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3-Day Hokkaido Drift Ice & Train Tour | Exclusive Charter of the 'SL Winter Wetland Train' and Breathtaking Drift Ice Cruise [Departing from Tokyo]
・This is a high-quality, reliable Japan tour planned by 'Club Tourism,' a major Japanese travel agency with over 70 years of history. Our tour leaders, known for their hospitality, will accompany you, and we have received high praise from international guests.
・The tour is conducted in Japanese, but many guests from Taiwan and Hong Kong participate, so first-timers can join with peace of mind.
Efficiently tour the breathtaking winter scenery of Hokkaido over 3 days.
・SL Winter Wetland Train: A limited-time train! The 'Black Express' stands out against the silver-covered Kushiro Wetland.
・Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing Icebreaker Ship: Board the 'Aurora.' Witness the powerful sight of the ship breaking through the ice with its own weight.
・At Lake Mashu, enjoy the breathtaking contrast between the snow-covered mountains and the 'Mashu Blue.'
・We will also guide you to Oshinkoshin Falls, the station closest to the Sea of Okhotsk (Kitahama Station), Meruhen no Oka, and Tsurumidai in Kushiro.
・Stay at Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel and Kushiro Prince Hotel.
Package Options
Product Info
* The order of the itinerary may vary depending on the departure date.
【SL Winter Wetland Train】
A limited-time train! Enjoy a private charter of the Black Express as it travels through the silver-covered Kushiro Marsh!
1. A Japan Airlines (JAL) cabin attendant, serving as a JAL Hometown Ambassador, will be on board to welcome you, see you off, and assist with commemorative photos.
2. Enjoy original in-train announcements by the JAL Hometown Ambassador, highlighting the magnificent nature outside the window and wildlife such as red-crowned cranes, white-tailed eagles, and deer.
3. We have prepared special gifts exclusively for this chartered tour. You will also receive an original boarding certificate as a memento!
【Icebreaker Ship 'Aurora'】
A large ship that powerfully crushes through thick ice! The sight of the ship breaking through the ice with its own weight, accompanied by a booming sound, is a spectacular experience you cannot find on other drift ice cruises!
- Drift ice is a natural phenomenon. Depending on weather conditions (tides, wind direction, etc.) on the day of your trip, you may not be able to see it. Additionally, the icebreaker ship may be suspended due to ice conditions or weather. Even if the ship departs, you may not be able to see drift ice due to tides or wind direction. Please understand that in such cases, cancellation or changes to the trip will be subject to standard cancellation fees from the designated date.
- If there is no drift ice, the 'Aurora' will operate as an Okhotsk Sea sightseeing cruise (approx. 45 minutes), and any price difference will be refunded. In the event of cancellation due to severe weather, we will guide you to an alternative sightseeing spot or provide a refund for the difference.
【Experience the Fantastic Silver Landscapes Created by Nature!】
Lake Mashu Kamui Terrace: Winter is when Lake Mashu shines most mysteriously. The contrast between the snow-covered mountains and the 'Mashu Blue' is breathtaking!
Oshinkoshin Falls: A famous waterfall among the Shiretoko Eight Views. The sight of the water cascading down from the cliff is overwhelmingly powerful.
Kitahama Station: The station closest to the Okhotsk Sea. The magnificent Okhotsk Sea spreads out right from the platform. You can overlook the stunning views of the Okhotsk Sea and the Shiretoko Mountain Range!
Merry-go-round Hill (Meruhen no Oka): Known for its beautiful rural scenery in every season, in winter it transforms into a vast, fantastic snowfield that will move you!
Kushiro Tsurumidai: A habitat for the red-crowned crane, a national special natural treasure. You can see many cranes here in winter.
【Also Featuring Hokkaido's Exquisite Gourmet Food】
Enjoy a lunch of a seafood bowl featuring 11 types of seafood, including botan shrimp and scallops, in Abashiri.
【Accommodation】
Stay at Kushiro Prince Hotel and Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel.
- Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel: We provide a hotel in a convenient location for sightseeing with a spectacular hot spring overlooking the Okhotsk Sea! Enjoy the luxury of soaking in a hot spring while gazing at the Okhotsk Sea in the World Natural Heritage site of Shiretoko. Relax in the Utoro Onsen, known as the 'beauty bath.' For dinner, enjoy the popular Maruskoi buffet with 80 Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes! Savor sushi prepared by chefs right before your eyes, freshly grilled steak, tempura, and more. Plus, dinner includes an all-you-can-drink service with alcohol!
- Kushiro Prince Hotel: A city hotel in Kushiro. Rooms are Western-style only! For dinner, use your Port Town Coupon (worth 2,000 yen) to dine at your preferred restaurant (can also be used within the hotel), featuring local Kushiro specialties like Robatayaki.
- This product is a 'Request Booking,' and it takes time to confirm your reservation. Since arrangements are made on a first-come, first-served basis, we may be unable to accept your booking or you may be placed on a waiting list depending on availability. The final status of your reservation will be confirmed upon the issuance of your voucher. In the unlikely event that the tour cannot be operated due to being fully booked, we will contact you within the specified number of days. Please note that if you do not wish to be on the waiting list, cancellation (with a refund) is also possible.
- This tour is conducted in Japanese only.
Please note that all guidance from the tour conductor during the trip will be provided in Japanese only. However, for the smooth operation and safety of the tour, we will provide information to the extent possible using translation apps (such as meeting points, departure times, etc.).
Please observe the following when participating:
- Please book with your correct name and email address.
- Please be punctual with meeting times during the tour. If you miss the meeting time, the tour will depart.
Embark on a breathtaking drift ice cruise! (Image shown; drift ice is a natural phenomenon and may not be visible.)
★Chartered by our company★ The Black Express (SL Winter Marshland Train/Image) stands out against the snow-covered Kushiro Marshland.
Lake Mashu Kamui Terrace *Image
Fairytale Hill *Image
Oshinkoshin Falls (image)
Enjoy Hokkaido's gourmet delights, including 11 kinds of seafood rice bowls! Lunch example (image)
Red-crowned crane (image) *As this is a wild animal, it may not be seen.
Purchase Notice
[Travel conditions]
Departure point/Destination: Tokyo/Hokkaido
Trip duration: 2 nights, 3 days
Transportation used: airplane, chartered bus
Bus company: Abashiri Bus or equivalent class
Airline: Japan Airlines
Meal plan: Breakfast twice, lunch once, dinner twice
Accommodation used:
<Departure on March 1st, 1st night; Departure on March 2nd & 3rd, 2nd night> Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel
Guest Rooms: Western-style rooms [double or twin], Japanese-style rooms, or Japanese-Western style rooms
<Departure on March 1st, 2nd night; Departure on March 2nd & 3rd, 1st night> Kushiro Prince Hotel
Guest Rooms: Western-style rooms [Single, Twin, Double]
・If you book a room for 3 or more people, your accommodation in Kushiro may be arranged using an extra bed, or you may be split into two rooms.
Please leave the room assignment at our discretion. Room layouts and views from rooms vary from one accommodation to another.
Minimum number of participants: 20
Tour guide: Partial accompaniment (accompanied only within Hokkaido)
Guide: 0 (Guidance will be in Japanese) *A licensed tour guide will not accompany the tour.
[Travel planning/execution]
Company Name: Club Tourism International Inc
Address: 1-9-6 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Registration Number: Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agency No. 1693
Affiliated travel industry association: Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) Regular Member
[Consignment Sales]
KKDAY JAPAN Co., Ltd.
2nd Floor, WESTALL Yotsuya Building, 1-22-5 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004, Japan
Registered Travel Agency No. 2045, Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency
Member organization: Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
Reminders
A minimum of 20 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 21 day(s) before the departure date
Depending on your departure date, the order of accommodations and sightseeing will be adjusted accordingly.
For this tour, those with an odd number of participants will generally be seated with other passengers on the bus.
We may offer tours with a different order of accommodations and sightseeing spots, or tours in the reverse order. (However, sightseeing spots will not be omitted or shortened.)
