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Travelers enjoying a mini walk on the vast Notsuke Peninsula ice field in Hokkaido, experiencing the stunning 360-degree panoramic frozen bay, a unique highlight of the 2-day drift ice tour.
A majestic Steller's Sea Eagle or White-tailed Eagle soaring over the water during the Rausu drift ice cruise in Hokkaido, offering a high chance to spot these rare raptors up close.
The Rausu drift ice cruise boat navigates through a frozen sea in Hokkaido, with stunning snow-capped mountains in the background, offering a picturesque drift ice viewing experience.
An Abashiri drift ice cruise ship powerfully breaking through vast expanses of drift ice in Hokkaido, creating a dramatic path through the frozen sea, a spectacular winter sight.
A collage showcasing the Hokkaido drift ice 2-day tour's accommodation and dining, featuring delicious Japanese cuisine, relaxing onsen hot springs, and a traditional Japanese-style hotel room.

Fly from Sapporo Okadama Airport to Nakashibetsu Airport! Hokkaido Drift Ice 2-Day Tour | Limited to 20 people per day! Abashiri & Rausu Drift Ice Cruise and Notsuke Peninsula Ice Horizon Mini Walk | Departing from Okadama Airport, Hokkaido


Booking confirmation: within 10 days before the departure
Duration:2 day(s)
Guided language: 日本語
Free cancellation 21 day(s) prior to experience date
Please present the e-voucher on-site

  • On the Rausu Drift Ice Cruise, there is a 100% chance of encountering Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed sea eagles (as of 2023, according to a survey by Godzilla Rock Tourism).
  • In Abashiri, you can see the spectacular sight of the weight of the ship breaking through the ice.
  • Enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the ice on the "Ice Horizon Mini Walk" on the frozen Notsuke Bay.
  • Fly directly from Okadama Airport to Nemuro Nakashibetsu or Memanbetsu Airport on Hokkaido Air System (HAC)! Using an airplane within Hokkaido! A two-day, one-night drift ice cruise in Rausu and Abashiri is now possible!
[5% App discount] Code: APP5OFF , HK: APP15HK

Sightseeing Tours

Tour TypeShared tour
Minimum participant requirement10 travelers
Meal arrangementLunch included
Accommodation typeHotel
Room typeDouble room, Triple room, Quadruple room
Sightseeing typeNatural sights, Eco-tourism
TransportSightseeing cruise, Bus tour
Cruise typeSightseeing boat

Product Info

The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.

[Rausu Drift Ice Cruise]

Cruise along the drift ice while searching for birds and animals. Rausu Town is located on the eastern side of the Shiretoko Peninsula, at the northeastern tip of Hokkaido, and is the final destination for the drift ice, so you can see more of it than in other places. There's a high chance of encountering Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed eagles gathering on the ice.

[Abashiri Drift Ice Icebreaker Aurora]

You can see the spectacular sight of the ship breaking through the drift ice that has come down from the north to the south with its weight. You may also encounter wild animals that arrive with the drift ice.

[Notsuke Peninsula Ice Horizon Mini Walk & Trick Art Experience]

Notsuke Bay on the Notsuke Peninsula freezes over in the harsh winter, revealing a vast, flat plain of ice. You can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the ice and a trick art experience on the vast ice plain by taking the "Ice Horizon Mini Walk" over the frozen Notsuke Bay.

・This is a windy and cold area. Please be sure to dress warmly and protect from the wind.

・Please prepare clothing that covers as little skin as possible to protect from the cold (e.g. hat, gloves, scarf, etc.)

・We recommend wearing snow boots or other long shoes with anti-slip and waterproof features as you will be walking on snow.

・Winter clothing and boots are not available for rental.

・Those who are lightly dressed or unprepared may be refused entry.

・In the event of bad weather or thin ice on the sea surface, the tour may be cancelled or only the slides inside the museum may be available.

・Customers' smartphones and cameras will be used to take trick photos.

- On the day, please follow the instructions of the staff and act in groups.

[About the drift ice tour]

・Drift ice is a natural phenomenon, so it may not be possible to see it depending on weather conditions (tides, wind direction, etc.).

