Asahiyama Zoo & Biei Blue Pond Day Trip in Hokkaido

Asahiyama Zoo and Shirogane Blue Pond give you two very different views of Hokkaido in one long day: close animal encounters in Asahikawa, then wide farm scenery and a striking blue forest pond near Biei. The penguin pool tunnel is the zoo’s signature feature, while the blue pond is the quiet visual payoff.

I like that admission to Asahiyama Zoo is included, and I like the chance to see rural Hokkaido from a bus rather than spending the day changing trains. The route also adds Biei’s patchwork farmland and a flower garden, so it is more than a single-attraction outing.

The tradeoff is time. At 570 minutes, this is a full day, and much of it is spent on the road. The tour operates in Japanese, so you’ll need a translation service if you do not understand Japanese.

Key points at a glance

• The penguin pool tunnel is the zoo’s special angle: You can watch penguins swim above and around you through glass.
• The penguin walk is seasonal: It takes place only after snow has accumulated, so it is not available in snow-free months.
• Biei’s Patchwork Road is viewed mainly from the bus: This is a scenic drive rather than a long walking stop.
• Shirogane Blue Pond offers about 30 minutes: Enough for photographs and a short walk, but not a leisurely forest visit.
• Farm Tomita time changes by season: Plan on about 30 minutes from late April through May and October onward, or about 50 minutes from June through September.
• The tour runs from 11 a.m. to roughly 8:30 p.m.: Meet at the ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo at 10:50 a.m. and finish at Sapporo Station.

Why this Hokkaido day trip works

I see this as a practical choice for you if Sapporo is your base and you want to reach northern Hokkaido without arranging several separate train and bus connections. Asahiyama Zoo, Biei, and Shirogane Blue Pond are spread across a large area, so an organized coach removes much of the planning work.

The route also gives you a useful taste of Hokkaido beyond the city. You’ll pass through broad agricultural country, see the famous geometric fields around Biei, stop at a flower-growing site, and reach a pond known for its unusual color.

The schedule is not built for slow travel. You’ll have set stops, fixed departure times, and a long return ride. I would choose this trip for range and convenience, not for lingering at every place.

A single verified booking gave the experience a five-star rating, with the Blue Pond as the focus. That fits the appeal of the route: the zoo is the main activity, but the pond is likely to be the image you remember most clearly.

Meeting at the ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo

The day begins at the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Sapporo, at Kita 3-Jo, 1 Chome-2-9 Nishi, in Chuo Ward. Meet the Wonder Tours staff at 10:50 a.m. for an 11 a.m. departure.

Arrive at least 10 minutes early. This matters here because the coach will leave without late arrivals, and missed departures are not refundable. The trip finishes at Sapporo Station rather than returning to the hotel, which is useful if you plan to continue your evening from the station area.

The operator provides a sightseeing bus and a Japanese-speaking driver or guide. The information describes the experience as wheelchair accessible, but you should still confirm the practical arrangements when booking if you use a wheelchair.

The group information describes a small group and lists a limit of one participant, an unusual detail that may reflect the booking system rather than the actual coach capacity. If group size is important to you, check the current availability details before paying.

The 80-minute ride toward northern Hokkaido

The first bus section takes about 80 minutes. You’ll have a chance to watch Sapporo give way to less urban scenery, with fields and open country appearing outside the windows.

This part of the trip is not a formal sightseeing stop, but it gives the route its sense of place. Hokkaido feels different from Japan’s crowded central cities. The roads are wider, the settlements are more spread out, and agriculture shapes much of the view.

Keep your camera handy, but do not expect every good view to come with a scheduled photo stop. The tour is designed so you can see the scenery from the coach while moving between the main attractions.

A short pause at Sunagawa

Sunagawa is listed as a 15-minute break, photo stop, visit, and free-time period. With only a quarter of an hour, this is best treated as a useful stretch and refreshment pause rather than a major attraction.

You can get your bearings, take a few photographs, and use the break before the longest sightseeing section. The short timing means you should watch the departure instructions closely. A relaxed stop here is not worth risking the rest of the day.

