Asahiyama Zoo, Biei tree, Shirohige Falls and Blue Pond Day Tour

The best part of this Hokkaido day tour is its mix of striking outdoor scenery and close-up wildlife. You move from Biei’s famous Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls to Asahiyama Zoo, with the Christmas Tree and Ken & Mary Tree adding a taste of the region’s open farmland.

I like the fact that zoo admission is included, so the $115 price is easier to judge from the start. I also like the simple Sapporo meeting point and the choice of a Chinese or English-speaking guide. The main drawback is the long day: the advertised 8 to 9 hours includes transportation, so you will spend a good share of the trip on the road.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls: See two of Biei’s best-known natural sights in one visit.
• Asahiyama Zoo admission included: Spend time with penguins, polar bears, and other animals without paying a separate entrance fee.
• Two famous Biei trees: Stop at the Christmas Tree and Ken & Mary Tree, both popular photo subjects.
• Early Sapporo departure: Meet at Sapporo Station at 7:30 am for a full day beyond the city.
• Chinese or English-speaking guide: Helpful for keeping the day organized and adding context along the route.
• Maximum group of 30: Large enough to keep the price reasonable, but not a private or small-group outing.

Why this Sapporo day trip works

Sapporo is a fine base for Hokkaido, but some of the island’s most memorable views are far beyond the city center. This trip takes you north and east to Biei and Asahikawa, two places known for open country, striking water, and wildlife.

I see the appeal for visitors who have only one spare day. You do not have to work out several train connections, arrange local buses, or buy a separate zoo ticket. The tour puts several widely spread sights into one organized outing.

That convenience comes with a tradeoff. Biei and Asahikawa are not close to Sapporo, and the 8 to 9 hour total includes the journey between stops. You should think of this as a scenic day away from the city, not a quick side trip with long, relaxed visits at every location.

The group can include up to 30 people. That keeps the $115 cost more manageable than a private vehicle, though it can also mean less flexibility at each stop. If you like having a guide, a set schedule, and a simple route, this arrangement makes sense. If you prefer to linger with a camera or change plans on the spot, a private trip would give you more freedom, though it would likely cost more.

Leaving Sapporo at 7:30 am

The day begins at Sapporo Station, at 3 Chome to 4 Chome Kita 6 Jonishi in Kita Ward. The start time is 7:30 am, so plan to arrive early enough to find the meeting point without rushing.

An early start matters here. The route covers Sapporo, Biei, and Asahikawa in one day, and the trip would be difficult to fit into a later departure. Your mobile ticket is useful at the start, since you can keep the booking on your phone rather than manage a paper voucher.

The guide speaks either Chinese or English. No individual guide names are provided, so you should select the language that best suits your group when booking. The guide’s practical role is important on a day with several stops: keeping everyone together, explaining where to go, and helping the schedule stay on track.

The tour finishes back at the same meeting point. That makes the end of the day straightforward, especially if you are staying near central Sapporo or using the station for onward transport.

Biei’s Christmas Tree and Ken & Mary Tree

Biei is known for broad fields and isolated trees that have become local icons. The Christmas Tree and Ken & Mary Tree are not grand monuments in the usual sense. Their appeal comes from their simple shapes, open setting, and connection to Biei’s well-known country views.

These stops work especially well for photography. You can frame the trees against the wide surroundings rather than crowded streets or tall buildings. The exact amount of time at each tree is not specified, so you should expect photo stops rather than long walks or a full rural tour.

The names are part of the fun. The Christmas Tree has a distinctive form that gives it its familiar nickname, while Ken & Mary Tree is linked to a famous advertising campaign. The tour description identifies both as planned sights, giving you a chance to see two of Biei’s best-known rural markers in one route.

Keep your expectations sensible. These are scenic viewpoints, not large attractions with indoor facilities or many activities. Their value depends on weather, light, and your interest in quiet country views. On a clear day, they can be among the most pleasing photo stops. In poor weather, the experience may feel brief.

Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking and standing outdoors. The operator also recommends sunscreen, insect repellent, a windproof jacket, and a camera. Those suggestions make sense for exposed rural stops, where conditions can change and shade may be limited.

The bright water of Shirogane Blue Pond

Shirogane Blue Pond is the visual centerpiece for many people on this route. Its water has a distinctive blue appearance, giving the site an almost unreal look in photographs. The color is the reason this stop has become one of Biei’s most recognized natural sights.

You will want to allow time for pictures, but the tour’s total schedule means you cannot assume an unlimited visit. The tour description does not provide an exact stop length, so your guide will manage the timing according to the day’s plan.

The Blue Pond is best approached with a little patience. Photos can look very different depending on the weather and the angle. Do not judge the stop only by trying to reproduce a picture you have seen online. The appeal is seeing the water, trees, and surrounding setting together.

This is also a place where practical clothing helps. A windproof jacket can make the stop more comfortable, and sunscreen is useful even on a cool day. Insect repellent is also recommended, so pack it if you are sensitive to bites.

