Garinko Icebreaker 2-Day Tour: Asahiyama Zoo
- Board the Garinko in Mombetsu and watch its large screw drills break through the drift ice
- Watch the penguin walk at Asahiyama Zoo and see polar bears up close in the snow
- Step into the sub-zero room at the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum and taste free drift ice ice cream
- Stay one night at Hotel Abashirikoso on Lake Abashiri with a Hokkaido seafood buffet dinner and onsen
- Watch seal feeding at the Okhotsk Seal Center, two shows a day, admission at your own cost
- Climb Okhotsk Tower to look over the drift ice sea and Mombetsu Port, admission at your own cost
Package Options
Product Info
Where does the Garinko icebreaker 2-day tour go?
Two winter days from Sapporo to the Sea of Okhotsk coast: drift ice, snow-country animals and a night by Lake Abashiri.
- Drift ice: sail through the ice on the Garinko icebreaker in Mombetsu, and experience drift ice at the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum in Abashiri
- Winter animals: penguins and polar bears at Asahiyama Zoo, seals at the Okhotsk Seal Center
- Overnight: Hotel Abashirikoso, an onsen hotel on Lake Abashiri, with a seafood buffet dinner
- Getting around: chartered bus from Sapporo Station North Exit and back to Sapporo
What can you see at Asahiyama Zoo and the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum on Day 1?
Day 1 heads to Asahikawa for the zoo, then east to Abashiri for drift ice and the night.
- Asahiyama Zoo:
- Watch the penguin walk as the penguins waddle through the snow
- See polar bears in the snow up close
- Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum:
- Step into the sub-zero room to feel the drift ice and explore the drift ice of the Sea of Okhotsk
- Taste drift ice ice cream (free)
- Lake Abashiri: check in to the onsen hotel, eat fresh Hokkaido seafood and local dishes at the buffet dinner, then soak in the hot spring
What can you do in Mombetsu on Day 2 of the Garinko icebreaker tour?
Day 2 is spent on the Okhotsk coast at Mombetsu before the drive back to Sapporo.
- Garinko icebreaker: sail into the Sea of Okhotsk on a ship fitted with large screw drills that break the ice as it moves, with white sea ice all around
- Okhotsk Tower: Japan's northernmost marine observation tower, at the end of the breakwater outside Mombetsu Port, looking over the drift ice and the port (admission at your own cost)
- Okhotsk Seal Center: watch the seals pop their heads out of the water at feeding time, two shows a day, times as announced on-site (admission at your own cost)
- Crab Claw Statue: take a photo next to Mombetsu's 12-meter giant crab claw
Mombetsu Garinko Icebreaker: Ride the icebreaker through thick drift ice, feel the shock of the ice cracking and the ship pushing forward up close, and enjoy the endless white sea. This is a representative natural wonder limited to winter in Hokkaido.
Asahiyama Zoo: Penguin Walk, watch the cutest winter scene in Hokkaido up close
Mombetsu Seal Center: Two seal feeding shows per day (times subject to on-site announcements). Watch the adorable seals pop their heads out of the water. (Admission fee paid separately)
Okhotsk Tower: Climb the tower to capture unique perspectives of the drift ice scenery. (Admission fee paid separately)
Crab Claw Statue: Visit Mombetsu's iconic landmark, a stunning 12-meter-tall sculpture, and capture fun photo spots along the Hokkaido Okhotsk coast!
Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum: Experience Hokkaido's drift ice world firsthand
Taste drift ice-themed ice cream (free)
Purchase Notice
Travel conditions
- Departure / destination: Hokkaido
- Duration: 2-day tour
- Transport: chartered bus
- Bus company: Kita no Tabi Travel Agency
- Meals: 1 dinner (breakfast 0, lunch 0)
- Accommodation: Hotel Abashirikoso
- Minimum group size: 15 travelers
- Tour leader: 1
Tour planning & operation
- Operator: LION TRAVEL JAPAN Co., Ltd.
- Address: 7F Toranomon Central Building, 1-7-1 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- License No.: Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Registered Travel Agency No. 1892
- Travel association: Full member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
Reminders
A minimum of 15 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 14 day(s) before the departure date
In case of delays caused by traffic, weather, or other force majeure factors resulting in the cancellation of some itinerary attractions, please contact customer service. We will arrange a partial refund for you
In the event of inclement weather such as typhoons or snowstorms, a decision on whether to cancel the tour will be made 1 day(s) before departure (local time 18:00). Notifications will then be sent via email
Travelers with the following conditions or other health issues that could be worsened by excessive stimulation should not participate in this activity: High blood pressure, Heart disease, Epilepsy, Pregnant women
Please arrive at the designated location 10 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
Meals are not included for children under the age of 6
Admission tickets will not be included for travelers under the age of 3 and are required to be purchased on-site
Images are for reference only. Some photos containing people are AI-generated illustrations. Actual scenery, facilities, and activities may vary due to season, weather, natural environment, shooting time, and on-site conditions. Please refer to the actual situation on the day. Thank you for your understanding.
Each passenger is limited to 1 suitcase. The maximum size for luggage stored in the bus is 120 cm in total dimensions (length + width + height). If you have special luggage (e.g., golf clubs, strollers, snowboards, surfboards, wheelchairs, or non-suitcase items), please note the type, quantity, and size when booking. The bus company reserves the right to refuse carriage.
