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| Foto: Club Tourism Opens 2027 Hokkaido Drift Ice Tour. (dok/ist) |
Club Tourism Opens International Sales for Award-Winning Hokkaido Drift Ice Tour 2027
Tokyo, JejakSiber.com — Club Tourism International Inc., a Japan-based travel company, has opened international sales for its Hokkaido drift ice tour for the 2027 winter season after the tour received the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award at the Tour Grand Prix 2026, one of Japan’s prestigious travel industry awards.
The announcement was made by Kintetsu Group Holdings Co., Ltd. in a press release dated September 11, 2026.
The award-winning tour was recognized for its innovative approach to bringing Japanese and international travelers together on the same itinerary, while providing safe and comfortable winter travel experiences in Hokkaido.
The two-day tour offers international visitors an efficient way to explore eastern Hokkaido, including the Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Abashiri area.
The tour combines multilingual support with professionally managed transportation and experienced tour escorts and drivers, addressing the challenges that visitors may face when traveling independently on snowy roads during Hokkaido’s winter season.
Seven Drift Ice Experiences
One of the tour’s main attractions is its combination of seven drift ice viewpoints and experiences.
Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy panoramic drift ice views from Mt. Tento, experience touching drift ice in Shari, and view drift ice from the large hot spring bath at Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel.
The itinerary also includes Oshinkoshin Falls, one of the scenic waterfalls in Shiretoko, and Kitahama Station, known as a railway station located close to the drift ice.
Travelers will also visit Roadside Station Ryuhyo-kaido Abashiri before experiencing close-up views of drift ice aboard the Aurora Drift Ice Sightseeing Icebreaker.
The icebreaker cruise offers visitors a distinctive opportunity to observe the floating sea ice at close range, while the overall itinerary is designed to make it easier for international travelers to experience several winter attractions within a short period.
Premium Accommodation and Hokkaido Cuisine
The package includes a stay at Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel, one of the leading resort hotels in the Shiretoko area.
Guests can enjoy the hotel's hot spring facilities as well as cuisine featuring ingredients and flavors associated with Hokkaido.
The combination of accommodation, dining and winter activities is intended to provide visitors with a comprehensive experience of Hokkaido during the drift ice season.
Promoting Cross-Cultural Interaction
Beyond sightseeing, the tour was praised for creating opportunities for interaction between Japanese and international travelers.
By placing both groups on the same itinerary, Club Tourism aims to encourage cross-cultural exchange while allowing international visitors to experience Japanese hospitality and local customs.
The program also contributes to regional tourism by bringing visitors to local hotels, attractions and tourism-related businesses.
Tour conductors provide guidance on local etiquette and responsible travel, supporting the company's efforts to promote sustainable tourism in the region.
International Sales Focused on Asia
Following the Tour Grand Prix 2026 recognition, Club Tourism has begun promoting the tour internationally, with a particular focus on travelers from East Asia and Southeast Asia.
Departures for the 2027 winter season are scheduled from late January through early March 2027. Specific departure dates and travel prices are available through Club Tourism's official multilingual website.
Travelers can also make direct bookings through the company's multilingual website, which provides information in English and Traditional Chinese.
In a statement, Club Tourism said it was honored to receive the award and would continue connecting travelers from around the world with the unique attractions found throughout Japan.
The company also plans to expand its multilingual offerings and provide high-quality travel experiences through a diverse range of tour products for international visitors.
Club Tourism International Inc. specializes in themed tours and escorted travel experiences, offering domestic and international travelers opportunities to explore Japan's culture, destinations and regional attractions.
The 2027 Hokkaido Drift Ice Tour is scheduled to operate from late January to early March 2027, subject to the departure dates listed by Club Tourism. (*)
Editor: Js
