Mesmerizing Otsu Beach Winter Seascape
Frozen river ice floes clash with crashing ocean waves at Otsu Beach, Hokkaido.

The Jewelry Ice Beach at Otsu

“Jewelry Ice” is a completely unique phenomenon that can be observed at Otsu Beach in the city of Toyokoro, Hokkaido. During winter, the Tokachi River, which flows near this fishing town, freezes under the very cold temperatures of the region.

“Jewelry Ice” is a completely unique phenomenon that can be observed at Otsu Beach in the city of Toyokoro, Hokkaido. During winter, the Tokachi River, which flows near this fishing town, freezes under the very cold temperatures of the region.

The ice flowing towards the Pacific Ocean is then carried by the waves onto Otsu Beach. The polished blocks accumulate and eventually melt with the sand, creating this mysterious icy landscape.

This “Jewelry Ice” is not a scientific term, but it was coined by Mr. Hisashi Urashima in 2015. This amateur photographer is a local resident who runs an English school. He chose this nickname in reference to the purity of the transparent reflections, which make the ice resemble jewelry crystals.

Otsu Beach
Otsu Beach

The color of its reflections changes throughout the day depending on the sunlight. Photographers’ favorite moment is at dawn, when the ice blocks, which were blue under the moonlight, gradually shift from vermilion to orange. During the day, it can be blue, sapphire, topaz, or opal, depending on the sky.

Otsu Beach
Otsu Beach

This phenomenon is only visible from mid-January to the end of February, when Hokkaido is at its coldest. One must be well-prepared before heading there, as temperatures can drop below 20 degrees Celsius during this time of year, especially if you go early in the morning.

Previously, this place was known only to photography enthusiasts, but it has been popularized on social media in recent years. It was even featured in an article in the New York Times in 2017. Since then, every winter many tourists and photographers visit each year to capture this sparkling spectacle before it melts.

Otsu Beach
Otsu Beach

The city of Toyokoro took the opportunity to develop its tourism activities and even built a rest and reception area for visitors in 2018, the Jewelry House. Unfortunately, in the winter of 2021, the icy phenomenon could not be observed as usual at Otsu Beach.

According to Yasuhiro Yoshikawa, a researcher who has been studying the phenomenon since 2017, the temperatures and wind direction likely moved the ice to another beach a few kilometers away, on the other side of the Tokachi River.

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Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

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Scarlet bridge stands bold, Embraced by nature's colors— Water whispers by. ---赤い橋、 自然の色に抱かれて、 水がささやく。 ---#offbeatjapan #japan #redbridge #seasonchange #naturelovers #tranquility #autumnineyes #hiddenbeauty
Yellow dots embrace, Blue sea whispers to calm hills— Art in nature's hug.  黄色の点、 青い海が囁く— 自然に抱かれた芸術。#YayoiKusama #Naoshima #SetoInlandSea #ContemporaryArt #ArtInNature #offbeatjapan #japan
Under starry sky, Western gates glow deep green-blue— Time's whispers linger.スターリーな夜空の下で、 西洋の門は深い緑青に輝く— 時のささやきが残る。#offbeatjapan #japan #eeriebeauty #abandonedplaces #nightphotography #forgottenhistory #urbanexploration #mysteriousjapan
Plowed field, mountains; Silent peaks watch over homes, Winter whispers close.---耕された野、山々; 静かなる峰が家々を見守る、 冬のささやき近し。---#naturejapan #ruraljapan #japanesealps #landscapephotography #serenjapan #offbeatjapan #japan
Pale petals whisper, In spring's gentle, rainy breath, Umbrella blooms fade.淡い花びら 春の穏やかな雨 傘と共に散る #sakura #cherryblossom #offbeatjapan #japan #springrain #tranquilbeauty #urbannature #ephemeralbeauty
Whispering petals, Mirror the fleeting twilight, Sakura dreams bloom. ---囁く花びら、 儚い黄昏映す、 咲く桜の夢。 ---#sakura #japanphoto #ethereal #cherryblossoms #tranquility #offbeatjapan #japan
Verdant path of green, Whispers blend with azure sky— Nature's still embrace. 緑の小道、 ささやきが空青と溶ける— 自然の抱擁。 #serenelakeside #ruraljapan #naturehaiku #landscapephotography #quietbeauty #offbeatjapan #japan
Emerald steps rise, under boundless blue whispers— nature's gentle climb. エメラルドの階段が、広がる青のささやきの下で— 自然のやさしい登り。 #NaturePath #JapaneseForest #EmeraldTrail #SpiritualRetreat #MtTakao #OffbeatJapan #Japan