashiri will be approximately 130 minutes (12:00–14:10).
※3 The fare for the Aurora sightseeing cruise (departing at 15:30) is included.(Please note that if you select the arrival at Roadside Station Ryuhyo Kaido Abashiri at 13:05, the cruise fare is not included.)

Route Map

Ride fare

Kitami・ Memanbetsu	Abashiri Sta.
7,100[3,550]	-	Abashiri station
15,100[7,550]	13,100[6,550]	-	Abashiri station	Abashiri Sta.
15,100[7,550]	13,100[6,550]	13,100[6,550]	-	Memanbetsu
16,100[8,050]	14,100[7,050]	14,100[7,050]	-	Kitami

Note: Dwarfs are in parentheses (applicable to one child per adult)

The fare shown in yellow includes the Aurora boarding fee.
If you are not on board, there will be a 5,000 yen discount for adults and a 2,500 yen discount for children.

Each price includes a drift ice zero carbon cooperation fee of 187 yen.
The Drift Ice Zero Carbon Cooperation Fund will be used to protect drift ice and the natural environment around it.
Click here for details.

booking calendar

Click on your preferred date to go to the reservation page.

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

With Aurora Cruise Ticket

Without Aurora Cruise Ticket

Operating Period

Out of Service Period

※Operation period：2026.2.1(Sun) → 3.2(Mon) service

Route points

POINT 1

Board the JR Drift Ice Story train, a limited-time tourist train. Enjoy the ocean of drift ice from the train window!

POINT 2

Aurora is an impressive icebreaker vessel capable of breaking and navigating through drift ice from the northern waters. If you're lucky, you'll even get to see seals perched on one of the ice blocks.

POINT 3

Visit Cape Notoro, a popular spot in Abashiri that cannot be reached via public transportation. The view of the Sea of Okhotsk covered with drift ice is spectacular!

Request when boarding

※ Children (3-11 years old).
※ Advance booking is required. Click the button below to book your seat at least 6 days before by 5:00 p.m.
※ If the Aurora Cruise included in this tour cannot operate due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances, the applicable amount will be refunded.
● In the event of cancellation
The full cruise fare will be refunded.
＜Refund Amount＞
February: Adult ¥6,000 / Child ¥3,000
March: Adult ¥5,000 / Child ¥2,500
● If there is no drift ice at sea
The cruise will be replaced with a standard sightseeing cruise, and the fare difference will be refunded. ＜Refund Amount＞
February: Adult ¥2,000 / Child ¥1,000
March: Adult ¥1,000 / Child ¥500
※ For same-day inquiries and travel agencies: e-mail: info-inbound@kosokubus.com (10:00–17:00, Monday–Friday)

Frequently Asked Questions

Regarding the reservation

When is the deadline for making a reservation?

Reservations are accepted until 5pm two days prior to the departure date. However, since vehicles are assigned based on the number of bookings seven days in advance, there’s a chance that seats may already be full if you try to book closer to the date. We recommend making your reservation early. Depending on the number of passengers, transportation may be provided by a microbus or taxi.

Is the Drift Ice Cruise included in the price?

No, the drift ice cruise is not included in the bus fare. You can still purchase tickets on the day, however, we recommend booking your ticket in advance, since the cruise may be sold out early.

Can I use the bus even if I’m not staying at a partner facility?

Unfortunately, use of a partner facility is a condition for boarding the Express Bus. When boarding, please present a document or email confirmation showing that you have used or will use one of the partner facilities.

Can I reserve a specific seat?

Please note that seating is not assigned in advance and seat selection is not available.

Is there a waiting list in case of any cancellations?

Unfortunately, we do not have a waiting list for this service.

Do I need a ticket to board?

Please show the driver proof of your stay or reservation at a partner facility, such as: your email reservation confirmation, a hotel / lodging voucher, or a receipt from the accommodation etc.

Is there a discounted fare for passengers with disabilities?

Unfortunately, there is no special fare or discount for passengers with disabilities. We appreciate your understanding.

Can I pay on the day of departure?

Unfortunately, no. This is a prepaid bus service. Payment on the day of departure is not accepted. You may choose to pay by credit card or in cash at a convenience store (payment must be completed within two days of booking, except for last-minute reservations).

After Making a Reservation

What if I can’t board the bus due to cancelation of my flight, train, or ferry?

Please contact our reservation center at: info-inbound@kosokubus.com

Please make a new reservation for your preferred time and cancel the previous one.
Note: A cancellation fee applies from 10 days prior to departure.

How can I cancel my reservation?

Please log into Kousokubus.com and complete the cancellation procedure online.

Regarding Bus Operation

What happens if the bus is delayed and I miss the Drift Ice Cruise?
Also, if the Cruise is delayed, would the bus wait for us?

In the event of severe weather or road closures, the bus may be delayed, and there is a possibility that you may miss your cruise connection. Please note that no compensation will be provided in such cases. (This occurs approximately 2–3 times per season.)
If the cruise is slightly delayed, the bus will wait briefly for passengers.
However, significant cruise delays are extremely rare.

Will the bus be canceled due to heavy snow? Will I be notified if it is?

In Hokkaido, buses generally operate even on snowy roads, and travel times are scheduled with winter conditions in mind.
However, in the case of severe weather causing road closures, service may be canceled (this happens 2–3 times per season).
In case of cancelation, we will contact you, so please make sure to provide a phone number or contact method that can be reached during your trip.

Is there a restroom on the bus?

Unfortunately, there is no restroom onboard on this route.

Can I leave my luggage on the bus while sightseeing?

Yes, you may leave your belongings on the bus during sightseeing stops. However, please keep all valuables with you at all times.

Is there a tour guide on board?

There will be no tour guides or attendants on this bus.

About Eastern Hokkaido Express Bus

Service Period

Every day from January 30 (Fri.) to March 1 (Sun.)
* May vary depending on some services.

Note

Note: The buses depart strictly on time. Please confirm the boarding location and the schedule and make sure you be there at least 5 minutes in advance.
(We will not take any responsibility for your late arrival, which results in missing the bus.)
Note: Due to the bus schedule, there might be cases you will not be able to have breakfast depending on the hotel you stay. Please confirm beforehand.
Note: The bus route is subject to change if any of the sections is closed.
Note: Note: The bus will not stop at a place where no reserved passenger is expected to board.
Note: We are not responsible for any payment you make for your facility use, meals, and shopping.
Note: Service hours and holidays of tourist attractions may change.
Note: The vehicle may change to a midsize bus, a small bus, or a taxi depending on the number of passengers.
Note: Refrain from eating and drinking, especially alcohol, on a bus, and also try not to talk loudly.

Terms of Use

You will have to stay in the accommodations listed below if you are using the bus.

●Mombetsu (Mombetsu Central Hotel, Hotel Okhotsk Palace, Mombetsu Prince Hotel)
●Utoro (Kitakobushi, KIKI Shiretoko, Shiretoko Daiichi HotelShiretoko Hotel and Resort)
●Lake Akan(Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga, Hotel Gozensui, New Akan Hotel, Akan Tsuruga Bessou Hinanoza, Forest of Akan Tsuruga Resort Hanayuuka)
●Abashiri (Hokuten no Oka Abashiri Tsuruga Resort)
●Kawayu(Kawayu Kanko Hotel, Oyado Kinkiyu Bettei Shinfuyu)
●Kushiro Accommodations within Kushiro ciry
●Kitami Accommodations within Kitami ciry