[Confirmed Departure Dates] 2-Day Hokkaido Eastern Icebreaker Cruise | Garinscoting III Icebreaker Experience, Sounkyo Onsen Ice Festival, Asahikawa Snow Park, Asahizan Zoo, Mombetsu Sea of Okhotsk | Chinese-Speaking Guide | One Night Stay with Four Meals | Departure from Sapporo
- Winter-limited 2-day, 1-night package from Sapporo, including a snow park, penguin walk at Asahiyama Zoo, Sounkyo Onsen accommodation, and a nighttime icefall festival.
- Embark on the Monbetsu "Garinko III" icebreaker deep into the ice belt of the Sea of Okhotsk, experience the icebreaking spectacle up close, and have a chance to encounter wildlife.
- Combining sightseeing and photo opportunities: Climb the Okhotsk Tower for panoramic views of the icy sea, visit the 12-meter-tall giant crab claw landmark, and enjoy a local seafood lunch.
- Hassle-free throughout: Green-plate private car + Chinese-speaking tour guide, including entrance tickets and "one night with four meals" (buffet lunch and dinner on Day 1, breakfast and lunch on Day 2).
Package Options
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Departure Time | Standard Departure (8-9 am) |
| Minimum participant requirement | 8 travelers |
| Meal arrangement | Breakfast included, Lunch included, With dinner |
| Accommodation type | Hotel |
| Family-friendly | Free for children under 2 (no seat) |
| Seasonal | Winter Snow Exclusive |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights, Theme parks, Eco-tourism, Bus tour |
| Transport | Sightseeing cruise, Bus tour |
| Cruise type | Sightseeing 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.
Winter-only! Embark on a two-day, one-night dreamlike snow country journey starting from Sapporo. On the first day, visit popular attractions such as the Asahiyama Zoo and a snow park. Experience a variety of fun snow activities, watch the penguin parade (a winter-only event), enjoy a local-style lunch, and then check into a popular hot spring hotel to relax and enjoy the winter nighttime illuminations and icefall festival. The next day, travel to Mombetsu to board the icebreaker "Garinko III" and experience the breathtaking sight of cutting through the drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk. Lunch will be at a local market featuring fresh seafood, and you can also ascend the observation tower for panoramic views of the drift ice. Perfect for couples, families, and friends, this trip combines animals, hot springs, gourmet food, and polar natural scenery to experience the unique charm of Hokkaido in winter!
- Attraction Introduction -
【Okhotsk Tower】
The Okhotsk Tower overlooking the sea, is 38.5 meters above sea level and 7.5 meters below sea level. Weather permitting, the top floor offers panoramic views of the Shiretoko mountain range. The second-floor lobby features Hokkaido's first 360-degree immersive theater, "4D-KING," while the underground underwater level offers sound and light displays and exhibits of near-shore marine life.
Icebreaker Garinko III IMERU
Embark on a thrilling winter voyage aboard the icebreaker "Garinko III IMERU"! Every winter, the Sea of Okhotsk is covered in vast ice floes. The Garinco III uses a powerful auger to break through the thick ice, leading passengers deep into the white icefield. During the voyage, you can witness the breathtaking sight of the ice floes breaking apart, and if you're lucky, you might even spot seals or other polar wildlife. Experiencing the magnificence and mystery of Hokkaido's harsh winter is a popular winter experience in Hokkaido. The ship is fully equipped, ensuring that families, couples, and photography enthusiasts can all enjoy this icy adventure!
【Special Pattern: Giant Crab Claw Statue】
When visiting Mombetsu, Hokkaido, you absolutely can't miss this 12-meter-tall "giant crab claw" landmark! Standing tall on the coast of Okhotsk, it appears to emerge from the seabed ice, its striking and amusing design making it a super popular spot for photos. Whether you pretend to be pinched by the claw or stand in front of it looking up, it's a fun and memorable image. Originally designed to promote Mombetsu's drift ice and crab culture, this art installation has now become a symbol of the city. The winter-limited phenomenon of "claw tips freezing" is considered a good omen for a bountiful harvest by locals. Covered in snow in winter, it adds an even more fantastical touch.
【Sounkyo Hot Spring Icefall Festival】
The Sounkyo Onsen Icefall Festival is Hokkaido's most representative large-scale ice festival. Within a vast venue spanning 10,000 square meters, approximately thirty ice sculptures and snow structures of varying sizes are displayed, offering a taste of an ice kingdom. At night, colorful lights illuminate the ice sculptures, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Preparations begin three months in advance. Water from the Ishikari River, flowing through the venue, is continuously poured onto a log frame, and the freezing and sculpting processes are repeated to meticulously create each ice sculpture.
Sounkyo is also renowned as one of Hokkaido's premier hot spring resorts. The Ishikari River, Hokkaido's longest river, flows through Sounkyo, creating a vast valley stretching for 24 kilometers with sheer cliffs. It is thanks to its rugged terrain and harsh climate that even waterfalls freeze over, creating a breathtaking winter spectacle. Experience a heart-stirring winter amidst the striking beauty of snow and ice.
