HOKKAIDO · DRIFT ICE TOURS
Choosing between drift ice tours in hokkaido comes down to season, budget, and how much ground you want to cover in a day. We review every option and keep the 5 best here.
Leave Sapporo early for GARINKO GO III, whose bow propellers crush drifting ice beside the hull. Choose a seafood bowl lunch or museum time, with Japanese-speaking staff and translation help.
“Very well planned and explained. Had one of the best seafood lunch. I highly recommend this activity.”
Travel from Sapporo to Asahiyama Zoo, then board GARINKO GO III to crush through Okhotsk drift ice at sunset. Japanese-speaking staff, zoo admission, transport, and cruise fare are included. Guide Yamada has earned praise, but expect a long day and many hours on the bus.
In Utoro, Shiretoko National Park, you’ll wear a warm, buoyant dry suit and walk across seasonal drift ice with a small group of up to eight. Guides frame the experience as a 360-degree look at the frozen sea, wildlife, sky, and water.
“really amazing experience, I will definitely recommend it to my friends. our guide is great, looking forward to the pictures.”
Travel from Sapporo to Asahikawa, Sounkyo, and Mombetsu on a winter group tour with penguins, an icebreaker, drift ice, seafood, sake, and one hot-spring night. Guide Xiao Li may lead the trip.
“It is a very nice trip, and the lady guide Xiao Li is wonderful and very timely in all the arrangements.”
Spend about two hours fishing for wakasagi through thick Lake Abashiri ice. Your guide supplies the tent and gear, helps beginners, and fries your catch as tempura. Pickup, hot drinks, snacks, and transport are included, but the tents have no heating.
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