[Guaranteed to operate from 1 person] Hokkaido winter only | Drift ice day trip tour | Boarding the new drift ice icebreaker "Garinko-go III / IMERU" | Meal options available (departing from Sapporo)
- Experience the spectacular drift ice that can only be seen in Hokkaido's winter!
- Experience the vast scale of nature on board the new drift icebreaker "Garinko-go III IMERU"
- Lunch included plans are also available.
- [Important] Your passport number is required when boarding the Garinko. Please make sure to bring your passport with you on the day or write down your passport number.
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Minimum participant requirement | 1 traveler |
| Tour types | None |
| Meal arrangement | Lunch included, Arrange yourself |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights, Bus tour |
| Transport | Sightseeing cruise, Bus tour |
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.
-Tour Point-
Board the impressive Garinko, a boat that uses a large drill to penetrate the drift ice. This is a recommended plan only available in Hokkaido's winter.
- The drift icebreaker Garinko-go III and IMERU! The sight of them breaking the ice with their drills is a spectacular sight!
This cruise ship is full of excitement as it pushes forward, using two large propellers attached to the bow to make a "grating" sound as it pushes through the drift ice. Even from on board, you can hear the sound and vibrations of the ice breaking, and the crushed ice floats up from the side of the ship, making for a truly impressive cruise. Another attraction is being able to see the drift ice up close. A winter spectacle that represents Hokkaido! Come experience the mystical and moving drift ice!
- The appeal of the new drift icebreaker Garinko-go III and IMERU
The sight of the ship moving through the mysterious drift ice that washes ashore in the Okhotsk Sea, Japan's northernmost sea, is simply breathtaking. Forget the cold and time and enjoy a moving, unknown experience to the fullest! If you're lucky, you might even spot flocks of birds such as Steller's sea eagles, white-tailed eagles, and slaty-backed gulls resting on the drift ice, or cute seals peeking out from between the ice floes.
- What is the third generation drift icebreaker, Garinko-go III and IMERU?
The third-generation Garinko-go III IMERU debuted on January 9, 2021. "Imeru" means "light" in the Ainu language. The number of passengers that can board the ship has increased by 40 from the Garinko-go II to 235. The new Garinko-go is bigger, faster, and more comfortable, allowing you to enjoy a fulfilling drift ice cruise.
- Shopping at Dezuka Fisheries
We will stop by the long-established kamaboko shop "Dezuka Suisan." The kamaboko, made with carefully selected ingredients and manufacturing methods, makes a great souvenir. All tour participants will receive a free "scallop tempura"!
-About lunch-
- [Plan without lunch] Lunch will be at your leisure at the Marine Exchange Center.
Inside the Marine Exchange Center, where the Garinko-go boarding point is located, there is a food court, a ramen shop, and a convenience store.
- [Plan with Drift Ice Rice Bowl Lunch] Enjoy the fresh seafood of the Sea of Okhotsk with a Drift Ice Rice Bowl at Marukaichi Fisheries!
We offer a luxurious seafood bowl filled with the flavors of the Sea of Okhotsk, including snow crab, salmon roe, and scallops. Enjoy the bowl filled with plenty of crab along with crab soup! After your meal, you can also enjoy shopping for seafood!
*The photo is for illustrative purposes only.
-Meeting place and time-
- ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo (Meeting at 6:50 / Departure at 7:00)
*The meeting place will be the lobby on the first floor of each hotel.
Drop-off location: Sapporo Station North Exit (expected arrival time: around 19:00)
*You cannot get off at the hotel where you boarded the bus.
■Introduction to Garinko Station's "Marine Exchange Center"■
The Marine Exchange Center is a tourist base facility where the Garinko-go boarding point is located, and has also been designated as a "sea station." A free shuttle bus is available from here to go to the Ice Sea Observation Tower and Okhotsk Tower. The shop has a wide selection of Monbetsu souvenirs, including original Garinko-go goods and sweets.
[Ice Sea Observation Tower/ Okhotsk Tower] (Submarine floor only: 500 yen)
It reopened after renovation in October 2016! During the drift ice season, you can see the world under the drift ice from the underwater nature observation room, and the exhibition room also displays fish from the northern seas and Clione, also known as the drift ice fairies. Also, be sure to enjoy the newly opened attraction, the 360° super 3D video 4D-KING (a new experience theater, fee: 300 yen per session)!
[Tokkari Center Seal Land] (Fee: 400 yen)
Tokkari means "seal" in the Ainu language, and you can see the lively seals at this zoo, the only one in Japan that only keeps seals.
What is the drift ice icebreaker Garinko-go III IMERU, one of Hokkaido's heritage sites? A tourist ship with a total tonnage of 370 tons and a capacity of 235 people, designed for drift ice sightseeing. It has air-conditioned and heated rooms, vending machines and a shop, so you can enjoy drift ice cruising in comfort.
Purchase Notice
[Important] Your passport number is required when boarding the Garinko. Please be sure to bring your passport with you on the day, or make a note of your passport number. An attendant will ask you for it on the day. Please note that if you do not know your passport number, you will not be able to board.
*Please note that you may not be able to view the drift ice depending on the weather and the state of docking.
■ Regarding drift ice conditions and replacements and refunds in the event of Garinko cancellations ■
1) If the drift ice icebreaker is canceled due to weather, etc., 4,000 yen for adults and 3,000 yen for children will be refunded, and instead we will stop at the Okhotsk Drift Ice Science Center "Giza."