【Meteor Shower & Ginga Waterfalls】
"Ryusei Waterfalls" flows swiftly like a shooting star flashing across the night sky, while "Ginga Waterfalls" cascades down as delicately as white silk. These two famous scenic spots in Sounkyo, each with its own unique charm, have both been selected as one of Japan's 100 best waterfalls. Ryusei Waterfalls is majestic and imposing, like a male waterfall, and is called the "Male Waterfall"; while Ginga Waterfalls is gentle and graceful, like a female waterfall, and is called the "Female Waterfall." Together, they are known as the "Couple Waterfalls."
Asahiyama Zoo
Asahikawa Zoo, located in the northernmost part of Japan, was built in 1967 (Showa 42) and has now become a representative tourist attraction of Hokkaido. Its approximately 152,000 square kilometers of grounds are home to about 120 species of animals. At one point, it almost had to close due to a decline in visitor numbers. After improving its facilities, it moved beyond simply displaying the animals' physical forms, instead showcasing their lives through interactive exhibits, allowing visitors to witness their vibrant ecology up close. This sparked a buzz and attracted tourists from all over the country, making it an incredibly popular zoo. Now, foreign tourists also flock to the zoo, making it a bustling hub. The penguin walk is one of the most popular shows in winter. As soon as the zoo opens, visitors rush to queue up to watch the penguins walk. The penguin walk is intended to increase the penguins' exercise and help them lose weight, but it ironically attracts more tourists.
Snow Park
Experience a variety of fun snow activities in a snow-covered winter wonderland! Whether you're an adult or a child, you can enjoy a fairytale-like snow paradise.
From the thrilling yet safe "Snow Tubing" to the "Bubble Ball Experience" where you tumble inside a giant transparent sphere, and the "Fat Bike" perfect for outdoor adventures, there's also the fun-filled "Snow Soccer" with friends. In addition, there's a rooftop observation deck offering stunning views of the snow-covered landscape, and a "Snow Play Area" for children to build snowmen and play with snowballs. With such a variety of snow activities, you can fully enjoy the charm of Hokkaido's winter without even having to ski!
Please refer to the information below for details on drift ice over the years:
~Ice Flood Arrival Information~ Information sourced from the Maritime Information Department of the Japan Coast Guard.
• First Day of Drift Ice: The day when drift ice is first seen at a weather station
• The day the drift ice disappeared from sight: The day the drift ice disappeared from sight (usually determined retrospectively).
2018 [The first day of drift ice] ◆ February 1st [The last day of drift ice] ◆ February 26
2019 [The First Day of Drift Ice] ◆ January 28 [The Last Day of Drift Ice] ◆ February 22
2020 [The First Day of Drift Ice] ◆ January 28 [The Last Day of Drift Ice] ◆ March 27
2021 [The First Day of Drift Ice] ◆ January 22 [The Last Day of Drift Ice] ◆ March 20
2022 [First Day of Drift Ice] ◆ January 20 *Due to a review of the observation system starting in 2022, information on the last day of drift ice will no longer be published.
2023 [First Day of Drift Ice] ◆ February 4
2024 [First Day of Drift Ice] ◆ January 19
2025 [First Day of Drift Ice] ◆ February 1
* According to the latest ice monitoring data, the initial observation scale and coverage of drift ice in December 2025 showed a surge compared to the same period in 2024. Based on this growth trend and historical patterns, it is estimated that there is a very high probability of observing drift ice along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk in mid-to-late January 2026.
Snow activities included in Plan A
Plan B Snow Activities Included
Purchase Notice
- Please provide the dimensions and number of your luggage upon registration. Failure to do so may result in the tour guide refusing to allow your luggage on board, and the luggage will exceed the permitted number of passengers and luggage capacity. Guests will be required to store their luggage elsewhere at their own expense. If you are unable to board the bus due to luggage being unable to be stored, no refund or compensation will be provided.
- If you are booking for multiple people, please be sure to indicate the number of rooms in the remarks column.
【Travel Conditions】
Travel origin and destination: Hokkaido, Hokkaido
Travel duration: 1 night and 2 days
Transportation: Chartered bus
Bus Company Name: Central Tourism
Meals: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Accommodation: Sounkyo Kanko Hotel, Chaoyang Resort Hotel or similar
Minimum group size: 8
Team leader: 0
Tour guide: 1
【Travel Planning/Implementation】
Operating company name: Hakkazu Co., Ltd.
Address: 3F, Daiichi Yamazaki Hall 2-12, Kitorokujo Nishi 6-chome, Kita-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido
License Number: Hokkaido Governor's Travel Business Registration No. 2-863
Travel Industry Association Name: ANTA
Reminders
A minimum of 8 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 7 day(s) before the departure date
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 12:00). Notifications will then be sent via email
Please arrive at the designated location 15 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
Meals are not included for children under the age of 2
The bus departs at a fixed time. Please gather at the designated location on time and strictly adhere to the gathering and departure time. Latecomers will not be allowed to wait for you to avoid affecting the rights of others.
If you leave the group due to personal reasons, the tour fee will not be refunded.
The itinerary order may be adjusted based on traffic conditions on the day.
