Sapporo: Asahiyama Zoo and Shirahige Falls Trip /w Hotel Pickup

The penguin parade at Asahiyama Zoo is the star of this long winter day. You also get Biei’s turquoise Blue Pond, frozen Shirahige Falls, snowy fields, and Ningle Terrace’s little craft cabins, all without arranging several separate trips from Sapporo.

I like the sensible mix of wildlife and scenery, and I like that zoo admission, transport, guiding, and hotel pickup are bundled into the price. The tradeoff is the distance: this is about 10 hours, and a good share of the day goes by road.

Key points to know before booking

• Penguins at Asahiyama Zoo: Spend about two hours at Hokkaido’s best-known zoo, with admission included.
• Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls: See two of Biei’s most unusual sights, both especially striking against snow.
• Shikisai-no-Oka: Visit a large flower park that also offers optional alpaca feeding and snow activities.
• Ningle Terrace after dark: Browse handmade crafts in small timber cabins lit by evening lights.
• Hotel pickup and a small group: Pickup is offered with the hotel package, and the group is limited to 27 people.
• Winter scheduling matters: Asahiyama Zoo closes from December 30 through January 1, when the route changes.

Why this Hokkaido day trip works

Hokkaido is wide open, and its best sights are scattered between Sapporo, Asahikawa, and Biei. That makes this tour useful if you want a full day outside the city but do not want to rent a car, study rural bus schedules, or drive on snowy roads.

The route joins several very different places. You begin with animals at Asahiyama Zoo, then move through Biei’s open farmland and blue water, stop at a waterfall fed by underground springs, and finish among small craft shops in a forest setting. It feels like a sampler of central Hokkaido rather than a single attraction.

At $54.23 per person, the value is strongest for visitors who want convenience. You are paying for a roughly 10-hour outing, transport, a driver and guide, hotel pickup and return with the relevant package, and zoo entry. Meals, personal purchases, optional snow activities, alpaca feeding, and the Shirogane Onsen admission are extra.

The price is less compelling if you only want one or two sights. Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls can be seen fairly quickly, while the lengthy road journey still takes up much of the day. I would choose this trip for variety and ease, not for a relaxed pace at one location.

Two hours with the penguins at Asahiyama Zoo

Asahiyama Zoo is the main attraction and the first stop. You have about two hours here, with admission included, which gives you enough time to focus on the zoo’s best-known winter feature, the penguin parade.

Penguins walk in a group along a set route as part of their winter routine. It is a charming sight, but it also has a practical purpose: the walk gives the birds exercise when cold-weather conditions limit their movement. The winter setting is part of the appeal, so bring clothing that lets you wait outdoors comfortably.

Two hours is a useful amount of time, though not an unlimited one. You will need to keep an eye on the meeting time rather than wander through every corner of the zoo. If you have a special interest in one animal area, ask the guide about timing early in the visit.

The zoo is closed from December 30 through January 1. During those dates, this stop is removed and the day instead includes Biei’s Seven Star Tree, Shikisai-no-Oka, Blue Pond, Shirahige Falls, a herb garden with a hot drink, and Ningle Terrace. That alternate plan still has plenty to see, but it is not a substitute for the penguins.

The zoo makes this tour especially good for families and first-time visitors to Hokkaido. It also gives the day a clear anchor. Without it, the outing would be mostly scenic stops, which may feel repetitive in winter weather.

Blue Pond, where color meets snow

The Shirogane Blue Pond is one of Biei’s most memorable photo stops. You get about 40 minutes here, and there is no separate admission charge.

The pond’s turquoise color comes from natural minerals in the water. Against snow, the pale tree trunks and cold blue surface create a strange, almost painted scene. The exact look can change with weather, light, and seasonal conditions, so you should treat the color as a natural effect rather than a guaranteed postcard image.

Forty minutes is usually enough for a walk and photographs. It is not enough for a long, unhurried outing, and the stop is designed that way. The pond is a focused scenic visit within a much larger day.

