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Departing from Sapporo | Monbetsu Icebreaker and Sounkyo Icefall Festival Day Tour

Japan | Hokkaido |

505 are interested with this tour

1 day

1~10 for a group

Self-arrival

21Days prior to the tour for booking

Language： Japanese

USD $ 145.3 up

Departing from Sapporo | Monbetsu Icebreaker and Sounkyo Icefall Festival Day Tour

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Tour Overview

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Enjoy Hokkaido's Monbetsu Drift Ice, a Winter-Only Wonderful View of the Sea of Okhotsk!

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A popular winter itinerary: the Hokkaido Icebreaker Cruise!

Hokkaido Monbetsu Drift Icebreaker Cruise, departing from Sapporo. Just dress warmly and board the Hokkaido Monbetsu Drift Icebreaker Cruise for a relaxing cruise to Japan's northernmost Sea of Okhotsk, where you'll witness the spectacular Hokkaido Monbetsu Drift Ice! Hokkaido Monbetsu Drift Icebreaker Cruise: Board the Garinko III and shatter the thick layers of Hokkaido Monbetsu Drift Ice! Experience the thrill of breaking through the ice and moving forward!

- About the Attraction | Hokkaido Monbetsu Drift Ice Icebreaker Cruise -

▲ Hokkaido Monbetsu Drift Ice

Hokkaido Monbetsu. The name Monbetsu comes from the language of the Ainu people, Hokkaido's indigenous people. In the Ainu language, Monbetsu means "quiet river." Speaking of Monbetsu, the most famous tour is, of course, the Hokkaido Monbetsu Drift Ice Icebreaker Cruise!

Hokkaido's Monbetsu is located in Japan's northernmost Sea of Okhotsk. January to March is the ideal time to join an icebreaker cruise to the Monbetsu Drift Ice. February, especially during the coldest months, is the perfect time to admire the ice. Besides viewing the ice aboard the Garinko III, you might even spot a rare local visitor—a seal!

-About Hokkaido Icebreakers | Hokkaido Monbetsu Drift Ice Icebreaker Cruise-

▲Ocean Exchange Center

Approximately 1 km from the coast, perched at the tip of the third breakwater at Monbetsu Port, stands the world's first underwater observation tower. It serves as both a tourist attraction and a research and observation facility, rising 38.5 meters above sea level and 7.5 meters below sea level. It boasts a three-story observation room offering 360-degree views, a first floor featuring drift ice radar images, a communication bridge, and a shop. Sixteen large and small underwater windows are available for observation, and the bottom floor displays marine life, including crystals. Visitors can observe the ecology of various marine life, not just in winter but throughout the seasons.

▲ Hokkaido Monbetsu Icebreaker
GARINKO III IMERU, officially launched at Monbetsu Port in November 2021, boasts twice the gross hull weight of the GARINKO II, boasts greater speed, and boasts a three-story hull, offering a wider field of view.
The Hokkaido Monbetsu icebreaker is the GARINKO III, the latest model of the Hokkaido Monbetsu icebreaker. Its striking bright red hull and two massive drills create a striking design that maximizes its effectiveness amidst the white drift ice of the Hokkaido Monbetsu ice. When surrounded by the Hokkaido Monbetsu drift ice, this Hokkaido icebreaker truly shines. Designed to use its massive drills to pierce the ice, the GARINKO III's impressive power awaits your firsthand experience!

▲Sounkyo Onsen Icefall Festival
The Sounkyo Onsen Icefall Festival (Sounkyo Onsen Icefall Matsuri), which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025, is considered one of Hokkaido's three major snow festivals, along with the Sapporo Snow Festival and the Asahikawa Festival. The Sounkyo Icefall Festival is the most representative winter festival in the Daisetsuzan region. The festival takes place on a 10,000-square-meter site along the banks of the Ishikari River, which flows through Sounkyo Onsen. Set against the backdrop of the winter icefalls of Sounkyo's famous waterfalls, the festival showcases a variety of modern ice sculptures with sound and light effects, each crafted in response to the harsh natural temperatures. During the day, the ice sculptures reflect sunlight, emitting a dazzling blue glow. At night, the venue is illuminated in seven colors, creating a mysterious atmosphere. Fireworks, taiko drums, interactive games, ice weddings, and other elements will light up the cold winter nights of Sounkyo Onsen Town.

50th Sounkyo Onsen Icefall Tour
January 25 (Saturday) - March 9 (Sunday) 2025
The 50th commemorative exhibition will feature daily fireworks displays (8:30 PM - 5 minutes).
Please note that this tour does not allow you to stop during the fireworks display.

