Sapporo Asahiyama Zoo & Garinko III Icebreaker Cruise

The draw here is an unusual Hokkaido double feature: Asahiyama Zoo’s penguin walk followed by a ride on the GARINKO GO III, a vessel built to push through sea ice. You trade a long stretch of road time for two very different winter experiences, one close to the animals and one out on the cold Okhotsk Sea.

I like the chance to see the penguin parade and the practical ease of making the long Sapporo-to-Monbetsu round trip by bus in a single day. I also like that the ship can be a memorable outing even when the ice is sparse: you still get the winter sea and the unusual feel of an icebreaker at work.

The catch is that it is a long, tightly scheduled day, and nobody can promise drift ice. Zoo time may be only 1.5 to 2 hours, lunch is not included, and a smooth trip can still end with open water instead of ice.

At a glance

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• The penguin walk is a timing prize: Some departures reach the zoo around 11 a.m., which can line up with the parade, but traffic and the day’s schedule affect your chance.
• Zoo time is short: Plan for roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, not a leisurely visit to every exhibit.
• The icebreaker is the main gamble: You may see broad fields of drift ice, small scattered patches, or open water.
• Expect a full day on the bus: One account describes an 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. outing, with much of that time spent travelling.
• Bring a food plan: Lunch is not included. You may be able to buy food before boarding the ship, and some departures offer a bento for an extra charge.
• Weather can change the plan: If the ship cannot sail, the stated alternative is the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Science Center GIZA. Road closures can bring another change, to the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival.

👉 See our pick of the 10 Best Guided Tours In Sapporo

Two winter attractions, one very long day

This tour links Asahiyama Zoo, near Asahikawa, with Monbetsu, on Hokkaido’s northern coast. It is a wide-ranging route, not a quick hop between sights. The bus makes the day possible without arranging separate rail, road, and cruise connections yourself, but the trade-off is clear: you spend a large share of the outing in transit.

The package starts at $188.39. That price is easiest to justify if you want both the zoo and the icebreaker, and value having transport arranged for the whole route. It is harder to justify if you mainly want a guaranteed encounter with drift ice. Nature decides how much ice is near Monbetsu, and the cruise ticket cannot change that.

The trip suits people who would rather see two major winter sights in one ambitious day than spend more time at either one. If you prefer slow visits, long meals, and room to adjust your plans, the schedule may feel like a lot of ground to cover.

Reaching Asahiyama Zoo before the penguins march

The zoo stop is the first test of the day’s schedule. Some departures have reached Asahiyama Zoo at about 11 a.m., giving people a chance to catch the penguin walk near the West Gate. That timing is appealing, but it is not a promise. One group arrived later and missed the parade, so treat it as a welcome possibility rather than the tour’s guaranteed centerpiece.

You may enter or leave through a different gate from the one nearest the penguins. One account describes getting off at the East Gate and hurrying to the West Gate for the walk. Keep an eye on the time, and ask your guide where to go as soon as you arrive. If the parade matters most to you, do not spend the first part of the stop wandering without a plan.

Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours for the zoo, depending on the departure and schedule. That is enough for a focused visit, but probably not enough to see every exhibit at a relaxed pace. I would choose a few priorities in advance, with the penguin walk at the top if it is scheduled during your stop.

Winter footing deserves attention. Snow-season paths can be slippery, and crampons were recommended by one person who visited. Wear shoes that grip well; if you already own removable traction cleats, they may make walking more comfortable. Keep your hands free where possible, since a slip on icy ground is no fun and can cost you precious zoo time.

Lunch takes a little planning

Lunch is not included, so plan before the bus leaves Sapporo. The zoo stop is brief, and the trip continues to Monbetsu, leaving little room for a long sit-down meal. Some people choose to eat something on the bus, while others buy food near the port before boarding the icebreaker.

An optional bento may be available to order on the bus. One passenger especially liked a crab-meat bento, but do not assume it is part of the base price or available on every departure. Confirm the meal arrangement for your date, and bring a snack in case the timing does not suit you.

There are practical reasons to avoid leaving lunch until the last minute. A delayed arrival can compress your zoo visit, while the cruise departure gives you another fixed deadline. A compact meal you can carry is the safe choice.

GARINKO GO III and the uncertain ice

At Monbetsu, the GARINKO GO III takes you out onto the Okhotsk Sea. The point is not simply to look at frozen scenery from shore. You are boarding an icebreaker, a ship designed to press through ice, and the experience changes sharply with the sea conditions.

On a good day, drift ice can stretch across the water and make the cruise feel rare and otherworldly. On a less favorable day, you may see only a few patches, or no drift ice at all. Some departures have found open water or stayed within the breakwater. That is disappointing if ice is your sole reason for booking, but it is a real risk rather than a failure the operator can control.

