LOOK: Sea ice touches northern Japan shore

TOKYO — A woman takes a photo of drift ice that has reached the coast of Abashiri, Hokkaido, on Tuesday.

The Abashiri Local Meteorological Office announced the same day it was this winter’s first day of drift ice from Sea of Okhotsk touching the coast, four days earlier than in an average year.

The announcement was made after an official observed from the rooftop of the meteorological office that drift ice had reached the coast and blocked vessels at 12:20 p.m.

On Jan. 13, approaching drift ice was observed with the naked eye in the city for the first time this winter, eight days earlier than average.