・The tour will proceed regardless of the arrival or departure of the drift ice. Even if the drift ice has not arrived at the shore, cancellation fees will be charged in the event of cancellation or changes.

・We will not inform customers about the drift ice conditions before departure. Please refer to the "Sea Ice Forecast" published on the Japan Meteorological Agency's website.

・If you are unable to see the drift ice, the accompanying tour guide (TD) will provide you with alternative options. Please note that the facilities we can show you may be limited depending on the itinerary, location, and season.

・The operation of the icebreaker does not depend on the presence or absence of drifting ice, and if there is no drifting ice on the route, the tour will be conducted on the sea, but there will be no refunds.If the tour is canceled due to bad weather, high waves, etc., we will guide you to an alternative sightseeing spot or refund the difference in price at a later date.

For safety reasons, all passengers on the Rausu Cruise will be required to wear life jackets.

[Advance notice]

This tour is conducted in Japanese only.

Please note that all tour guidance from the tour conductor will be in Japanese only. However, to ensure the smooth running of the tour and safety, we will provide as much information as possible using a translation app (meeting place, departure time, etc.).

・Please observe the following when participating:
・Please make your reservation using your correct name and email address.

Please be on time during the tour, if you are late the tour will depart.

Purchase Notice

[Tour conditions]

Departure point/Destination: Hokkaido/Sapporo

Length of trip: 1 night, 2 days

Transportation: Plane and chartered bus

Bus company: Abashiri Bus or equivalent

Meal requirements: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner

Accommodation: Abashiri Lakeside Hot Springs, Abashiri Lakeside Inn

Room type: Japanese-Western style room

Minimum number of participants: 10

Tour conductor: 1

Guide: 0 ※No guide-interpreters will accompany the tour

[Travel planning/implementation]

Company name: CLUB TOURISM INTERNATIONAL INC.

Address: 1-9-6 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo

Registration number: Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agency No. 1693

Travel industry association: Full member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents

[Consignment sales]

KKDAY JAPAN Inc.

2nd Floor, WESTALL Yotsuya Building, 1-22-5 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004

Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agency No. 2045

Affiliated organization: Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)

Reminders

  • A minimum of 10 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 10 day(s) before the departure date

  • Please arrive at the designated location 50 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time

  • When boarding the Rausu Drift Ice Cruise, you will be required to wear a life jacket (rented).

  • When boarding the drift ice sightseeing icebreaker Aurora, you will not be required to wear life jackets, but they will be carried on board in case of an emergency.

  • Drift ice may not be visible due to natural phenomena. Also, the icebreaker may be suspended depending on the drift ice's approaching status and weather conditions. If you cancel or change your trip due to this event, a cancellation fee will be charged from the cancellation date.

  • If there is no drift ice, the icebreaker will operate from Aomi. However, the tour may be canceled in the event of bad weather. In that case, we will guide you to an alternative sightseeing spot or refund the difference in the fare.

  • If your flight is cancelled, we may cancel the tour on the day of departure. If your return flight is cancelled, we may reschedule you to the next day's flight or provide you with alternative transportation such as bus or JR. If additional costs are incurred, you will be responsible for them.

  • For this course, you will need to enter the name, age, and gender of all participants. If we are unable to confirm all three points, we will not be able to reserve a seat on the plane. When applying, please be sure to enter and check the information correctly. If you are a foreign national, please make your reservation in katakana.

  • For domestic trips departing on or after May 1, 2025, any changes to meal contents due to serious food allergies, dietary restrictions based on medical judgment, religious reasons, etc. will incur a fee of 1,500 yen per meal, plus the actual cost if there is a difference in price.

  • Cancellation fees will also be charged for delays or non-participation due to transportation delays, etc. The tour will depart at the scheduled departure time.

  • Please note that the return time may be delayed due to weather or road conditions. If delays in the itinerary result in cancellation of flights, meals, or other reservations that you have made yourself, we will not be held responsible.

  • The order of the itinerary may be changed.

  • The aircraft you will be using will be Hokkaido Air System (HAC).

  • Children (ages 6-11) are charged the same as adults. Infants (ages 5 and under) are not permitted to participate.