This kind of pause may sound minor, but it helps on a long coach route. You’ll spend several hours traveling overall, so a brief chance to walk around is welcome.

Asahiyama Zoo and the glass tunnel

Asahiyama Zoo is the heart of the outing, with about two hours allocated for visiting, walking, lunch, photographs, and free time. Admission is included, which makes the price easier to judge and keeps the main attraction simple once you arrive.

The zoo is known for showing animals from unusual viewing angles. The clearest example is the glass tunnel through the penguin pool. Instead of seeing penguins only from the side of an enclosure, you can watch them move underwater above and beside you.

The zoo also houses polar bears, wolves, big cats, apes, and other animals. The supplied details do not promise which animals will be visible during your visit, since animal activity and access can vary, but the collection gives you plenty to look for during the two-hour stop.

Two hours is enough for a focused visit, but it is not a full-day zoo ticket. You’ll need to make choices. I would put the penguin pool near the top of your list, then use the remaining time for the animals and viewing areas that interest you most.

Lunch is included in the stop, but not in the tour price. Bring money for food and drinks, or plan to buy them at the zoo if available. Since the exact lunch arrangements are not specified, do not assume that a meal is provided by the operator.

The famous penguin walk deserves a clear warning. It takes place only during the snow-covered season, after enough snow has accumulated. A winter departure does not guarantee that you will see it, and a trip without accumulated snow cannot include it.

That seasonal limit is important if the penguin walk is your main reason for booking. If your priority is the pool tunnel and general zoo visit, the experience remains relevant outside the snow season. If you want the outdoor walk, confirm conditions close to your travel date.

Biei’s Patchwork Road from the bus

After the zoo, the route passes through Biei’s Patchwork Road by bus. The name refers to the area’s broad farm scenery, where fields create a quilt-like pattern across the rolling countryside.

This is a scenic drive, not a long walking tour. You’ll see the countryside through the coach windows, so your experience depends partly on your seat, the weather, and how clearly the fields are visible that day.

I like this part because it adds context to the Blue Pond. Biei is not just a place with one photogenic water stop. Its identity comes from the farm country around it, and the coach lets you cover more ground than you could on foot.

The limitation is equally clear: you will not have unlimited time to stop for every view. If you want detailed photography of individual farms or long walks through the fields, you would need a separate Biei visit with more freedom.

Farm Tomita and seasonal flower viewing

The schedule includes a flower-viewing stop at Farm Tomita, with the length changing during the year. From April 26 through May 31 and from October 1 onward, the visit lasts about 30 minutes. From June 1 through September 30, it lasts about 50 minutes.

That seasonal difference matters. The longer summer stop gives you more time to walk among the flower displays and take photographs. The shorter periods still provide a look at the site, but you should think of them as a compact visit within a tightly managed day.

The supplied details do not guarantee specific flowers or peak bloom conditions. Hokkaido’s growing season changes with the calendar and weather, so your view will depend on when you go.

Farm Tomita also helps break up the zoo and bus sections. After spending time indoors and outdoors among animals, you get a slower, more open stop before continuing toward Shirogane Blue Pond.

Shirogane Blue Pond near Shirogane Onsen

Shirogane Blue Pond is just outside the hot spring town of Shirogane Onsen. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and is intended for photographs and sightseeing.

The pond’s color is the main attraction. Its blue appearance contrasts with the surrounding forest, giving you a compact but memorable natural stop. You’ll walk around the viewing area, take photographs, and then return to the coach on schedule.

Thirty minutes should be enough for a first visit. It is not enough for a long forest walk or an unhurried stay. If you want to study the water in changing light, wait for quiet viewpoints, or explore the area beyond the main stop, this day trip will feel brief.

Weather can also affect the view. The operator notes that the schedule may change with traffic and weather, and the appearance of the pond can vary with conditions. I would enjoy it as a strong scenic stop rather than expect one exact shade of blue.

The only supplied booking comment focused on a trip to the Blue Pond, which makes sense. Of all the stops, this is the one most likely to shape your decision. If the pond is your priority, remember that the tour combines it with a zoo and flower stop, so you are buying a full regional route rather than a dedicated Blue Pond excursion.

