Hokkaido│Kurodake Ropeway, Asahiyama Zoo Autumn Leaves Tour

The best part of this long Hokkaido day is the change in viewpoint. From the Kurodake Ropeway, autumn forests spread below the gondola in shades of red, orange, and gold. Later, you are down at animal level, watching polar bears swim and penguins move through their exhibits at Asahiyama Zoo.

I like that the ropeway ticket and zoo admission are included, so two of the day’s main costs are settled before you leave Sapporo. I also like the easy food stop at Asahikawa Ramen Village, where you can choose your own bowl instead of being tied to one restaurant. The catch is time: nearly 10.5 hours includes long coach rides, and only about an hour is set aside at the zoo.

• Kurodake from the air: Ride above Daisetsuzan’s autumn colors during a guided 1.5-hour visit.
• Two major Hokkaido sights: Combine the Kurodake Ropeway with Asahiyama Zoo in one day from Sapporo.
• Choose your own ramen: Pick from several shops at Asahikawa Ramen Village, with lunch paid separately.
• Wildlife at close range: See polar bears in the water and penguins in their popular walk.
• Long but organized day: Expect about three hours to the first stop and more than two hours back to Sapporo.
• Three guide languages: English, Chinese, and Japanese guiding is available.

A full autumn day from Sapporo

This is a road-based tour for people who want to reach two distant Hokkaido attractions without arranging several trains, buses, and admission tickets on their own. You meet in the first-floor lobby of the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Sapporo, then settle into a coach for the trip north and east.

The total duration is listed as 630 minutes, or 10.5 hours. That makes this a serious day out, not a quick city excursion. You spend about three hours on the first coach ride, followed by a ropeway visit, lunch at Asahikawa Ramen Village, a short transfer to the zoo, and a ride of roughly 2 hours and 10 minutes back to Sapporo Station’s north exit.

I would choose this tour when convenience matters more than flexibility. You do not need to work out the connections or buy separate tickets for the ropeway and zoo. On the other hand, you should be comfortable sitting on a coach for long stretches and following a fixed schedule.

The bus has no toilet. You can eat and drink on board, but you are expected to take your rubbish with you. Plan your comfort around that rule, and use facilities during the stops.

Kurodake Ropeway and Daisetsuzan’s fall colors

The first major stop is the Daisetsuzan Sounkyo Kurodake Ropeway. The gondola carries you upward toward Kurodake, giving you a high view over the Sounkyo area and its autumn foliage. This is the day’s most scenic moment, especially if you want to see Hokkaido’s seasonal colors without committing to a long mountain walk.

The visit lasts about 1.5 hours and includes a photo stop, time at the site, and guiding. The ropeway ticket is included, which helps the $119 price feel more reasonable. You are paying for one of Hokkaido’s most memorable viewpoints, rather than simply using the bus as transport between attractions.

Autumn color is never controlled by a timetable. The tour operates in a season when the foliage is the main draw, but the exact display can vary with weather and conditions. Rain, wind, or road problems can also change the schedule. Bring a rain jacket or your own umbrella, since umbrellas are not supplied.

Wear comfortable shoes. The information provided does not describe a long hike, but the day involves boarding transport, walking between sights, and standing during photo stops. Shoes that handle ordinary outdoor paths are a sensible choice.

If you are nervous about heights, the ropeway may be the part of the day to consider carefully. If you enjoy broad mountain views, it gives you a lot in a short time. You get the scenery without needing to plan a separate mountain outing.

One hour at Asahikawa Ramen Village

After about an hour on the coach, the group reaches Asahikawa Ramen Village. This is a food area with several ramen shops gathered together, making it easy to compare menus and choose the style that appeals to you.

Asahikawa is particularly associated with soy sauce ramen. You can order that local specialty, or choose another flavor offered by the shops. The setting also includes Ramen Village merchandise and a commemorative plaza for photos, so the stop is more than a simple roadside meal.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. That is both a limitation and a useful bit of freedom. You pay only for what you choose, and you are not forced into a set meal. Still, the one-hour stop is short, so read the menus quickly and avoid treating the visit like a long restaurant break.

I would have a rough idea of what you want before arriving. If you spend too much time comparing every shop, you may eat in a hurry. The practical choice is to pick one bowl, enjoy it while it is hot, and save a few minutes for the village signs or souvenir area.

This stop also gives you a break from the coach before the zoo. It is a chance to warm up with a hot meal, particularly useful during a cool autumn day. Since ramen costs extra, bring enough money for lunch and any small purchase you may want.

Asahiyama Zoo’s polar bears and penguins

A short 15-minute coach ride brings you to Asahiyama Zoo. The zoo is known for exhibits designed to show animals in active, engaging ways. The scheduled visit includes admission and about one hour of free time for sightseeing.

Polar bears are one of the key attractions. You can watch them swim in their aquatic enclosure, which lets you see movement that is easy to miss in a standard land-based display. Penguins are another highlight, with their famous walk offering a chance to see them moving together rather than simply standing in an enclosure.