If you need to leave the tour midway, please inform us at the time of booking and sign a departure agreement with the tour leader/guide on the day of the activity. Travelers who leave the tour midway or do not complete the entire itinerary will be considered to have voluntarily forfeited the remaining itinerary and related rights, and no fees will be refunded. The traveler is responsible for all transportation arrangements, personal safety, and property security after leaving the tour. The organizer is not responsible for any losses or expenses incurred. During free time, please pay attention to your personal and property safety. Any accidents or losses resulting from ignoring warnings are the traveler's responsibility.
The icebreaker boarding time may be adjusted based on reservations and on-site conditions. If the icebreaker is canceled on the day, it will be replaced by a visit to the observation deck and aquarium. Thank you for your understanding.
This tour will arrange a suitable vehicle based on the actual number of participants. For small groups, the driver will also serve as the service staff throughout the trip, and no separate tour leader will be arranged. Upon arrival at each attraction, travelers can explore freely.
This is a group tour for individual travelers. The guide may provide services in multiple languages including Chinese, English, and Japanese. You cannot request a guide who speaks a specific language. Thank you for your understanding.
If the Garinko is full or cannot be arranged for other reasons, we may arrange for the Abashiri Aurora icebreaker depending on the day's booking and operational status. Specific arrangements are subject to the booking on the day of departure and the final confirmation from the shipping company.
Room types are subject to hotel availability and cannot be specified.
The times listed in the itinerary are estimates. The actual schedule, duration of stay, and order of attractions may be adjusted due to traffic, weather, road closures, local events, restaurant reservations, or attraction operating hours. If necessary, stay times may be shortened or some attractions may be canceled. Thank you for your understanding.
In winter, Hokkaido's travel times may be affected by snowfall, snow accumulation, and road conditions. The arrival times listed are estimates; actual arrival times may be delayed, and we cannot guarantee on-time arrival.
FAQ
1. When is the best time to experience the Monbetsu Garinko-go Icebreaker?
The Monbetsu Garinko-go Icebreaker operates during Hokkaido's winter season, which is the ideal time to witness the drift ice phenomenon. This typically spans from late January to early March. During these months, the Sea of Okhotsk is usually filled with spectacular drift ice, offering the best conditions to experience the thrilling sight of the icebreaker cutting through the frozen sea.
2. How can tickets for the Monbetsu Garinko-go Icebreaker tour and other attractions be booked?
You can conveniently book your tickets for the Monbetsu Garinko-go Icebreaker tour and other included attractions, such as the Asahiyama Zoo and Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum, through KKday. Booking through KKday ensures a streamlined process, often providing bundled services like transportation and accommodation, simplifying your travel planning and offering a comprehensive package for a hassle-free experience.
3. What distinctive activities can be experienced at Asahiyama Zoo and the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum?
At Asahiyama Zoo, you can observe penguins, polar bears, and other Arctic animals in their natural habitats up close, offering unique perspectives on their behaviors. The Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum features a sub-zero experience room where you can directly feel the drift ice and its extreme temperatures, along with the opportunity to taste specialty drift ice ice cream for a unique culinary experience.
4. Is the Monbetsu Garinko-go Icebreaker experience worth visiting for first-time travelers?
Yes, for first-time travelers, the Monbetsu Garinko-go Icebreaker offers a truly unique and memorable winter experience in Hokkaido. You'll witness the spectacular sight of the icebreaker breaking through thick drift ice, which is a rare natural phenomenon. The tour also includes visits to other popular winter attractions, making it a comprehensive and enriching journey that highlights the best of Hokkaido's winter charm.
5. Where can visitors best observe drift ice during the tour, aside from the Monbetsu Garinko-go Icebreaker?
Beyond the Monbetsu Garinko-go Icebreaker, visitors can experience drift ice at the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum by entering its sub-zero experience room to touch and feel the ice. Additionally, for an expansive view, you have the option to pay for entry to the Okhotsk Ice Sea Observation Tower, which provides a panoramic overlook of the drift ice-filled sea and Monbetsu Port.
6. What unique experiences does the Monbetsu Garinko-go Icebreaker offer onboard?
The Monbetsu Garinko-go Icebreaker offers the thrilling experience of witnessing the vessel powerfully breaking through solid drift ice, creating a dynamic and immersive spectacle. Onboard, you can feel the vibrations and hear the crunching sounds as the ship navigates the frozen waters, providing an unforgettable close-up encounter with this impressive natural phenomenon.
7. What amenities and dining experiences are provided at the Abashiri lakeside onsen hotel during the tour?
During the tour, guests will stay overnight at a lakeside onsen hotel in Abashiri. The hotel provides comfortable accommodation and a relaxing hot spring experience. For dining, you will enjoy a delightful Hokkaido seafood buffet dinner, offering a wide array of fresh local delicacies to savor after a day of exploration.
8. How convenient is transportation from Sapporo for visiting attractions like Asahiyama Zoo and Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum?
Transportation from Sapporo is highly convenient for this tour, as it includes direct private transport from Sapporo to all major attractions. This dedicated coach service ensures a hassle-free journey to destinations such as the Asahiyama Zoo, Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum, and the Monbetsu Garinko-go Icebreaker, allowing you to relax and enjoy the scenic winter landscapes without concerns about self-driving or public transit connections.
