Tour de cruzeiro no quebra-gelo de Okhotsk em Sapporo e Festival de cachoeiras de gelo de Sounkyo

I joined this tour in late February. The main highlight of this tour is whether the icebreaker can reach areas with drift ice. Drift ice floats in from other places, and I was very lucky to actually see the icebreaker using its drill to break through the ice floes. Even without seeing drift ice, it's still a good experience. This tour always books the last sailing of the day (4:30 PM). On that day, the captain extended the trip by half an hour, allowing us to see 10 minutes of ice breaking, so this last ship indeed has its advantages. The sunset view over the sea was also fantastic. Of course, driving directly from Sapporo to Monbetsu takes 4 hours, with two rest stops in between, so the car ride was a bit tiring. However, thanks to the guide's dedication, the entire journey became interesting, and the detailed information provided to the group members about the trip and boarding made everything run very smoothly. If the weather is good, you can arrive at the Monbetsu icebreaker port earlier and explore the nearby area. However, other activities like seeing seals or taking a bus to an observation deck, as well as the evening ice sculptures and fireworks, I personally found to be just okay, serving more as accompaniments to the main event. The key is still whether the ship can sail; if the weather is very bad, the sailing will be canceled. Seeing the drift ice was incredibly moving!

During the one-day tour of the icebreaker GARINKO III in Monbetsu, although the weather was not ideal and we couldn't enjoy the icebreaker experience, the overall trip was still unforgettable. The planned sunset cruise didn't happen, but the magnificent views of the Sounkyo Ice Fall and the illuminated Ice Festival made up for it. Upon entering Sounkyo, the colossal ice fall shimmered under the sunlight, resembling a vivid ice painting, which was truly astonishing. The illuminated Ice Festival showcased the unique beauty of winter, with colorful lights reflecting on the ice, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. These natural beauties not only brought relaxation but also made me appreciate the unique charm of winter even more. Although I couldn't personally experience the icebreaker, the grandeur of nature left me completely satisfied. This tour left a deep impression of Monbetsu's winter scenery, and I look forward to another opportunity to challenge the icebreaker adventure next time.

The weather was good today. It was extremely cold during the Garinko Sunset Cruise. We managed to see the icebreaker and the sunset. Everyone had a chance to see the icebreaker. The queue moved quickly. The Sounkyo Ice Festival was very short. We were given 30 minutes and it was crowded. It felt a bit rushed, but there wasn't much to see except for the ice cave. Our guide, Ms. Vivian, is bilingual. She speaks well and gives clear instructions. We enjoyed this day trip.

Although we didn't go on deck today, we could still see the drift ice. From 4:15 PM to 5:15 PM was just before sunset, the 'blue hour,' which felt like a filtered scene, perfect for photos. For dinner, Guide Sun arranged a paid local Monbetsu delicacy: a crab and salmon roe bento, which was delicious! At the Seal Paradise, for 400 yen, you can watch the zookeepers feed the seals – they are incredibly cute! The Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival has an ice bar where you can try Hokkaido's local sake; friends who enjoy drinking should definitely experience it. The itinerary was relaxed and safe, and our Chinese guide, Guide Sun, was very responsible, so even a solo female traveler had nothing to fear.

The crew members enthusiastically waved us off as we boarded the ship. Watching the sunset from the Monbetsu icebreaker was beautiful! The bow of the ship only opens for clockwise movement after departure, and staff kindly remind passengers to move forward to allow others to take photos and see how the ice-breaking spiral machinery works! It was interesting! Next, we headed to the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival, which is a seasonal event! Our guide told us it's a massive project, taking two months for staff to pour water and create the ice formations! It's truly beautiful! Although it was a long journey and we returned to the hotel late, it was definitely worth seeing!

Un día completo con varias paradas. Genial que el crucero saliera con buen tiempo. El festival de hielo también fue bastante especial, con breves fuegos artificiales. Nuestro guía turístico estuvo excelente, dio instrucciones claras y se aseguró de que viéramos los fuegos artificiales antes de irnos. Tenga en cuenta que las horas de viaje son bastante largas.

One of the most memorable parts of my Sapporo trip was the icebreaker experience. It was a special experience that truly allowed me to feel the atmosphere of winter Hokkaido, full of snow and ice. Every time the ship broke through the ice and moved forward, I heard a "crunch, crunch" sound, and it was truly amazing to see it actually breaking through the ice on the sea. It felt even more enjoyable because it's an experience you don't easily encounter in everyday life. 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 as I learned about the role of icebreakers and the environment of the northern regions. Although the weather was cold, there were also well-prepared warm indoor spaces, and many great photo spots, making it perfect for creating travel memories. If you're planning a winter trip to Sapporo, I highly recommend this icebreaker experience. It was a valuable 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 itinerary I was most looking forward to in Hokkaido was the icebreaker cruise! I was so lucky and happy to travel with tour guide Tingting! The guide contacted me a day in advance, sending me the meeting point and reminders, which put me at ease. We departed smoothly today, and tour guide Tingting arranged the time perfectly, explaining everything in detail. We were so lucky to see drift ice, the sunset, and the full moon on the fifteenth day of the lunar month! Tour guide Tingting even waved to us from the shore. Thank you for a smooth and safe trip!

A great itinerary! The timing was very well-arranged. Although the bus ride was five or six hours one way, we never felt rushed throughout the trip; everything was leisurely. We saw drift ice on the icebreaker cruise! There's also a seal museum nearby that you can visit for a 400 yen entrance fee. There were rest stops along the way to buy food, and it was great that ordering dinner bento boxes wasn't mandatory (though I still ordered one, it was crab rice and truly delicious!). I also went to the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival. Although 40 minutes was a bit short, it was enough time to look around the small venue. I highly recommend our guide, Vivian; she gave advance notice for everything and was fluent in both Chinese and English.