Northern lights in Abashiri tonight
Northeastern Hokkaido, Japan · 37° magnetic latitude · Kp 8-9 threshold
Kp 1 is well below the Kp 8-9 threshold needed for aurora to be visible from Abashiri.
7-day outlook for Abashiri
Based on CME arrival predictions from NASA DONKI. Arrival times ±6 hours.
auroratonight.space
What Kp is needed here?
Abashiri sits at a magnetic latitude of approximately 37°N. The Kp index - a global measure of geomagnetic activity on a scale from 0 (quiet) to 9 (extreme storm), updated every 3 hours - needs to reach Kp 8-9 before the auroral oval expands far enough south to be visible from here.
At Kp 8-9, visibility is possible from Abashiri but skies need to be clear and dark. Cloud cover and light pollution remain the main obstacles even when Kp is high enough.
Best dark sky sites near Abashiri
Light pollution is the biggest obstacle after cloud cover. These sites give you the best dark northern horizon within reach.
Lake Abashiri
Get directions ↗The lake immediately north of Abashiri city, facing open water to the north and northeast. The lake shore gives a clear northern horizon across the water with minimal light pollution in that direction. The lakeside road is accessible year-round and provides good north-facing positions away from the small urban center.
Notoro Lagoon
Get directions ↗A large coastal wetland east of Abashiri, facing the Sea of Okhotsk. The flat lagoon terrain gives 360-degree open sky with no terrain obstruction. Notoro Cape on the northern edge of the lagoon faces north over the sea. Known for drift ice in winter - the flat sea ice further opens the northern horizon in January-February.
Shiretoko Peninsula
Get directions ↗A UNESCO World Heritage Site 70 km east of Abashiri, one of the most remote accessible landscapes in Japan. The peninsula extends northeast into the Sea of Okhotsk with no settlement at its tip. The Utoro side of the peninsula faces north and northeast over open sea. Bortle 1-2 conditions at the northern tip in clear conditions.
Best time to see the northern lights in Abashiri
At 37°N magnetic latitude, Abashiri sits at the lower end of regular aurora territory. Only the deep mid-winter months of November through January offer nights dark enough for aurora to be visible, and only then when a significant geomagnetic storm pushes the auroral oval this far south.
Activity peaks around the September and March equinoxes, when Earth's magnetic field geometry is most favourable for coupling with the solar wind. Events during these two windows tend to produce the strongest displays of the year for observers at Abashiri's latitude.
Outside November through January, twilight is too bright for aurora viewing even during significant storms. The season is short, but the equinox months on either side of winter can extend it slightly when storm timing aligns.
How often does the aurora appear in Abashiri?
Average nights per month the Kp reached Abashiri's threshold of 8+, from 15 years of geomagnetic data (2010–2024).
Counts the Kp 8+ threshold only - cloud cover and local darkness are not included.
Kp data: GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, CC BY 4.0
Plan your trip to Abashiri
Aurora is rare at this latitude - conditions require Kp 8+. No month reaches a meaningful average.
Related pages
Northern Lights Japan
Japan aurora hub - Hokkaido forecast and thresholds.
Read →Northern Lights Wakkanai Tonight
Wakkanai - northernmost Hokkaido, Kp 7-8 threshold.
Read →Northern Lights Sapporo Tonight
Sapporo - transport hub for Hokkaido aurora, Kp 8-9.
Read →What Is the Kp Index?
What Kp 8-9 means for aurora at ~37° geomagnetic latitude.
Read →Northern Lights Viewing Tips
Planning an aurora watch and choosing dark sites.
Read →Aurora photographs from Abashiri
Real photos sourced from Wikimedia Commons.
Aurora over Abashiri 
Aurora over Abashiri 
Aurora over Abashiri 
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Travel Guide Japan Northern Lights Japan - Aurora Viewing Guide for Hokkaido
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Travel Guide All destinations How to Plan a Northern Lights Trip
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Planning All destinations Best Time to See the Northern Lights
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