Sapporo Okhotsk icebreaker cruise and Sounkyo Icefall Festival tour

I participated in late February, and the focus of this tour is whether the icebreaker can reach the sea area with drift ice. The drift ice drifts in from other places, and I was very lucky to actually see the icebreaker using drills to break the ice floes. Actually, even if you don't see the drift ice, it's still a good experience. For this tour, the last ship to depart on the day of registration (4:30 PM) is always chosen. On that day, the captain sailed for an extra half hour to let us see 10 minutes of icebreaking, so this last ship really has the benefits of being the last one. The sunset scenery on the sea is also great. Of course, driving from Sapporo directly to Mombetsu takes 4 hours, with two rest stops in between, so the ride is a bit tiring. But thanks to the guide's attentiveness, the whole trip became interesting. In addition, the group members were informed of all the details of the trip and boarding, making the whole trip very smooth. If the weather is good, you can arrive at the port of the Mombetsu icebreaker earlier and take a stroll around the area. But the other activities, such as seeing seals or taking a bus to an observation deck, and the ice sculptures and fireworks at night, I personally thought were just okay, serving as accompaniments to the main event. The key is whether you can set sail. If the weather is very bad, the sailing will be canceled, and seeing the drift ice was very moving!

Although the weather wasn't ideal and the icebreaker GARINKO III cruise in Mombetsu didn't allow us to fully enjoy the icebreaking experience, the overall day trip was still unforgettable. While the sunset cruise didn't happen, the stunning views of the Sounkyo Icefall and the Ice Waterfall Festival more than made up for it. Stepping into Sounkyo, the enormous icefalls shimmered in the sunlight, resembling a vivid ice painting that inspired awe. The Ice Waterfall Festival showcased a unique beauty of winter, with colorful lights reflecting on the ice, creating a magical atmosphere. These natural beauties not only relaxed me but also made me appreciate the unique charm of winter even more. Although I couldn't personally experience the icebreaker, the magnificence of nature filled me with immense satisfaction. This tour left me with a deep impression of the winter scenery of Mombetsu, and I look forward to the next opportunity to challenge the icebreaker adventure.

weather was good today. Extreme cold when taking the Garinko Sunset Cruise. Manage to see the ice breaker and sunset. Everyone is able to have a chance see the ice breaker. The queue was fast. For Sounkyo ice festival, it was so short. Given 30 mins and was crowded. A bit rush but nothing much except for ice cave. Guide Ms. Vivian is bilingual. Can speak well and clear instructions. We enjoy this day trip.

Although we didn't go on deck today, we could still see the drift ice. 16:15-17:15 was right at the blue hour before sunset, it looked like it had a filter on it, perfect for taking photos. For dinner, our guide, Sun, arranged a paid-for Monbetsu local gourmet crab and salmon roe bento box, it was delicious! At the seal park, for 400 yen, you can watch the keepers feed the seals, they're so cute! At the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival, there's an ice bar where you can drink Hokkaido's local sake. If you like drinking, you can experience it. The itinerary is easy and safe, and our Chinese-speaking guide, Sun, is very responsible, so even a girl doesn't need to be afraid.

The staff enthusiastically waved goodbye as we boarded the ship. Watching the sunset from the Monbetsu icebreaker was beautiful! After the ship departs, the bow opens for passengers to walk clockwise. Staff also kindly remind people to move forward so that others can take pictures of the ice-breaking auger mechanism! Fun! Next stop was the Sounkyo Icefall Festival, which is only available seasonally! The tour guide said it's a huge project where staff spray water to freeze it, taking two months! It's really beautiful! Although it's far and we got back to the hotel late, it was worth coming to see!

A full day packed with several stops. Great that the cruise went ahead with good weather. The ice festival was pretty special too, with brief fireworks. Our tour guide was on point, made clear the instructions and ensured we caught the fireworks before we leave. Caution that the travelling hours are rather long.

One of the most memorable parts of my Sapporo trip was definitely the icebreaker cruise. It was a special experience that really allowed me to feel the atmosphere of winter Hokkaido, full of snow and ice. Every time the ship broke through the ice, I could hear a "crunch, crunch" sound, and it was truly amazing to see it actually passing through the ice on the sea. It felt even more fun because it's an experience you don't normally get to have easily. From inside the ship, I could admire the winter sea scenery, and the magnificent ice formations created by nature were impressive. It wasn't just about having fun; it was also an informative time where I learned about the role of icebreakers and the environment of the northern region. Although the weather was cold, there were well-prepared warm indoor spaces, and there were many great photo spots, making it perfect for capturing travel memories. If you're planning a winter trip to Sapporo, I highly recommend this icebreaker cruise. It was a precious experience that combined fun and learning!

This trip is wonderful. The tour guide Jeremy is helpful and has given us ample time for the tour. Thank you.

The icebreaker cruise was the part of my Hokkaido trip I was most looking forward to! I was very lucky and happy to travel with tour guide Tingting! The tour guide contacted me a day in advance and sent me the meeting location and instructions, which made me feel at ease. We set off smoothly today. Tour guide Tingting arranged the time well and explained everything carefully. I was lucky enough to see drift ice, the sunset, and the moon on the 15th day of the lunar calendar! Tour guide Tingting also waved to us on the shore. Thank you for the smooth and safe trip!

A very nice trip! The timing was excellent. Although the drive was five to six hours each way, we never felt rushed and were able to take our time. We saw drift ice on the icebreaker cruise! There's also a seal museum next door that you can visit for 400 yen. There were rest stops along the way where we could buy things to eat, and it was great that ordering a boxed dinner for the evening wasn't mandatory. (But I did order one, it was crab rice, and it was really delicious!) I also went to the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival. Although 40 minutes was a bit short, it was still enough time to wander around the small venue. Highly recommend the tour guide Vivian, she always gave advance notice for everything, and was fluent in both Chinese and English.