Millions of tourists flock to beaches around the world each year according to the World Travel Organization, to relax in the warmth of the sun while enjoying the sound of the waves as they hit the shoreline.
San’in Kaigan Geopark in Japan has a beach where tourists trade in their typical bathing suits for a dry suit... and quite possibly a parka. Why? This is where visitors can see snow and sand at the same time on the shoreline. It’s a rare phenomenon that happens in late January to early February along the Sea of Okhotsk coast of Hokkaido.
How does this happen?
The rare sight actually begins in Russia. The ice comes from the Amur River in Russia which according to the World Wildlife Fund, is the longest un-dammed river in the Eastern Hemisphere. In late October, the northern half of the river begins to freeze.
The cold westerly winds flowing out of Eastern Siberia help to form the ice in the fresh water of the Amur River. According to NASA, the freshwater mixes with seawater, the water mass becomes fresher so it has less salt content than seawater alone. The fresher water allows it to freeze at a warmer temperature. The sea ice is then carried south through the Sea of Okhotsk by the Sakhalin Current reaching Hokkaido Island.
The snow and ice arrive at the beach between late January and early February. This is when visitors can see both snow overtaking the beach and sea with a series of mini-bergs.
Tourists who flock to see this rare phenomenon can take a boat cruise to stay somewhat warm while eyeing the spectacular sight from the deck of the icebreaker, but adventure seekers take it to another level.
That’s where the dry suit comes in. The UNESCO Geopark actually offers a guided walk on the ice itself from the Shiretoko Peninsula with a chance to see sea eagles and sea lions along the way.
There’s even a festival to celebrate the arrival of the Siberian Okhotsk drift ice. The Abashiri Okhotsk Drift Ice Festival is held in early to mid-February where local artists of the small port town carve out enormous sculptures in the snow and ice. Of course, there’s food too plus hourly cruises to go see the amazing drift ice that will begin to disappear by March and April.
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