Okhotsk Tower
オホーツクタワー
An ocean observation tower built at the end of the breakwater outside Monbetsu Harbor. Visitors can watch fish and the underside of drift ice from an undersea observation room, and in winter, look out over the drift-ice sea.
Okhotsk Tower stands at the end of the third breakwater of Monbetsu Harbor, about 1 km offshore. It is said to be the world’s first marine observation tower built in an icy sea. A long sea walkway connects it to the Marine Exchange Hall, and in winter you can take a shuttle vehicle instead. The tower has an above-ground observation level and an undersea observation room about 7.5 meters below the surface. In the undersea room, windows reveal fish, starfish and the underside of winter drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk. The aquarium area showcases the sea angel, known as the “drift-ice angel.” The top observation deck offers a 360-degree view of the drift-ice-covered sea and Monbetsu’s streets.
Entry is about 800 yen. It shares the Ocean Park with the Garinko, so it is convenient to visit before or after your boat trip. The walkway is windy in winter, so dress warmly.
Opening hours
About 10:00 am–5:00 pm (varies by season)
Nearby sights
- Garinko III Icebreaker
- Okhotsk Tokkari Center
- Kani no Tsume Monument
- Okhotsk Sea Ice Science Center (GIZA)
- Oyama Summit Park & Okhotsk Sky Tower
- Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park
- Taiyo-no-Oka Engaru Park
- Takinoue Park Shibazakura