Activity process

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Itinerary | Hokkaido: Monbetsu Drift Icebreaker and Sounkyo Icefall Festival Day Trip

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Meet up at 08:20 / Depart at 08:30 ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo (Please meet up 10 minutes early)

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Stop at highway rest stops twice (15 minutes each)

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13:30 Free time at the Ocean Exchange Center (50 minutes)

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14:30 Board the Monbetsu drift icebreaker GARINKO III IMERU (approximately 60 minutes)

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17:40 Sounkyo Icefall Festival (approximately 40 minutes)

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1 stop at a highway rest stop

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Return to Sapporo city

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21:00-22:00 Get off near JR Sapporo Station North Exit (dismissal location is not the boarding location)

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※The return time may be affected by traffic conditions at the time

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※The itinerary is for reference only and is subject to change depending on the situation on the day, including attractions, the order of tours, and time.

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※Please arrive early to meet up. The vehicle will depart on time. No latecomers will be waited for.

Photos

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Departing from Sapporo | Monbetsu Icebreaker and Sounkyo Icefall Festival Day Tour

Travel Notes

[Registration Instructions]
- This tour is available from February 26, 2025, to March 9, 2025. All other dates are fully booked.
╴ This tour is popular and requires a second confirmation. Once confirmed, the date cannot be changed at will. Any losses incurred will be at your own risk.
╴ This tour will be facilitated by Japanese-speaking staff and translation software.
╴ This tour runs from January 28, 2025, to March 9, 2025, departing daily. Each group is composed of one person.
╴ This tour is subject to change based on weather conditions and may end early due to drift ice.
╴ Participants aged 3 and above are charged the same price as adults. Infants aged 0-2 are free.
╴ Each person is allowed to bring one piece of luggage.
╴ The actual number of vehicles used on the day will be adjusted based on the number of people on the tour.

╴ This tour does not accept individual registrations from participants under the age of 18 or over the age of 70. If you wish to register, please be accompanied by a guardian or accompanying companion.
╴ Elderly participants, those with cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension or heart disease, and pregnant women are advised to be accompanied by a relative.
╴ Please provide complete participant information when booking to avoid errors that could affect your itinerary.
╴ Please bring your passport and valuables with you during the tour and keep them safe. Any loss, theft, or damage will be your sole responsibility.

╴ This is a fixed-term shared tour. Please adhere to the designated stop times at each attraction and follow the driver's instructions.
╴ For flexible itinerary arrangements, please consider our chartered tour services.
╴ Please note that no refunds will be given for non-attendance or cancellation of the tour due to personal reasons, such as lateness.
╴ If you leave the tour without permission during the tour, your transaction will be void and no refund will be given. You will be solely responsible for any consequences resulting from any loss of life or property.
╴ Arrival times for each tour are subject to change due to traffic conditions, weather, holidays, and crowds. Please understand that if a tour is delayed or canceled due to any of the above or other force majeure factors, you will not be eligible for a refund.
╴ Please wear comfortable, travel-appropriate clothing and shoes for this tour.
╴ Please comply with local Japanese laws and regulations and refrain from bringing items prohibited by Japanese law to avoid violating your rights.
╴ During free time, please ensure the safety of your personal and property. If you fail to heed the advice and any accidents or losses you incur, you will be solely responsible.

Tour Pricing

The cost includes:

Hokkaido Monbetsu Drift Ice Icebreaker Cruise | Bus Fare
Hokkaido Monbetsu Drift Ice Icebreaker Cruise | Attraction Tickets
Hokkaido Monbetsu Drift Ice Icebreaker Cruise | Tour Leader Fee
Hokkaido Monbetsu Drift Ice Icebreaker Cruise | Consumption Tax

The cost does not include:

Hokkaido Monbetsu Drift Ice Icebreaker Cruise Tour | Lunch Cost
Hokkaido Monbetsu Drift Ice Icebreaker Cruise Tour | Personal Travel Insurance
Hokkaido Monbetsu Drift Ice Icebreaker Cruise Tour | Any expenses not specified in this itinerary, any optional expenses, or any expenses incurred during the tour

Cancellation Clauses

Cancellations made 4 days prior to the start of the trip will receive a full refund.

Cancellations made 1-3 days (including the 3rd day) prior to the start of the trip will not receive a refund.

Cancellations made on the day of the trip will not receive a refund.

If the event is affected by force majeure (e.g., typhoon warnings, heavy rain alerts, etc.), the organizer will determine whether to cancel the event. A refund will be issued to the original payment method after deducting necessary expenses.

Rescheduling requests due to personal reasons will be deemed cancellations and will be handled in accordance with the cancellation policy outlined above.

If you cancel your participation during the event due to reasons not attributable to the organizer, no refund will be given.

Meeting point:

ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Sapporo