2025.2.14 Video from Garinko III IMERU. The southernmost point of the northern hemisphere where the sea freezes is the Sea of Okhotsk in Hokkaido. And it is the only sea in Japan that other prefectures do not face (the sea that you can only meet if you come to Hokkaido). Come and experience this dynamic and mysterious Nature in the Okhotsk region of Hokkaido...

On February 1, Monbetsu City announced the first day of drift ice. It is the first day of drift ice, which is 13 days later than last year (January 19) and 8 days later than the average year (January 24).

2025 (R7) Gari Schedule Winter shuttle bus connecting tourist facilities, souvenir shops, and hotels [Operation period] 《February》　 February 1st ~ February 28th Daily operation (Note: Operating hours change on Weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) 《March》 March 1st ~ March 31st Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays only Adult¥200 Child¥100 1Day ¥500 * Please pay in cash at the time of boarding

2025 (2025 (Reiwa 7)) Gari operation schedule information This year as well, we will operate a shuttle bus connecting city tourist facilities, popular souvenir shops, and hotels to coincide with the drift ice season. 【Highlights and Attractions】 ☆ Ice Sea Observation Tower "Okhotsk Tower" with a 360-degree view, and "Drift Ice Sightseeing Boat Gari Nko-go" that proceeds exciting while rotating a drill in the sea covered with drift ice ☆ At Japan's only protection facilities specializing in seal, you can see cute seal up close. ☆ In addition to learning about drift ice and the Sea of Okhotsk, you can touch real drift ice in a world with a temperature of 20 degrees below zero. ☆ Activities such as walking skiing, including indoor playground equipment popular with children, can be experienced at "Okhotsk Drift Ice Park (Aozora Exchange Hall)" * The shuttle bus to Drift Ice Park operates Traditional Japanese straw raincoat only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays in February, where you can experience snow Rafting. In addition, we will visit popular Souvenir shops and hotels in Monbetsu. Summary frequently asked questions about drift ice tourism, so please see here as well. [Operation period] January 17 ~ January 31 Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays only February 1st ~ February 28th Daily operation (Note: Operating hours change on Weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) March 1st ~ March 31st Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays only * Cash payment only

Notice of the 62nd Monbetsu Drift Ice Festival ❄️ Main Ice Sculpture ❄️ Sojijisoin / Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture As a result of repeated discussions between the Ground Self-Defense Force 25th Regular Course Regiment and the secretariat, we have decided to use a building representing Wajima City on the Noto Peninsula, which has been severely damaged by repeated disasters, as the main ice sculpture with support and hope for reconstruction. * It was severely damaged by two Noto Peninsula earthquakes in January 2007 (Heisei 19) (2007) and Reiwa 6) (2024). Precincts are currently being rebuilt for reconstruction. In December 2024 (Reiwa 6) (2024), it was designated as a National Important Cultural Property. ❄️ ❄️ Held in period Saturday, February 8 – Tuesday, February 11 * No Events on Monday 10th ❄️ ❄️ Held in Monbetsu City Marine Park Gari District Event Plaza ❄️ Cast Talent ❄️ 8th (Sat) 15:00~ Westland M-1 Grand Prix 2022 Winner 18th Champion 9th (Sun) 15:00~ Mog Rider M-1 Grand Prix 2021 & 2023 Finalists 11th (Tue) 15:00~ Championzu Gurunai ~ New Spring Fun Sou 2023 ~ Winner A total of 3 groups will 👏 appear * Filming, recording, and recording are all prohibited from stage events of performers. Other details will be announced on our Home page and social media as soon as they are decided. It is subject to change without notice. Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to seeing you there!