Even when ice is present, the viewing conditions can be crowded. People may gather at the bow for the best look, so you might not have an unobstructed view from the front. Dress for a cold, exposed deck and be ready to move around, but do not count on having a quiet spot at the rail.

Check the official ship forecast before your trip if you are deciding how much to build your day around the cruise. The forecast can indicate whether the ship is expected to sail, but it cannot guarantee the amount of ice you will see. Ice conditions vary, and the ship may make a strong effort to find patches without being able to produce a broad ice field.

What happens if the ship cannot sail

If severe weather stops the icebreaker, the stated plan is to substitute a visit to the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Science Center GIZA and refund the cruise-ticket portion: JPY 5,000 for adults or JPY 4,000 for children. If road conditions, such as heavy snow, prevent the bus from reaching Monbetsu, the listed alternative is the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival, with the same ticket-fee refund amounts.

Those arrangements offer a useful fallback, but they do not preserve the main attraction if your priority is sailing through drift ice. The tour itself is not necessarily cancelled when the cruise is suspended; the day changes to an alternative stop. If you have already taken part in an activity, visited an attraction, or used a ticket, no refund is issued under the stated terms.

This is worth understanding before you book. The plan protects the day from becoming a complete dead end, but it cannot offer the same experience as the icebreaker.

The guide and the bus ride

The bus is both the tour’s convenience and its chief endurance test. You avoid piecing together a long route on your own, but the day can run from early morning until around 10 p.m. Bring a phone charger, warm layers, water, and something to do between stops. The route itself can be scenic, but sitting for hours is still sitting for hours.

Guide language can vary. Some departures have had guides whose English is clear and easy to follow, including a guide named Yamada. Other guides have used basic English and relied on translation tools. In some cases, the main explanations were much fuller in Japanese, while key boarding and safety instructions were played in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean.

If you need a specific detail clarified, ask directly and early, especially about the meeting point, bus seats, meal arrangements, or where to go at the zoo. Some departures have assigned bus seats, and it may not be obvious unless the guide explains it. Pay close attention to the return and boarding times: late arrivals and no-shows are not eligible for a refund.

Is $188.39 good value?

At a starting price of $188.39, you are paying for the long-distance bus day, access to the zoo, and the icebreaker outing, rather than for a relaxed pace or a guaranteed natural spectacle. The value is strongest if you want both attractions and would otherwise find the Sapporo-to-Monbetsu journey difficult to arrange in one day.

The zoo and cruise also give the trip variety. You can spend the morning watching animals in a carefully planned setting, then head for a coastal experience shaped by weather and sea ice. That contrast is part of the appeal, though it also means the two halves of the day have different levels of predictability.

It feels less worthwhile if you are booking only to see extensive drift ice. The cruise may sail without encountering much ice, and the alternatives offered during cancellations are not a substitute for the ship itself. You should be comfortable paying for the attempt, not a guaranteed view.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would consider it for a first winter visit to Hokkaido, a family with children who are keen on animals, or an independent visitor who wants a same-day bus connection to both the zoo and Monbetsu. The penguin walk is a strong reason to go, and the icebreaker adds something you are unlikely to replicate with an ordinary city excursion.

It is a poorer fit if you dislike long bus rides, need a leisurely lunch, or want to spend half a day at the zoo. It may also frustrate anyone who sees drift ice as the only acceptable outcome. You can improve your odds by checking the forecast, but you cannot control the sea.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if the combination matters more to you than a slow pace: penguins, a major Hokkaido zoo, a long northern road journey, and the chance to ride an icebreaker. Pack food, wear shoes with good grip, and keep your expectations flexible about the ice.

Skip it if you would be unhappy with open water or a substitute attraction. This is a memorable winter outing when the conditions line up, but the most spectacular part is also the part no tour operator can promise.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The listed starting price is $188.39. Optional food, such as a bento, may cost extra.

Does the tour leave from Sapporo?

Yes. It is described as a day tour departing from Sapporo.

How long is the day?

The schedule can be very long. One reported departure ran from about 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., though the exact timing may vary.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can plan to bring food, buy something before boarding the icebreaker, or check whether an optional bento is available.

Will I see the penguin walk?

You may. Some departures have reached the zoo around 11 a.m., which has allowed time to see the walk, but arrival times vary and it is not guaranteed.

Is drift ice guaranteed on the cruise?

No. Ice conditions depend on nature. The ship may encounter extensive drift ice, scattered patches, or open water.

What happens if the icebreaker cannot sail?

The stated alternative is the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Science Center GIZA. The cruise-ticket fee is refunded at JPY 5,000 for adults or JPY 4,000 for children.

What if heavy snow prevents the bus from reaching Monbetsu?

The stated alternative is the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival. The cruise-ticket fee is refunded at JPY 5,000 for adults or JPY 4,000 for children.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using the destination’s local time. Late arrivals and no-shows are not eligible for a refund.