If your main aim is quiet nature photography, the group format may be the biggest limitation. You will have to follow the schedule and return to the vehicle on time. For most visitors, though, the organized stop is a fair exchange for seeing the pond without arranging separate transport from Sapporo.

Shirahige Falls near Biei

Shirahige Falls adds movement to the day. Instead of still blue water, you see water dropping through the rocks in a natural cascade. The falls are another strong contrast within the Biei section of the trip.

Together, the falls and Blue Pond show two different sides of the area. One stop is known for color and stillness. The other is defined by flowing water and sound. That variety helps keep the day from feeling like a string of similar photo stops.

The tour information does not specify a walking route, viewing platform details, or the exact time allocated here. You should therefore treat Shirahige Falls as a guided sightseeing stop rather than assume a long hike. Comfortable shoes remain the right choice, particularly if you want to move around for different views.

The falls can also be a good break from the vehicle. Since transportation is a major part of this full-day outing, getting out, stretching your legs, and seeing a different setting adds real value.

Asahiyama Zoo and its animal encounters

Asahiyama Zoo is the other major reason to choose this tour. Admission is included, and the visit gives you a chance to see penguins, polar bears, and other wildlife in Asahikawa.

The zoo is particularly useful for families. Children get a change of pace after the rural scenery, while adults may appreciate the chance to see animals at close range. Nature photographers can also find a different kind of subject here, though the available time and group schedule will shape how much you can explore.

You should not assume that the tour includes every zoo activity or a private animal presentation. The information confirms entry to Asahikawa Zoo, but it does not list special shows, feeding sessions, or reserved access. Your guide can help with the visit, but the exact structure inside the zoo is not specified.

The contrast is what makes the overall route appealing. Biei gives you open views and famous trees. Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls focus on water. The zoo brings the day back to active, living subjects. This is a broad introduction to Hokkaido rather than a tour built around one theme.

For a family group, including admission simplifies the budget. You do not need to calculate another entrance fee at the gate. For a visitor mainly interested in Biei scenery, the zoo means less time for the countryside, so consider your priorities before booking.

What the $115 price really covers

At $115 per person, the price is easiest to assess as a convenience package. You get admission to Asahiyama Zoo, a Chinese or English-speaking guide, and organized transport from Sapporo to several distant stops.

The value is strongest if you want to see all of these places in one day. Independent travel would require you to coordinate transport, check connections, pay for zoo admission separately, and keep track of the return journey. The tour removes much of that planning.

The value is weaker if you want a slow visit at each location. The full route covers a lot of ground, and the total duration includes transportation. You are paying partly for access and organization, not only for time spent standing at each sight.

Personal expenses are not included. Bring money for anything outside the listed inclusions, though the supplied information does not specify meal arrangements or particular optional purchases. It is wise to confirm your own food plans before departure.

The group limit of 30 is worth noting. This is not an intimate private outing, but it is also not an unlimited coach crowd. The size should suit people who prefer a lower price and a fixed plan, while independent-minded photographers may want something smaller.

What to pack for a full day outside

The operator recommends comfortable clothes and shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, a windproof jacket, and a camera. I would follow that advice closely.

You will move between outdoor viewpoints, a waterfall, a pond, and a zoo. Even if the weather begins pleasantly in Sapporo, conditions in Biei can feel different. A jacket that blocks wind takes little room and can make a long day much easier.

Your phone should be charged for the mobile ticket and photographs. The tour does not list food or drinks as included, so you should also plan for personal spending and whatever refreshments you need during the day.

Because the group returns to Sapporo at the end, avoid packing anything bulky. Keep the items you need for outdoor stops easy to reach, particularly your camera, jacket, and sunscreen.

Who should book this experience?

I would point this tour toward first-time Hokkaido visitors, families, photographers who want recognizable Biei subjects, and anyone staying in Sapporo without a rental car. It gives you a broad sample of the region in one day and removes much of the route planning.

It is also a good fit if you want both scenery and animals. Some day trips focus only on countryside views, while this one finishes with a substantial zoo visit and included admission.

I would hesitate if your top priority is a relaxed pace. The early departure, long transport periods, maximum group size, and several separate stops mean the schedule will guide your day. The same structure that makes the route practical can make it feel compressed.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

Should you book the Biei and Asahiyama Zoo tour?

Book it if you want the efficient version of Hokkaido: famous Biei views, Blue Pond, Shirahige Falls, and Asahiyama Zoo in one organized day from Sapporo. The included zoo ticket and bilingual guide improve the value, especially for families and visitors who do not want to manage regional transport.

Skip it if you want long, quiet stops or a private photography schedule. At $115, this is a practical route with a lot packed in, not a slow countryside escape. For many first visits, that tradeoff is worthwhile, as long as you are ready for an early start and a full day on the road.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Sapporo Station, at 3 Chome to 4 Chome Kita 6 Jonishi, Kita Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0806, Japan.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 7:30 am.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Sapporo Station.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 to 9 hours. This total includes transportation time.

What admissions are included?

Admission to Asahiyama Zoo is included in the tour price.

What language does the guide speak?

The tour includes a Chinese or English-speaking guide.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted, and the amount paid will not be refunded.