The Garinko is a powerful icebreaker designed to withstand the extreme conditions of the Sea of Okhotsk in winter. Equipped with enormous drill-shaped screws at the bow, the vessel breaks through thick sheets of drift ice as it cruises across the frozen sea.
One of the most spectacular moments comes when broken pieces of ice rise dramatically alongside the hull as the ship pushes forward. The experience offers visitors a rare opportunity to see and feel the power of drift ice at close range.
Two vessels currently operate: the two-level Garinko II and the three-level Garinko III IMERU. Both feature heated and air-conditioned passenger cabins as well as observation decks where passengers can enjoy unobstructed views of the icy sea.
During summer, the Garinko also operates fishing cruises, allowing visitors to enjoy a completely different side of the Okhotsk Sea.
The Garinko's most distinctive feature is its enormous spiral-shaped screw. Based on the principle of the Archimedes screw, which moves forward as a screw rotates, the mechanism is fitted to the bow of the vessel.
As the spiral screws rotate and bite into the ice, the resulting reaction force propels the ship forward while crushing the ice beneath and around the bow. This unusual propulsion system is extremely rare among sightseeing vessels around the world.
The third-generation Garinko is equipped with spiral screws approximately 6 meters long at the front of the ship. Watching these massive mechanisms work their way through the ice is one of the highlights of the cruise.
The first-generation Garinko has been hauled ashore and preserved as a land-based exhibit in the Gariya Zone of Monbetsu Ocean Park. Visitors can see the vessel up close and take a closer look at its enormous spiral screws, which demonstrate the innovative technology behind the Garinko series.
The current Garinko III IMERU is approximately 45 meters long and weighs about 366 tons. It can accommodate up to 235 passengers and has a maximum speed of approximately 30 km/h.
Its spacious three-level design includes comfortable indoor areas and observation spaces, allowing passengers to enjoy the dramatic winter scenery in comfort while remaining close to the sea.
The Garinko II is approximately 35 meters long and weighs about 150 tons, with a passenger capacity of 195 people.
Because the ship allows passengers to observe the drift ice from close to sea level, the experience is especially immersive. The sound of ice breaking against the vessel and the vibrations traveling through the hull create a powerful sensation that cannot be experienced from land.
The Sea of Okhotsk is one of the world's southernmost regions where seasonal drift ice forms. Aboard the Garinko, visitors can venture directly into this extraordinary winter environment and watch the ice being crushed by the ship's giant spiral screws.
The combination of the vast white ice field, the sound and vibration of the breaking ice, and the powerful movement of the vessel makes the Garinko Icebreaker Cruise one of the most memorable winter experiences in eastern Hokkaido.
Car3 hours and 30 minutes from Wakkanai to Monbetsu by car.
AirportFrom Memanbetsu Airport, 2 hours by car or 3 hours by drift ice road bus
*Drift Ice Line Bus and Drift Ice Road Bus are available only in winter.