Nice to meet you! Monbetsu Tourist Information Center. Monbetsu City, located in the middle of Okhotsk in Hokkaido, is a wonderful area surrounded by the rich sea and lush nature. Access to Monbetsu City, Hokkaido is easily accessible by direct flight from Haneda Airport in Tokyo to Okhotsk Monbetsu Airport one round trip per day, approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. From Okhotsk Monbetsu Airport to Monbetsu City, it takes about 17 minutes by free airport shuttle bus. You can also use intercity buses from Sapporo and Asahikawa, and route buses from JR Engaru and JR Nayoro. The bus ride takes about 5 hours from Sapporo, about 3 hours from Asahikawa, about 2 hours from Nayoro, and about 1 hour from Engaru. You can also rent a car from the airport or train station and enjoy free travel. The weather and climate of Monbetsu City, Hokkaido, are cold in winter and even more cold in the latter half of winter, when drift ice arrives. In summer, the average temperature is around 25 degrees Celsius, making it a comfortable climate. Monbetsu City, Hokkaido is full of attractions! In this post, we will bring you some of the recommended sightseeing spots. Monbetsu City, Hokkaido is a great spot where you can enjoy drift ice sea ice up close! The popular Garinko cruise offers a tour of the Sea of Okhotsk. The sight of an icebreaker crushing drift ice is impressive! We offer attractive plans depending on the time of year, such as fishing cruises in "Garinko II", summer vacation cruises at "Garinko III IMERU", and scallop fishing watching cruises. For fishing on the Garinko, fishing equipment can be rented. Since there is little shaking and the handrail is high, even children can use it with confidence. On the undersea floor of the "Ice Sea Observatory Okhotsk Tower", which is the northernmost underwater observatory in Japan, you can see the magnificent scenery of the Sea of Okhotsk. On the third floor of the tower, you can spend an elegant time at Cafe Campanio on the Sea, a café overlooking the Sea of Okhotsk in 360 degrees. "Okhotsk Sea Ice Museum of Hokkaido GIZA" is a facility where you can experience drift ice throughout the year. There are plenty of exhibits where you can learn about the wonders of drift ice sea ice in an easy-to-understand manner, and you can also see Clione, which is called the sea fairy. In the extremely cold experience room of minus 20 degrees Celsius, you can touch the actual drift ice. Next, the "Okhotsk Sky Tower" at the top of Mt. Oyama is an observation tower that stands at an altitude of 334m. You can enjoy a spectacular view of the Sea of Okhotsk, Shiretoko, the Daisetsu mountain range, and drift ice in winter. A popular unique tourist spot is "Crab Claw Statue object"! It is a claw object of a snow crab with a height of 12 m, a width of 6 m, and a weight of 7 tons. It was created by Toshi Nagasaki, a sculptor from Tokyo. It is a popular photo spot for tourists who want to take commemorative photos. Next up is the Okhotsk Tokkari Center. It is a valuable facility in Japan that protects and raises seals. It is operated by two facilities: "Seal Land" and "Seal Sea Paradise". The Okhotsk Tokkari Center sheltered four seals in 1987, and now more than 20 seals are bred. As of July 2023 The feeding experience at "Seal Sea Paradise" is a chance to see cute seals up close! Participation is accepted numbered tickets are distributed from 40 minutes before the feeding time. The capacity is 5 people on a first-come, first-served basis each time, but those who do not have a numbered ticket can also visit. Summer vacation and long holidays can be crowded, so if you wish to participate, please come early. Okhotsk Ryuhyo Park, about 15 minutes by car from the center of Monbetsu City, is a vast park with the theme of "a great landscape with a view of drift ice and a great scenery where you can hear the noise of the tide." Admission is free. The park is divided into 4 blocks of A~D, where you can enjoy the playground equipment and nature. The "Okhotsk Lavender Field" in Block A has about 12,000 trees and four varieties of lavender planted. The best time to see them is from late June to late July. In Block C, there is "Makiba no Hiroba Park Golf Course", and the course can be used free of charge at the reception, and equipment can be rented. There are plenty of accommodation facilities in Monbetsu City! Some hotels have hot springs, which can be expected to beautify your skin and heal the fatigue of traveling. Finally, I would like to introduce the exquisite gourmet food of Monbetsu City! In Monbetsu City, you can enjoy fresh seafood and local specialties. The large scallops grown under the drift ice of Okhotsk are thick and rich! Processed products are also perfect as souvenirs. There are also seasonal recommendations, including spring horsehair crab and autumn salmon! "Zuwaigani Kouramori" is a specialty not to be missed! We also recommend seafood dishes and local dishes that use plenty of seafood. Monbetsu City, Hokkaido is a treasure trove of nature and the best spot where you can spend a moment of excitement and healing. In COOL JAPAN VIDEOS, we will continue to tell you about the charm of Monbetsu City. Thank you for your continued support!