If the itinerary is delayed, changed, suspended, or attractions are cancelled due to traffic, weather, or other force majeure factors, the company will prioritize safety and will return or adjust the itinerary as necessary. No alternative arrangements or refunds will be made for attractions and meals that were not visited or enjoyed. Please understand that no compensation will be provided.
The actual time of visiting each attraction on the day will be subject to traffic conditions and the number of participants. In the event of closure or restricted admission times of attractions, the itinerary will be adjusted accordingly. Thank you for your understanding.
Snow conditions, drifting ice, starry skies, and falling snow are all natural phenomena. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to see them. Please understand.
Due to the limited supply of hotel rooms, if the hotel is full, you will be arranged to stay in other hotels of the same level.
If the group has a small number of participants, a sea lion or minibus may be used. In this case, the driver will also serve as the tour leader to lead everyone to complete the trip.
Tours departing before the end of January may not be able to attend the Icefall Festival. The Icefall Festival is held at the organizer's discretion and typically opens at the end of January each year. Please understand that if the event is not open yet, please do not attend.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please inform us in advance when registering (e.g., you don't eat beef, are vegetarian, etc.). We will note your special needs with the restaurant.
Room types are determined by the hotel and cannot be specified. Please note any smoking/non-smoking room or other specific requests in advance. The hotel will arrange accordingly.
Passengers are requested to bring their own motion sickness medicine, rain gear, etc.
It is recommended that passengers purchase personal travel insurance on their own.
Skiing, snow sports, hot springs, horseback riding, and water activities are all risky activities. Please assess the risks yourself and purchase travel insurance. The Company, its employees, and partners assume no liability for property loss, bodily injury, or death caused by force majeure, but will do their best to assist.
In accordance with Japan's Maritime Transportation Act, passengers aboard the icebreaker ship "Garino" will be required to register their passport number starting in April 2024. Please enter your passport number in the ID number field when booking. Failure to fill in this information or incorrectly filling in this information will result in non-refundable boarding. Please note that we apologize for any inconvenience caused by missing or incorrect information.
Due to the limited daily quota during the promotion period, the discount will be arranged based on the order of booking. If the discount quota is reached, it may be cancelled. The final decision will be based on whether the redemption voucher is obtained. Please understand.
This service provider reserves all rights of interpretation.
【Friendly Reminder Regarding Overseas Travel Insurance】 Overseas medical treatment and emergency rescue costs are high. To ensure a safer and smoother trip, we recommend that you purchase travel insurance that covers overseas medical care and accidents before your trip.
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 50% 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 drift ice season in the Okhotsk Sea off Monbetsu typically runs from late January to early March. The prime viewing period is February, when the ice coverage is at its maximum, allowing the icebreaker to venture deep into the ice floes for the most spectacular experience. You may still have a chance to witness the magnificent drift ice even in early March.
The Garinko III icebreaker departs from Monbetsu Port in Monbetsu City, Hokkaido. Passengers board at the Monbetsu Ocean Exchange Center (Drift Ice Museum). Monbetsu is an important port city on the Okhotsk coast, renowned for its unique winter drift ice scenery.
You can book a 2-day Eastern Hokkaido drift ice tour through KKday. This tour includes the Garinko III icebreaker experience, the Sounkyo Onsen Hyobaku Ice Festival, and the Asahiyama Snow Land winter activities. It also comes with a Chinese-speaking guide and private transportation, saving you the hassle of planning your own travel and allowing you to fully enjoy your winter trip to Hokkaido.
The Sounkyo Onsen Hyobaku Ice Festival is an annual winter event in Hokkaido, usually held from late January to mid-March. The exact dates vary each year, so it's recommended to check the official announcement for the current year before planning your trip. During the festival, the illuminated ice sculptures at night create a dreamlike landscape.
Asahiyama Snow Land offers a variety of winter activities. Visitors can enjoy easy and fun snow facilities like sledding, snow donuts, and snow tubing, which are perfect for family fun. Additionally, there are play areas specifically designed for snow, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in Hokkaido's snowy world.
The winter-exclusive Penguin Walk event at Asahiyama Zoo typically runs during the snow season, from around mid-December to mid-March. There are several sessions each day, where the penguins walk from a dedicated passage, coming close to visitors. It's advisable to arrive early at the viewing spot to secure a good vantage point.
In Monbetsu, you can ascend the Okhotsk Tower for panoramic views of the ice sea, experiencing the grandeur of the drift ice. Next to the tower is the famous 12-meter giant crab claw landmark, a popular spot for photos. Sounkyo offers the stunning ice sculptures of the Hyobaku Ice Festival, as well as natural beauty like the Ginga and Ryusei Waterfalls, all of which are excellent spots for photos.
This 2-day tour includes private 'Green Car' shuttle service, departing from Sapporo, with a Chinese-speaking guide throughout, eliminating the need to plan your own transportation. Meals are covered by an 'one night, four meals' plan, consisting of a buffet lunch and dinner on the first day, and breakfast and lunch on the second day, ensuring you don't have to worry about dining during your trip and can fully enjoy the cuisine.
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