[Guaranteed departure for all departure dates] Sapporo Departure - 2-Day Drift Ice Tour by Bus - Same Price for One Person, One Room | Drift Ice Walking Experience, Icebreaker Aurora for Drift Ice Viewing
- All departure dates confirmed
- Board the Aurora icebreaker and watch the ice break up from up close on the ocean.
- The limited-time activity "Drift Ice Walk" allows you to wear a dry suit and have a special experience of floating with and touching the drift ice.
- You can relax and enjoy the hot springs in the hotel's large public bath.
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Minimum participant requirement | 1 traveler |
| Tour types | None |
| Accommodation type | Hotel |
| Room type | Double room |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights |
| Transport | Sightseeing cruise, Bus tour |
| Cruise type | Sightseeing boat |
Product Info
Purchase Notice
[Travel conditions]
Departure/Destination: Hokkaido
Length of trip: 1 night, 2 days
Transportation: Chartered bus
Bus company: Hokuto Kotsu or equivalent
Meal conditions: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Accommodation: Route Inn Grantia Shiretoko Shari Ekimae (Western-style single/twin room)
Minimum number of participants: 1
Tour conductor: 1
Guide: 0 *No guide-interpreters will accompany
[Travel planning/implementation]
Company name: CLUB TOURISM INTERNATIONAL INC
Address: 1-9-6 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Registration number: Tourism Agency Commissioner's 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
Tourism Agency Commissioner's Registered Travel Agency No. 2045
Member organization: Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
Reminders
Please arrive at the designated location 20 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
The drift ice may not be visible depending on weather conditions.
In the event of bad weather, the drift ice walk may be cancelled.
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.
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.
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.
The operation of the drift ice icebreaker is not affected by the presence or absence of drift ice, and if there is no drift ice on the route, the tour will be a sea tour, but no refunds will be given. In the event of a cancellation due to bad weather, high waves, etc., we will guide you to an alternative sightseeing spot or refund the difference in fare at a later date. Also, depending on the departure time of the "Drift Ice Icebreaker Aurora," the order of the itinerary may be changed, so the arrival time at Sapporo Station may be delayed or advanced.
On the second day, you will take a drift ice walk, walking on the drift ice and taking photos in the seawater. The walk will take about an hour, accompanied by a professional guide. Please note that there are restrictions as listed below, so please check before booking.
Conditions for participation // Age: Elementary school age or older, under 75 years old / Height: 130cm or above / Weight: under 120kg *Children under elementary school age (0-5 years old) are not permitted to participate in the tour.
Please let us know your height, weight (approximate), and shoe size in advance so that we can determine the size of the dry suit you will wear on the drift ice walk.
Please refrain from wearing skirts. We recommend comfortable clothing such as sweatshirts, pants, or tracksuits. Pants will be tucked into socks, so please wear long socks and collarless clothing.
Participants must be able to manage themselves and have the physical strength to do a hike. Pregnant women are not permitted to participate.
If you bring a camera or smartphone, staff will store it in a waterproof bag (up to one per group), but we cannot be held responsible for any damage or water damage. We do not allow single-lens reflex cameras due to their high cost.
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.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 15 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- For cancellations made 8 to 14 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.
- 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
The prime season for viewing drift ice in Hokkaido is typically from mid-February to early March each year. During this period, the ice coverage is high and stable, making it ideal for taking the Aurora icebreaker cruise to venture deep into the ice and feel the impressive impact of the ship against the ice. Additionally, many limited-time drift ice walking tours are also available at this time, allowing you to experience the remarkable phenomenon of drift ice up close.
In March, you can generally still have the opportunity to experience the Aurora icebreaker cruise and drift ice walking tours in Hokkaido, although the drift ice conditions can vary depending on the annual climate. Typically, drift ice conditions are more stable in early March. As spring temperatures gradually rise, the ice will begin to melt. If you plan to visit in March, it is recommended to arrange your itinerary as early as possible to increase your chances of seeing the drift ice.
To book popular tours such as the Hokkaido Aurora icebreaker cruise and drift ice walking, you can do so through online travel platforms. Booking with KKday offers the convenience of a wide selection of tours, a simple booking process, and support from Chinese-speaking customer service. As drift ice tours are seasonal and highly sought after, availability is limited. It is recommended to book in advance to ensure a smooth trip.
The Aurora icebreaker is designed with a special structure and powerful engines. Its bow is angled to 'climb' onto the surface of the drift ice, then uses the ship's own weight to crush the thick ice layers, rather than ramming it directly. This ice-breaking method allows the ship to navigate steadily through the drift ice, producing unique sounds of ice compression. This provides passengers with an immersive and close-up experience of the ice's power, offering a unique sightseeing journey.
The drift ice walking experience is a unique winter-only activity in Hokkaido. You will wear a special dry suit and, under the guidance of a professional guide, safely step onto the surface of the drift ice on the Sea of Okhotsk. The activity is not limited to just walking; you can also try lying on the ice or experiencing the wondrous sensation of floating in the icy sea, allowing for the most intimate interaction with the drift ice and an appreciation of its cold beauty and vastness.
Yes, this two-day drift ice bus tour departing from Sapporo includes accommodation arrangements, allowing you to rest fully after exploring the magnificent drift ice. The tour features a large public bath within the hotel, where you can enjoy a warm and comfortable hot spring experience after your cold outdoor activities, relaxing your body and mind, and easing the day's fatigue, thereby enhancing your overall travel comfort and enjoyment.
This drift ice bus tour from Sapporo offers a special 'guaranteed departure for all chosen dates' policy. This means that regardless of the number of bookings, your selected departure date is ensured to proceed as scheduled, without concern for cancellation due to insufficient participants. This provides great convenience and peace of mind for travelers planning to visit Hokkaido to see the drift ice, ensuring their travel plans are not subject to change.
In addition to cruising through magnificent drift ice on the Aurora icebreaker, Hokkaido's drift ice tours also include the limited-time 'drift ice walking' experience. This unique activity allows you to wear a professional dry suit and, under the guidance of an instructor, personally walk on the drift ice, touch the ice blocks, and even have the chance to experience the thrilling sensation of floating on the cold sea surface. It offers a more in-depth and interactive drift ice adventure than simply viewing.
Get Help
