Winter Day Tour from Sapporo: Asahiyama Zoo, Blue Pond & Shirahige Falls

Sapporo's Winter Hokkaido Classics, All in One Day

This day tour takes you beyond Sapporo to meet the animals of Asahikawa and the snowy landscapes of Biei. In about 10 hours, you'll visit Asahiyama Zoo, Shirahige Falls, the Shirogane Blue Pond and Biei's Christmas Tree.

At the zoo, you can watch animals swim and stroll, while in Biei you'll take in snow-covered waterfalls, a frozen pond and wide, open hills. Each stop shows a different side of winter, and that variety is what makes this tour so appealing.

Transport is included from and back to Sapporo, so you can leave all the travel between sights to someone else. It's a great fit if you're using Sapporo as your base and want to experience Hokkaido's winter a little more deeply.

Meeting the Animals at Asahiyama Zoo in Winter

Penguins gliding through the water, polar bears moving their massive bodies with surprising grace. At Asahiyama Zoo, exhibits are designed to show animals' natural movements and behaviors, offering encounters that photos alone can't capture.

The "Penguin Walk," held during the snowy season, is one of winter's special pleasures. Watching the penguins waddle across the snow in a group is so charming that you won't be able to look away. Take your time at the exhibits that catch your eye and enjoy the animals' movements and expressions.

Shirahige Falls and the Shirogane Blue Pond: Biei Under Snow

At Shirahige Falls ("White Beard Falls") in the Shirogane Onsen area, groundwater seeps out from between the rocks and tumbles in many white streams into the Biei River. In winter, snow and hoarfrost add to the scene, creating layers of color from white trees and the bluish river.

Next is the Shirogane Blue Pond, which formed when water collected behind a check dam built as part of erosion-control work on Mt. Tokachidake. It's famous for its blue surface, but in midwinter the pond freezes and is covered with snow, and the dead trees stand out against the white landscape.

In the snowy season, the shapes of the branches and trunks stand out, creating a quiet scene quite different from the blue-water season. Both the flowing falls and the stillness of the pond are spots where you'll want to capture winter's many faces in photos.

Biei's Christmas Tree: A Lone Tree on a Snowy Hill

On a snow-covered hill, a single tree stands tall: Biei's Christmas Tree. Even without any decorations, its silhouette alone makes the winter landscape unforgettable.

Its appeal lies in the simple composition of gently curving hills, a wide sky and the tree's outline. Take in the view slowly and look for your own perfect winter shot of Biei.

Before You Book

• Please check the meeting point and time in the email sent the day before.
• For details on admission fees, meals and insurance, please see the plan details.
• Guiding is in English and Chinese, and the guide setup varies depending on the number of participants.
• Please check the participation requirements regarding age and health.
• Cancellations and changes on the day of the tour are not possible.
• The Penguin Walk and the places visited may change depending on conditions on the day.
• Please do not enter the fields around the Christmas Tree.
• Please bring warm clothing and non-slip shoes.

This popular tour can sell out. Itineraries and stops may change, so please check the latest information on the booking page before you reserve.

Summary

The heartwarming animals of Asahiyama Zoo, Shirahige Falls where snow and water colors blend, the Blue Pond with trees rising from a white landscape, and the Biei hill with its lone tree. This day tour from Sapporo lets you enjoy Hokkaido's winter through very different scenes.

Why not add a day of wildlife and snowy scenery to your time exploring Sapporo? Head out to Asahikawa and Biei and find a memory that is truly Hokkaido in winter.