The two-hour ride back to Sapporo

The return bus section takes about two hours, with the tour ending at Sapporo Station. By then, you will have spent a long day on the road and at several stops.

This final ride is the price of covering so much ground in one outing. You may appreciate the chance to sit down, but it can feel tiring after the zoo and walking stops. I would avoid planning a demanding evening activity after arrival.

The late finish is another practical point. Departing at 11 a.m. makes the morning easier, but it also pushes the return to around 8:30 p.m. That timing suits you if you want a full sightseeing day and a later dinner. It is less suitable if you need an early evening or have fixed nighttime plans.

Is the $90 price fair?

At $90 per person, the value comes from combining transportation, zoo admission, and several widely separated sights. You are not paying only for entry to Asahiyama Zoo or the Blue Pond. You are paying to move between Sapporo, Asahikawa, Biei, and Shirogane without arranging the connections yourself.

The price does not include meals, drinks, or personal purchases. Budget separately for lunch and refreshments, especially because the day includes a short break and a two-hour zoo visit.

I consider the fare reasonable if you value convenience and want to see several northern Hokkaido highlights in one day. It is less compelling if you already have a rental car, prefer a slow pace, or want detailed time at just one location.

The included insurance and sightseeing bus add practical value, but the Japanese-only service is a real consideration. Translation services can be used in other languages, yet you should not expect a full English, Chinese, or Korean guided experience based on the information provided.

Who should book this trip?

I would recommend it to you if:

• You are staying in Sapporo and want a broad Hokkaido day outside the city.
• You want Asahiyama Zoo admission handled in advance.
• You enjoy scenic bus rides and short, organized stops.
• You want to combine animals, farm scenery, flowers, and a natural pond.
• You are comfortable following a strict timetable.
• You can manage a long day that begins late and ends at Sapporo Station.

I would think twice if you want a quiet, flexible day. The coach covers a lot of territory, but you will not control how long you stay at each place. The Japanese-only operation may also be frustrating if you need detailed explanations in another language.

The tour is wheelchair accessible according to the provided information. If you are traveling with a child aged 0 to 2, that child is free when not occupying a separate seat.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. These terms help if your Hokkaido plans are still changing.

The operator may cancel because of extreme weather or other unforeseen events. If that happens, you can reschedule or request a full refund.

The schedule can change because of traffic and weather. Most important, arrive early at every meeting and departure point. Late arrivals and no-shows receive no refund, and the bus will not wait.

Should you book the Asahiyama Zoo and Blue Pond trip?

Book this tour if you want a wide-angle introduction to northern Hokkaido and prefer one organized day over several complicated transport plans. The included zoo ticket, Biei farm views, seasonal flower stop, and Blue Pond visit make the $90 fare sensible for a packed route.

Skip it if your ideal day means long walks, quiet photography, or choosing your own timing. The strongest reason to book is the combination of far-flung sights. The strongest reason not to book is the long bus time and Japanese-only service.

For most visitors with limited time in Sapporo, I would choose it for the range. Just arrive early, bring money for food, check the flower timing for your date, and do not count on the penguin walk unless snow has accumulated.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at the ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo, an IHG Hotel, at Kita 3-Jo, 1 Chome-2-9 Nishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo. Meet the Wonder Tours staff at 10:50 a.m. for an 11 a.m. departure.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at Sapporo Station.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is 570 minutes, or about 9.5 hours.

Is Asahiyama Zoo admission included?

Yes. Admission to Asahiyama Zoo is included in the tour price.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Meals, beverages, and other personal expenses are not included.

Is the tour available in English?

The tour service is provided in Japanese. Other languages can use translation services.

Does the penguin walk take place on every departure?

No. The penguin walk takes place only during the snow-covered season after snow has accumulated.

How long is the Farm Tomita visit?

From April 26 through May 31 and from October 1 onward, the visit lasts around 30 minutes. From June 1 through September 30, it lasts around 50 minutes.