One hour goes quickly here. You will need to make choices instead of trying to see every animal. If polar bears and penguins are your priority, head toward those exhibits first. The supplied information does not guarantee a particular animal encounter beyond the zoo’s exhibits, so keep your expectations focused on seeing the animals rather than on a scheduled performance.

The zoo visit is a good fit for families and animal lovers, but the short time may frustrate anyone who wants a slow visit. You will be walking, watching, and checking the meeting arrangements within a tight window. Keep an eye on the guide’s instructions so you do not lose time or risk delaying the return coach.

There is also an important safety rule. Do not cross fences or enter restricted areas, and do not approach animal cages beyond the fence. This is not just a formality. Follow the barriers and staff directions at all times.

What the $119 price really covers

At $119 per person, the price includes the coach, the Kurodake Ropeway ticket, Asahiyama Zoo admission, and guide service. English, Chinese, and Japanese guiding is available. Lunch and other personal expenses are extra.

The value depends on how you measure convenience. If you were already planning to visit both the ropeway and the zoo, the tour saves you the work of organizing a long-distance day across Hokkaido. It also removes the need to buy the two main admission tickets separately.

The weaker point is that the price does not include food, and the day gives you limited time at each attraction. You are paying for a structured route and transport, not for a leisurely stay at the zoo or an extended ramen lunch.

I see this as a practical choice for a first visit to Hokkaido, especially if you are staying in Sapporo and do not want to rent a car. It is less attractive for someone who prefers to set their own pace, linger over meals, or spend a full day at one place.

The tour has a current rating of 5 from two bookings, including a verified five-star response from Nicole of Hong Kong dated October 29, 2025, who described the experience as very nice and fun. That is a small sample, so I would treat it as a positive signal rather than proof that every departure will run perfectly.

The coach time is part of the bargain

The long transfers are the central trade-off. The first coach ride lasts about three hours, and the return to Sapporo takes approximately 2.17 hours. Between them are shorter rides of about one hour from the ropeway to the ramen village and 15 minutes from the ramen village to the zoo.

You should think of the bus as part of the day, not a minor detail. It gives you a simple way to cover a large area, but it also limits how much energy and time remain for each stop. Bring something comfortable for the ride, and remember that there is no bus toilet.

The coach may also be affected by road and weather conditions. The route can change if conditions make the planned schedule difficult. If the tour is judged unable to continue after it has started, no refund is provided, so this is not the right outing if you need a weather-proof plan.

That said, the coach is what makes the combination possible in one day. Without organized transport, fitting mountain scenery, ramen, and the zoo into a single outing would require more planning and likely separate reservations.

Who should book this Hokkaido tour

I would recommend this tour to you if you want:

• A single organized day from Sapporo
• Autumn scenery without arranging a mountain trip yourself
• Included admission to the ropeway and zoo
• A choice of ramen shops instead of a fixed lunch
• Guiding in English, Chinese, or Japanese
• A family-friendly mix of scenery, food, and animals

I would think twice if you need wheelchair access, have heart problems, are over 95, or have a hearing impairment, since the experience is not listed as suitable for those conditions. The day is also a poor match for anyone who dislikes long coach rides or needs generous time at animal exhibits.

The meeting point is the lobby on the first floor of the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Sapporo. Hotel staff are not expected to provide tour meeting instructions, so arrive knowing where to gather. The tour finishes at Sapporo Station’s north exit, not back at the hotel.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available starting time carefully, since the exact departure time is not fixed in the information provided.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a high-value sightseeing shortcut that covers two major Hokkaido attractions in one demanding day. The Kurodake Ropeway supplies the big seasonal view, Asahikawa provides a local bowl of ramen, and Asahiyama Zoo adds close animal viewing with polar bears and penguins.

Skip it if you want a relaxed pace. The 10.5-hour schedule includes a lot of coach time, only one hour at the zoo, and lunch at your own expense. For the right person, the mix is fun and efficient. For the wrong person, it can feel like a long ride between short visits.

FAQ

How long does the Hokkaido tour last?

The tour lasts 630 minutes, which is 10.5 hours.

Where does the tour start?

You meet in the first-floor lobby of the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Sapporo.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at Sapporo Station’s north exit.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is on your own at Asahikawa Ramen Village or Asahiyama Zoo. Ramen and other food costs are not included.

What tickets are included?

The Kurodake Ropeway riding ticket and Asahiyama Zoo admission ticket are included. Bus transport and guide service are also included.

What languages are available for the guide?

Guiding is available in English, Chinese, and Japanese.

Is there a toilet on the bus?

No. There is no toilet on the bus. You can eat and drink on board, but you must take your rubbish with you.

Can the schedule change because of weather?

Yes. The itinerary can change because of weather or road conditions. Bring your own umbrella if rain is possible, since umbrellas are not provided.