I like the contrast with Asahiyama Zoo. After the noise and movement of animals, Blue Pond gives you a quiet place to look, take pictures, and reset. The downside is that the stop can feel brief if you want to explore beyond the main viewing area.

Seven Star Tree and Biei’s open farmland

The Seven Star Tree is a quick stop of about 20 minutes. This lone oak became famous after appearing on cigarette packaging in the 1970s, turning an ordinary farm tree into a familiar Hokkaido image.

The tree is set among Biei’s patchwork fields. In winter, the fields become broad, pale spaces, and the solitary oak has a stark quality that works well in photographs. This is less about an attraction you enter and more about seeing how a simple rural view became part of Hokkaido’s public image.

Please stay out of farmland and keep to appropriate viewing areas. The surrounding fields are working agricultural land, not an open park.

Twenty minutes is enough for the tree and the view, but this stop will not satisfy anyone looking for a long walk. I see it as a pleasant visual pause between the larger attractions, especially if you enjoy rural photography or simple scenes.

Shikisai-no-Oka beyond the flowers

Shikisai-no-Oka covers 15 hectares and is known for slopes filled with bands of flowers such as lavender, poppies, and sunflowers. In winter, do not book this stop expecting the full summer display. Flowering dates vary, and the route may be adjusted to match seasonal conditions.

The park remains useful outside the main flower season because of its open views and optional activities. Snow experiences may be available at an additional cost. Alpaca encounters are also optional, with feeding listed at ¥500.

You get about 40 minutes here. That is enough to look around and decide if an extra activity interests you, but it is not a long visit. Optional charges are not part of the advertised price, so keep some flexibility in your budget if you want to feed the alpacas or try a snow activity.

This stop adds variety to the day. The Blue Pond is about water and color, Shirahige Falls is about moving water, and Shikisai-no-Oka gives you broad views and a chance for a light activity. Still, expectations matter. The park’s famous rainbow effect depends heavily on the time of year.

Shirahige Falls and the Blue River

Shirahige Falls is one of the more unusual stops. Water from underground springs pours down through the rocks in thin white streams, then joins the turquoise Blue River below. The name means white beard, a fitting description for the falling water.

You have about 30 minutes here, with no separate admission charge. The falls are close to the Shirogane area and work well as a short stop because the main sight is easy to appreciate quickly.

The color contrast is the point: white water, blue river, dark rock, and snow around it. In cold weather, the falls take on a particularly sharp appearance, though you should expect winter surfaces to be cold and possibly slippery.

I would not treat this as a replacement for a full nature walk. It is a compact viewpoint, not a lengthy hike. Its value comes from how different it looks from the Blue Pond, even though both are part of the same Biei and Shirogane area.

Shirogane Onsen and the extra ¥2,000 choice

The itinerary includes time at Shirogane Onsen, a hot spring village below the Tokachi Mountain Range. The setting is surrounded by snowy forest, and the mineral-rich water gives the springs their white-gold nickname.

Admission is not included on Route A and costs ¥2,000 per person. This is an important detail because the tour price can look all-inclusive at first glance. If you want to bathe, plan for the extra fee and allow time to change and use the facility.

A hot spring visit can be a welcome break after several hours outside. It also changes the rhythm of the day from sightseeing to rest. On the other hand, some people will prefer to use this hour for a warm drink, a short walk, or time at another stop rather than pay for a bath.

The route information also refers to a free hot beverage on Routes B and C. Since the route letter affects what is included, check the package details before booking so you know if the drink and onsen arrangement apply to your departure.

Ningle Terrace after sunset

Ningle Terrace is a group of 15 small timber cottages in a forest setting. The shops sell handmade goods such as lavender sachets and birchwood jewelry. At dusk, the lights around the cabins create a storybook atmosphere.

You have about 50 minutes here, making it one of the more generous stops after the zoo. This is the right place for a small souvenir with a local craft feel rather than a generic airport purchase. The setting is as important as the shopping, so leave time to walk through the cabins even if you do not plan to buy anything.

