Hokkaido Drift Ice Icebreaker Cruise Day Tour | Mombetsu Okhotsk Land & Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival | Departing from Sapporo
- Cruise through the fascinating northern Okhotsk Sea and witness the spectacular sight of massive drift ice floating on the sea, a phenomenon unique to winter.
- The icebreaker 'Garinkogo' is specially designed for sightseeing, with a total weight of 150 tons and a capacity of up to 195 passengers. The ship is equipped with air conditioning, heating, and vending machines to provide guests with a comfortable cruising experience.
- At the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival, you can see ice sculptures formed by frozen waterfalls cascading down cliffs. The illuminated festival site is mysterious and colorful—a must-see!
- The bus travels directly from Sapporo to Mombetsu, saving time and providing peace of mind! On the return trip, there will be a stop at a shop to purchase local seafood specialties.
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Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Minimum participant requirement | 1 traveler |
| Tour types | None |
| Meal arrangement | Arrange yourself |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights |
| Transport | Sightseeing cruise, Bus tour |
| Cruise type | Sightseeing boat |
Product Info
- 【Drift Icebreaker GARINKO III IMERU Experience】
Board the newly built drift icebreaker 'GARINKO III IMERU' and witness the shocking scene of the two large propellers at the bow crushing the drift ice with powerful force. As the ship moves, you can clearly feel the sound and vibration of the ice breaking, and the moment the broken ice flips up from the side of the ship is breathtaking. This cruise will take you deep into Japan's northernmost Okhotsk Sea, allowing you to experience one of the most iconic natural wonders of winter in Hokkaido. If you are lucky, you may even encounter white-tailed eagles or Steller's sea eagles resting on the drift ice, or cute seals peeking out from the gaps in the ice, adding surprises to your journey. Drift Ice Viewing Notes: Drift ice is a natural phenomenon. Viewing conditions vary depending on the weather and the ice drift situation on the day; there is no guarantee that drift ice will be visible.
- 【Okhotsk Sea Ice Museum】
Free Exploration: The 'Okhotsk Sea Ice Museum' is the boarding point for the Garinko cruise and is designated as a 'Sea Station.' The museum has a souvenir shop selling original Garinko merchandise, snacks, and local Mombetsu specialties, perfect for browsing before or after your cruise. Free time: Explore the Okhotsk Sea Ice Museum area; you can choose to experience the Okhotsk Tower or Seal Land at your own expense. Ticket prices are for reference only and are subject to on-site charges.
【Okhotsk Tower】(Underwater floor requires an admission fee: 1,000 JPY) Renovated and reopened in 2016! During the drift ice season, you can observe the marine ecosystem beneath the drift ice up close in the underwater observation room and see the 'Ice Fairy' (Clione). The facility also features a brand new 360° 3D immersive theater '4D-KING' (300 JPY per session), bringing you an unprecedented sense of realism.
【Seal Center & Seal Land】(Requires admission fee: 400 JPY) 'Tokkari' means 'seal' in the Ainu language. This is the only facility in Japan dedicated to raising seals, where you can observe the energetic seals swimming and playing up close.
- 【Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival Night Illumination】
Located on the banks of the Ishikari River, this 10,000-square-meter ice and snow kingdom appears only in the depths of winter. It makes full use of the natural terrain of the Daisetsuzan foothills, turning the massive ice waterfall group formed by frozen cliffs and waterfalls into magnificent ice art. The illuminated ice sculptures at night emit a mysterious and dreamlike atmosphere under the colorful lights, making it an annual event to experience the ultimate cold beauty of Hokkaido.
GARINKO III, an icebreaker for drift ice
Cengyun Gorge Icefall Ceremony - Nighttime Illumination
Purchase Notice
- If you are unable to complete the icebreaker cruise, please refer to the following compensation options:
1) If the icebreaker ship "Garinkogo" is cancelled due to weather or other reasons, a refund of 5,000 yen per adult and 4,000 yen per child will be given.
2) If the icebreaker ship "Garinkogo" is suspended and cannot reach Monbetsu, a refund of 3,000 yen per adult and 2,000 yen per child will be given and the tour will be taken to the Hokkaido Ice Pavilion as an alternative.
【Travel Conditions】
- Travel origin and destination: Hokkaido
- Travel days: Round trip
- Transportation: Chartered bus
- Bus Company Name: Zalan Bus/HCS Tourism
- Meals included: Breakfast 0 times, Lunch 0 times, Dinner 0 times
- Accommodation facilities: None
- Minimum number of people in a group: 1 person
- Team leader: 0
- Tour guide: 0
【Travel Planning/Implementation】
- Operating company name: PC-TAKU Co., Ltd.
- Address: Level 6, Suehiro Town, 5-2-3 Sokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- License exemption number: Tokyo Governor's Travel Business Registration No. 2-7301
- Travel Industry Association Name: Member of National Travel Industry Association
Reminders
A minimum of 1 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 4 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 18:00). Notifications will then be sent via email
Travelers with the following conditions or other health issues that could be worsened by excessive stimulation should not participate in this activity: Heart disease, Pregnant women, Asthma, High blood pressure
Please arrive at the designated location 10 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
Please note that due to weather conditions, it may not be possible to see drift ice (no refunds will be provided). The itinerary may be subject to change or the time spent at each attraction may be shortened due to traffic congestion or other force majeure events.
Return arrival time may be delayed due to traffic conditions. In addition, if there is bad weather or other uncontrollable factors, the itinerary may be changed or delayed. In this case, if the reservation is canceled on the day of departure, the tour price will not be refunded.
It is not recommended to join this tour on your last day in Hokkaido as traffic jams or other delays may occur. In this case no refund will be given.
Pregnant women, the elderly and people with certain medical conditions must consult a doctor before taking this tour. Please note that this trip involves long distance transportation and they may not be able to seek immediate medical attention.
Guests with limited mobility may participate in this tour, provided they are accompanied by at least one paying adult. The winter sea tour is very cold; please ensure you dress warmly and take necessary precautions against the cold.
The tour guide service for this itinerary is primarily in Japanese, and there may be local Japanese tourists participating in the same group.
This tour will travel on the same bus as another tour that includes lunch, but this tour does not provide lunch.
If the icebreaker cruise is canceled or roads are closed due to severe weather, the company will adjust the itinerary to visit other attractions to ensure the tour proceeds smoothly. Please understand that if passengers decide to cancel their booking due to these changes, they will still be subject to the original cancellation policy.
Dinner will be available for purchase on-site on the day of the trip. Payment must be made in cash, and you can choose a Sea of Okhotsk seafood bento.
Please be sure to bring your passport with you for the trip. If you do not bring your passport, you will not be able to board the icebreaker.
Please note that stops at Maruichi Suisan are only available starting in February. If there are delays or if the shop is closed (Feb 2, Feb 15, Feb 23, Mar 2), this stop will be skipped.