2) If we are unable to reach Monbetsu due to road conditions [Plan without lunch] - 4,000 yen for adults / 3,000 yen for children will be refunded, and we will stop by the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival instead.
[Plan with Drift Ice Rice Bowl Lunch] - Refund of 6,000 yen for adults and 5,000 yen for children. As an alternative, we will stop by the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival.
* Admission fee to the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival is included. * [Lunch included plan] Meals (lunch) cannot be provided. The refund amount includes the cost of meals, so please eat lunch on your own.
[Travel conditions]
Departure/return point: Sapporo
Length of trip: Day trip
Transportation: Chartered bus
Bus company: Sapporo Bus or Hokkaido Area Bus, etc.
Meal conditions: Breakfast 0, Lunch Varies depending on plan, Dinner 0
Available accommodation: None
Minimum number of participants: 1
Tour conductor: 1
Guides: 0
[Travel planning/implementation]
Company name: Wonder Styles Inc.
Address: 7th floor, Ena Square Odori Building, 10-4 Odori Nishi 6-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Registration number: Hokkaido Governor Registered Travel Agency No. 2-862
Travel industry association membership: None
[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 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 3
[Important] You will need your passport number when boarding the Garinko. Please be sure to bring your passport with you on the day, or write down your passport number. An attendant will ask you for it on the day. Please note that if you do not know your passport number, you will not be able to board the ship.
You cannot get off at the hotel where you boarded the bus.
Departure after the scheduled departure time is at the discretion of our staff, so please be sure to arrive on time.
The [Plan without lunch] and [Plan with lunch] will be shared.
Please note that due to operational adjustments, the bus and driver for the outbound and return journeys may change.
Smoking is prohibited on the tour bus. There are no toilets on the bus. We will make toilet breaks and stop at sightseeing spots as necessary, so please use the restroom breaks there.
Large luggage such as suitcases will be stored in the trunk of the bus. Since you will not be able to take your luggage in or out during the trip, please prepare anything you need for sightseeing in your carry-on luggage. Please inform the staff at the reception on the day that you have luggage to check in.
If you have a flight or other commitments that are fixed for the evening of the same day, we recommend that you refrain from signing up for this tour.
The bus may be delayed due to road conditions. Please note that there is no guarantee if the last public transportation is delayed. In the unlikely event that your arrival is delayed and you have to use a taxi or stay overnight, our company will not accept any claims.
Please note that there may be changes or delays to the route due to irregular road conditions, bad weather, etc. In such cases, we will not refund the tour price if you cancel on the day.
If you are traveling to Sapporo, Hokkaido, please refrain from participating on the last day of your trip. (There is no compensation for bus delays.)
Child rates apply for ages 3-11.
Chinese and English are available via the app.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 11 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- For cancellations made 8 to 10 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 Garinko-go III 'IMERU' is a newly built icebreaker with a distinctive design, capable of breaking through thick drift ice using its powerful propeller. Passengers can witness firsthand the impact and compression of ice against the hull, experiencing the breathtaking winter scenery unique to Hokkaido. The ship offers spacious decks and indoor viewing areas, ensuring a comfortable and safe environment to admire the drift ice spectacle.
The Garinko-go III features a comfortable indoor heated viewing area, allowing you to enjoy the drift ice in warmth even in cold weather. Restroom facilities are available onboard, and a shop sells hot beverages and snacks. Additionally, some tours offer lunch package options, allowing you to enjoy a delicious meal while watching the drift ice.
The best time to see drift ice in Hokkaido is generally from late January to early March each year. During this period, drift ice from Siberia drifts to the Sea of Okhotsk coast, such as in areas like Abashiri and Monbetsu, creating spectacular ice scenery. The exact conditions depend on the annual climate, so it's advisable to check weather forecasts and official drift ice information to catch the optimal viewing window.
The chance of seeing drift ice is influenced by weather and sea currents, but it is generally higher during the peak viewing season from late January to early March. Icebreaker ships venture into drift ice areas, increasing the opportunities to encounter it. Even if the amount of drift ice is not significant, the experience of the icebreaker sailing on the ice is unique in itself. It's recommended to check local drift ice reports before your trip to get real-time updates.
One-day drift icebreaker tours from Sapporo typically include comfortable bus transfers. The tour departs from designated meeting points in Sapporo city, taking a dedicated bus to a port on the Sea of Okhotsk coast (such as Monbetsu or Abashiri) to board the Garinko-go III icebreaker. The entire trip includes transportation, so you don't need to worry about planning your own routes and can easily enjoy the drift ice experience.
You can book tickets for the Garinko-go III drift icebreaker cruise through the KKday platform. Booking via KKday is a convenient process, allowing you to arrange transportation and tickets all at once for a one-stop service. When booking, you will need to provide your passport number for boarding procedures. It is recommended to book in advance, especially during the peak drift ice viewing season, to ensure a smooth trip.
When participating in a Hokkaido drift icebreaker tour, it's recommended to wear layers of warm clothing. The outer layer should be a windproof and waterproof thick jacket, paired with warm base layers. A hat, scarf, gloves, and waterproof snow boots are essential to protect your head, neck, hands, and feet from the cold wind. Additionally, carrying hand warmers can effectively enhance your body's warmth.
As per regulations, you will need to provide your passport number for identity verification when boarding the Garinko-go III icebreaker. Therefore, please be sure to carry your original passport with you on the day of the activity, or at least write down your passport number accurately. This is to ensure your boarding safety and compliance with relevant regulations. It is recommended to prepare this in advance to avoid any disruption to the boarding process.
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