10-Hour Day Trip from Sapporo to Asahiyama Zoo and Blue Pond | Experience Hokkaido's Winter Scenery in a Single Day

From Sapporo, Experience Hokkaido's Winter in About 10 Hours

This tour departs from Sapporo and takes you through the winter scenery of the Asahikawa and Biei area over about 10 hours. It holds a rating of 4.5 (15 reviews) and has been booked more than 700 times.

Trying to explore winter Hokkaido using public transport alone means worrying about train and bus transfers and delays caused by snow. With this tour, a vehicle picks you up at the meeting point and drops you off again at the end, so you can focus on the scenery instead of planning your logistics.

You can choose between a morning or afternoon departure. Whether you want to walk through the snowfields early in the day or sleep in and aim for the evening illuminations, you can build your day around your own pace.

Four Routes, A Through D — Each One Gives the Day a Different Feel

Four route options, A through D, are available, so you can choose based on the scenery you want to see. Route A combines Asahiyama Zoo with Shikisai-no-Oka, with the option of a snowmobile ride. Route B pairs Asahiyama Zoo with Shirahige Falls, letting you enjoy both animals and mountain scenery.

If you're after night views, Routes C and D are the ones to choose. Route C focuses on the illuminated Blue Pond, while Route D combines Ningle Terrace with the Blue Pond illumination, letting you enjoy two winter-only night views in one evening.

Whether you choose daytime healing or the fantastical light of a snowy night, the impression of your day can change dramatically depending on which route you pick — even though the departure point and area are the same.

Meet the Penguins at Asahiyama Zoo and Walk the Snow-Covered Shikisai-no-Oka

Asahiyama Zoo, Japan's northernmost major zoo, is a popular destination where in winter you can watch penguins walking across the snow. It's a place where you can enjoy the raccoons, playful seals, and other winter-only expressions of the animals.

Shikisai-no-Oka, known in summer for its flower fields, transforms into a pure white snowscape in winter. The wide, quiet snowfield is impressive on its own, and Route A also offers the option of riding a snowmobile across it.

Both spots capture the essence of "Hokkaido in winter" in an easy-to-appreciate way, making them great choices for anyone who wants memorable photos.

Shirahige Falls and the Shirogane Blue Pond: Biei's Winter Face

Shirahige Falls, a waterfall in Biei, gets its name from water that cascades down like white whiskers. In winter, the spray freezes into icicles and rime frost, while the waterfall itself doesn't freeze, creating a striking contrast with the blue river flowing through the snow.

The Shirogane Blue Pond appears milky blue due to volcanic minerals in the water. In winter, blue ice and snow layer together, and when the evening illumination is added, the scene takes on a quiet, mystical atmosphere.

A single spruce tree standing alone in a Biei field, known as the "Christmas Tree," is another iconic Hokkaido photo spot. The lone tree standing in the snowfield makes for a photograph that seems to capture silence itself.

The Lights of Ningle Terrace: A Fairy-Tale Night in the Snow Country

Ningle Terrace is a collection of wooden cabins scattered through a forest, and the winter evenings after dusk are when the illuminations are at their most beautiful. Warm-colored lights reflect off the snow, and the cabins seem to float amid light and shadow.

Walking among the cabins while listening to the crunch of snow underfoot is an experience completely different from daytime sightseeing. On Route D, this night view is followed by the Blue Pond illumination.

Note that the evening illumination depends on the weather and may be cancelled in poor conditions. It's worth keeping in mind that the scenery can change with the season and the weather.

What to Check Before Booking

• Group tour departing from and meeting in Sapporo
• Duration is approximately 10 hours
• Confirm whether the departure is in the morning or afternoon
• Choose which of Routes A through D you'd like
• Available in Japanese, English, and Chinese
• Check the departure email sent between 4:00 PM and 9:00 PM the day before
• Meals are not included in the price (purchase on your own)
• Bring thick winter clothing and non-slip snow boots
• Consider bringing motion sickness medication
• The evening illumination may be cancelled in bad weather
• Alternative spots may be substituted in case of severe weather or unscheduled closures, and refunds are not available under these conditions
• Check the latest cancellation/change policy and pricing

Winter roads and weekend traffic can shift the order of the itinerary, and any time lost to delays is not eligible for compensation. Please check the latest terms before booking.

In Summary

This winter-only day tour departs from Sapporo and covers the winter scenery of the Asahikawa and Biei area in about 10 hours. It includes popular spots such as the penguins at Asahiyama Zoo, the snowfields of Shikisai-no-Oka, the icicles of Shirahige Falls, the Shirogane Blue Pond, Ningle Terrace, and Biei's Christmas Tree, with four routes (A through D) to choose from depending on your priorities.

A vehicle picks you up at the meeting point and drops you off again at the end, with a bilingual Japanese-English guide accompanying you all day. Winter travel in Hokkaido can be difficult to navigate, and letting the tour handle that logistics is one of its biggest advantages. It holds a rating of 4.5 (15 reviews).

Meals are not included, so you'll need to buy food at service areas or convenience stores along the way, and warm clothing and non-slip footwear are essential. For the latest availability and pricing, please check this page.