  • We will guide you on a cruise where there is usually a high chance of encountering Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed eagles, but as they are wild animals, there is a chance that you may not be able to see them depending on the weather on the day.

  • If visibility is poor or depending on the weather, you may not be able to enjoy the views and scenery.

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellations 21 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
  • For cancellations made 8 to 20 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 20% will apply
  • For cancellations made 2 to 7 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 30% will apply
  • For cancellations made 1 to 1 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 40% will apply
  • Cancellation is not allowed between 0–0 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
NOTE
  • Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.

FAQ

1. Do I need to book the Abashiri Icebreaker Cruise in advance?

To ensure a smooth experience on the Abashiri Icebreaker Cruise, we highly recommend booking in advance. Especially during the ice floe season, demand for tickets is high, so early reservations will secure your spot. Booking through KKday allows you to confirm all your itinerary arrangements at once, saving you the hassle of queuing and purchasing tickets on-site, making your trip even smoother.

2. What is the best month to experience Hokkaido's icebreaker cruises?

The best season to experience Hokkaido's icebreaker cruises typically falls between late January and early March. During this period, the Sea of Okhotsk has the most stable and spectacular ice floes, with good visibility, making it the prime time to view them. Specific conditions vary annually due to weather, so it's advisable to check local ice floe reports before your trip to catch the optimal viewing opportunities.

3. Where are the meeting points for the Abashiri and Rausu icebreaker cruises?

The Abashiri Icebreaker Cruise typically departs from the 'Michi-no-Eki Ryuhyo Kaido Abashiri' at Abashiri Port. The Rausu Icebreaker Cruise departs from Rausu Port, with each operator having designated boarding docks or visitor centers. We recommend confirming the detailed meeting point and time when you book to ensure a smooth check-in and avoid delays.

4. How long does a typical Abashiri Icebreaker Cruise journey last?

The standard duration for an Abashiri Icebreaker Cruise is usually around 60 minutes. This timeframe is sufficient for passengers to fully experience the awe-inspiring sight of the icebreaker navigating through the ice floes and to admire the magnificent icy landscapes of the Sea of Okhotsk. Some tours may have slight adjustments due to ice conditions or special arrangements, so it's advisable to refer to the on-site or booking information.

5. What are the recommended viewing times for the Abashiri Icebreaker Cruise daily?

The Abashiri Icebreaker Cruise operates several departures daily, typically from morning to afternoon. Generally, early morning or late afternoon departures offer opportunities to see unique sunlight angles, such as the tranquility of early morning or the orange-red light of dusk illuminating the ice floes, presenting different scenes. However, during the day, visibility is high, making it easier to capture clear views of the ice. Please refer to the daily schedule for specific departure times.

6. What unique wildlife can be spotted during a Rausu Icebreaker Cruise?

A major highlight of the Rausu Icebreaker Cruise is its rich wildlife ecosystem. Here, there's a high chance of encountering large birds of prey, particularly the Steller's Sea Eagle and White-tailed Eagle, often referred to as the 'Kings of the Sky.' They frequently perch or hunt on the ice floes, offering rare close-up viewing opportunities, which is a unique ecological experience in Rausu.

7. What unique ice-walking experiences does the Notsuke Peninsula Ice Surface Mini Walk offer?

The Notsuke Peninsula Ice Surface Mini Walk allows you to experience walking on the vast frozen surface of Notsuke Bay, offering a unique sensation of traversing a frozen expanse. You can enjoy unobstructed 360-degree views of the pure white icy landscape, feeling the unique winter silence and grandeur, as if you are in a world of ice and snow. This experience combines light trekking with nature exploration, making it a special, winter-only activity.

8. What kind of ice-breaking sights can be seen on the Abashiri Icebreaker Cruise?

The most captivating sight on the Abashiri Icebreaker Cruise is the spectacular scene of the vessel using its own weight and specially designed hull to carve a path through thick ice floes. You can personally feel the vibrations and hear the sounds of the ship impacting the ice, observe the process of ice blocks being pushed, shattered, and overturned, and experience the unique charm and natural power of breaking through the ice.

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