The timing is a major advantage. If the visit falls after daylight fades, the lights give the cottages their strongest character. If your schedule reaches Ningle Terrace earlier, the shops still offer crafts, but the evening mood may be less pronounced.

Keep your spending separate from the tour price. Purchases are personal expenses, and the tour does not include meals. A small snack or meal plan is sensible for a day this long.

The road time, pickup, and group size

This is a full-day outing of about 10 hours. The remaining time is used for transport between Sapporo, Asahikawa, Biei, and the Shirogane area. That is the price of seeing several places spread across central Hokkaido in one day.

Hotel or bed-and-breakfast pickup and drop-off are offered with the hotel pickup package. The stated meeting point is Sapporo Station North Square, at 3-chōme-12-2 Kita 7 Jōnishi, Kita Ward. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement for your accommodation, because the package and meeting instructions may differ.

The group can include up to 27 people. That is not a private tour, but it is still more manageable than a large coach outing. You should expect set departure times, shared stops, and the need to return to the vehicle promptly.

A driver and guide service fee is included. No guide name is provided, so you should not book this expecting a particular named guide. The guide’s practical role matters most here: keeping the day moving, explaining the stops, and helping with timing in a region where winter road conditions can affect the schedule.

The tour is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The information provided does not give detailed accessibility specifications, so ask the operator directly if you need precise details about vehicle access, walking surfaces, or mobility support.

Who should book this trip

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Sapporo and want to see central Hokkaido without driving. It is also a good fit for a first visit, since it combines the zoo, Biei scenery, a waterfall, a hot spring option, and a craft area in one booking.

Families may appreciate the penguins and optional alpaca encounter. Photographers will have several distinct subjects, from the blue water and lone oak to the falls and illuminated cabins. Couples may especially like Ningle Terrace if the stop takes place near dusk.

This is less suitable if you dislike long road journeys or want a slow day. The schedule is full, and most stops last between 20 and 50 minutes. It is also not the best choice if your main goal is bathing at Shirogane Onsen, since admission is extra and the day includes many other stops.

Winter visitors should pack for outdoor waiting and short walks. The tour is built around seasonal scenery, but snow can also make the day colder and less predictable. Keep your expectations flexible, especially for Shikisai-no-Oka, where flower displays depend on the season.

Should you book the Asahiyama Zoo and Biei trip?

Book it if you want a broad sample of Hokkaido’s winter sights at a reasonable $54.23, with transport and zoo entry handled for you. The penguin parade, Blue Pond, Shirahige Falls, and Ningle Terrace give the day enough variety to justify the long route.

Skip it if you want a quiet countryside day, a private guide, or a deep visit to just one place. The schedule moves quickly, and extras such as meals, alpaca feeding, snow activities, and the ¥2,000 onsen admission can raise the total.

The flexible cancellation policy is useful: you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. For most visitors based in Sapporo, this is a practical way to reach several difficult-to-combine sights in one winter day, as long as you are comfortable spending many hours on the road.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about 10 hours, including the time spent traveling between Sapporo and the Hokkaido sights.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel or bed-and-breakfast pickup and drop-off are included with the Hotel Pickup Package. The listed meeting point is Sapporo Station North Square, so confirm the exact arrangement for your booking.

Is admission to Asahiyama Zoo included?

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

What happens if Asahiyama Zoo is closed?

The zoo is closed from December 30 through January 1. On those dates, the route includes Biei’s Seven Star Tree, Shikisai-no-Oka, Blue Pond, Shirahige Falls, a herb garden with a hot drink, and Ningle Terrace instead.

Is the Shirogane Onsen admission included?

No. On Route A, admission to Shirogane Onsen costs ¥2,000 per person and is not included.

Are snow activities and alpaca feeding included?

No. Snow activities and the optional alpaca farm experience cost extra. Alpaca feeding is listed at ¥500.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.