The drift ice cruise and the SL Winter Marshland train may be suspended due to bad weather or vehicle malfunctions.
The route for the SL Winter Marshland Train may be subject to change.
Since drift ice is a natural phenomenon, it may not be visible depending on the weather.
Wild animals may not be visible.
The menu may be subject to change depending on factors such as poor catches or supply conditions.
Due to the seating arrangement on airplanes, even if you book as part of the same group, your seats may be separated, and even if you book for two people, you may not be seated next to each other (you may be seated in a row).
FAQ
1. What unique experiences can be enjoyed on the Abashiri drift ice sightseeing icebreaker 'Aurora'?
On the Abashiri drift ice sightseeing icebreaker 'Aurora', visitors can witness the breathtaking spectacle of the ship breaking through thick ice floes using its own weight. This provides a dynamic and immersive way to experience the vast, icy landscapes of the Okhotsk Sea, offering unique photographic opportunities and a close-up view of Hokkaido's winter nature.
2. What highlights can be seen while riding the SL Winter Marshland Train in Kushiro?
The SL Winter Marshland Train offers a nostalgic journey through the snow-covered Kushiro Marshland. You'll see the distinctive black express train against a pristine white backdrop, providing picturesque views of Hokkaido's natural winter environment. It's a limited-time experience that evokes a sense of classic travel amidst serene landscapes.
3. What makes Lake Mashu a significant stop on a winter tour of Hokkaido?
Lake Mashu is renowned for its stunning "Mashu Blue" waters, which create a breathtaking contrast with the surrounding snow-covered mountains during winter. Often shrouded in mist, the lake offers a serene and mystical atmosphere, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to witness one of Japan's clearest and most beautiful caldera lakes in its winter grandeur.
4. What are the typical snow and ice conditions expected during winter for experiencing drift ice in Abashiri and observing Lake Mashu?
During Hokkaido's winter, particularly from late January to March, Abashiri is known for its extensive drift ice, providing optimal conditions for icebreaker cruises. Lake Mashu will typically be surrounded by snow, showcasing a beautiful contrast with its blue waters. While snowfall can vary, a pristine winter landscape with significant snow accumulation is generally expected, enhancing the scenic beauty.
5. How many days are recommended to fully experience the winter highlights of Eastern Hokkaido, including Shiretoko Daiichi and Kushiro Prince Hotel areas?
A 3-day tour is designed to efficiently cover the major winter highlights of Eastern Hokkaido. This duration allows for experiences like the SL Winter Marshland Train, the Abashiri drift ice cruise, and visits to scenic spots like Lake Mashu and Oshinkoshin Falls, with overnight stays at quality accommodations such as Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel and Kushiro Prince Hotel.
6. What practical considerations are important when visiting Oshinkoshin Falls during Hokkaido's winter season?
When visiting Oshinkoshin Falls in winter, travelers should wear warm, waterproof clothing and appropriate non-slip footwear due to snow and ice around the viewing areas. The falls often present a dramatic scene with icy formations, so be prepared for cold temperatures and potentially slippery surfaces to safely enjoy this unique winter waterfall spectacle.
7. Is a guided tour an efficient way to visit multiple Hokkaido winter sights like Kita Station and Märchen Hill without a car?
Yes, a guided tour offers a highly efficient way to visit multiple winter attractions in Hokkaido, such as Kita Station and Märchen Hill, without the need for personal driving. It streamlines logistics, ensuring convenient transportation between various sites and allowing travelers to relax and enjoy the scenery, especially during challenging winter road conditions.
8. How does the tour guide's Japanese narration enhance the understanding of attractions like Lake Mashu and the SL Winter Marshland Train for international visitors?
The Japanese narration provided by experienced tour guides offers in-depth cultural insights, historical context, and local anecdotes about attractions like Lake Mashu and the SL Winter Marshland Train. While the tour is conducted in Japanese, many international participants from regions like Taiwan and Hong Kong have found it engaging, enriching their overall appreciation of Hokkaido's winter landscape and unique experiences.
