Garinko II at Monbetsu Port, Hokkaido, the last of 28 years This season's drift ice cruise (until March 9th)
In Monbetsu City, Hokkaido, the drift ice season of 2025 has arrived, and drift ice cruises are in operation by the sightseeing icebreaker "Garinko". This season will be the last cruise of "Garinko II" and it will be decided to retire on Sunday, March 9th.
The Garinco II entered service in January 1997 and has been supporting drift ice cruises for 28 years. A small vessel with a red hull and huge screws, you can enjoy a powerful cruise through the Sea of Okhotsk while breaking ice floes close to the surface.
Currently, there are two vessels, the "Garinco II" and the latest "Garinko III.", but from next season, only the "Garinco III" will be operated. His treatment after the retirement of the "Garinko II" has not yet been decided. The first-generation Garinko I, which entered service in 1987, was retired in 1996 and is now on display in Monbetsu Marine Park.
The drift ice cruise departs from the "Okhotsk Garinko Tower" in Monbetsu Port and operates from early morning to evening every day. The schedule for February is a maximum of 12 flights per day (including 4 for the Garinco II) and up to 9 flights per day for March (including 4 for the Garinco II). "Garinco II" will operate until 9 March, closed on Wednesdays.
The "Garinco III" is scheduled to operate until the end of March, but it is usually early March that you can enjoy the docking of drift ice.
The boarding fee (advance reservation price) is 3,600 yen ~ for adults (junior high school students and older) and 1,800 yen ~ for elementary school students. Free for infants. Operating hours vary depending on weather and drift ice conditions.
On an ice floe cruise, you can experience the power of the ice floes that unfold in front of you, and you also have the chance to encounter wild animals such as sea eagles and seals. On a clear day, the blue sea and white ice are interwoven with a spectacular view, and the drift ice illuminated by the morning sun and sunset in particular gives off a fantastic beauty.
