【Hokkaido, Japan Day Trip】Asahiyama Zoo + Shirahi Falls + Biei's iconic tree | Departure from Sapporo | English/Chinese guided tour | Lunch included (optional)
- Just play without going to any shopping stores, our humorous driver-guide will take you on a tour of Hokkaido.
- A super-condensed one-day tour to the popular Asahiyama Zoo, with free admission.
- One person forms a group, and it is sent out every day. It is suitable for family tours, girlfriends, couples, and families, as well as leisure vacations.
- You can choose to add a meal package and enjoy fresh and delicious local Japanese farm cuisine at the farm restaurant.
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Departure Time | Early Departure (Before 8 am) |
| Luggage limit | 1 piece |
| Minimum participant requirement | 1 traveler |
| Tour types | Guided tour |
| Meal arrangement | Lunch included, Arrange yourself |
| Family-friendly | Free for children under 2 (no seat) |
| Seasonal | Winter Snow Exclusive |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights, Bus tour |
| Transport | Bus tour |
Product Info
Purchase Notice
[Regarding luggage] Each person may bring one large suitcase free of charge, regardless of size. If you have one, please make a note when placing your order! If you do not inform us in advance and there is not enough space on the vehicle, we will refuse to let you on board and the fee will not be refunded.
[Regarding Free Infants and Toddlers] Infants and toddlers aged 2 and under are free if held in arms and do not occupy a seat. Each adult can bring one infant or toddler. If you are bringing one, please make a note when placing your order! If you do not make a note in advance and there are not enough seats on the bus, you will be refused boarding and the fee will not be refunded.
[Travel Notice]
1. Guests who book the same set meal will be arranged to dine together.
2. During the winter itinerary, the tour guide will arrange to visit either the Seven Star Tree or the Ken & Mary Tree, depending on the situation. Please understand that sometimes, due to traffic problems or severe weather such as blizzards, it may be impossible to visit either the Seven Star Tree or the Ken & Mary Tree.
3. If there is heavy traffic or severe congestion on the day of departure, the itinerary may be changed. Please follow the instructions of the tour guide on that day. Furthermore, as Japanese law explicitly regulates drivers' working hours, we hereby declare that in the event of the above situations, our tour guide has the right to shorten the time spent at attractions or reduce the number of attractions visited, and to advance or extend the meeting and dismissal times, without being able to request a refund on this basis!
4. To avoid losses, please do not book other activities on the same day, including restaurant reservations, attraction reservations, and flight or train bookings!
5. Winter is peak tourist season, and restaurants and shops at attractions may be crowded during peak hours. To make your trip smoother and more comfortable, we suggest you prepare some simple light snacks (such as rice balls, sandwiches, etc.) in advance so you can replenish your energy at any time during the trip and also save time waiting in line.
Reminders
This tour requires a minimum of one person to form a group. Once the order is confirmed, the date cannot be changed arbitrarily. Any losses incurred will be borne by the individual.
Please wear comfortable shoes for this tour. Please carry your passport and valuables with you during the tour and keep them safe. You will be responsible for any loss, theft, or damage.
Individuals with cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease, as well as pregnant women, are not permitted to participate. This tour does not accept individual registrations for those under 18 years of age. A guardian must also register with the tour. Individuals over 70 years of age are not permitted to travel alone and must be accompanied by a family member over 22 years of age.
Please note that if you do not participate or cancel the tour due to personal reasons, such as lateness, no refund will be given. If you leave the tour during the tour, your transaction will be deemed invalid and no refund will be given. You will be solely responsible for any consequences that may affect your personal or property.
The arrival time of each tour may change due to traffic conditions, weather, and crowds on the day. If the tour is delayed or cancelled due to the aforementioned or other force majeure factors, please understand that this is not a reason for requesting a refund.
Please be sure to arrive at the designated pick-up location at the designated time. Please do not be late. This product cannot be refunded, changed, or transferred to other flights or joined mid-trip. If you fail to join this trip due to personal reasons, you will be solely responsible for the corresponding losses. Thank you for your understanding.
Please take your trash with you when you get off the bus; to ensure that you do not disturb other passengers while the bus is in motion, please do not make loud noises, please do not move around while the vehicle is in motion, and please wear your seat belts at the designated boarding location; if the tour vehicle is soiled due to personal reasons, the cleaning cost will be borne entirely by the guest in accordance with Japanese law.
The journey is quite long, so please ensure you are in good health and fit for the trip. If you are prone to motion sickness or other discomfort, please bring your own medicine, bottled water, and vomit bags. Any damage to the vehicle caused by personal reasons will be borne by you, and you will be responsible for any cleaning fees. Thank you for your understanding.
Please keep your mobile phone open so that the relevant reception staff can contact you.
Please understand that sometimes we may have to arrive at the next attraction or end our trip earlier due to the closure of various facilities or the restriction of visiting hours.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 14 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- For cancellations made 11 to 13 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 30% will apply
- For cancellations made 5 to 10 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 40% will apply
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–4 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
FAQ
The iconic penguin walk at Asahiyama Zoo typically takes place during the winter months, usually between mid-December and mid-March. There are generally two sessions per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Specific times can vary each season and may be subject to change based on weather conditions or the penguins' health. It's recommended to check the official zoo schedule on the day of your visit for the most accurate timings.
Asahiyama Zoo is renowned for its innovative and immersive enclosures designed to offer visitors unique perspectives of the animals. You can walk through an underwater glass tunnel for a 360-degree view of seals swimming overhead, stand in a glass dome in the polar bear enclosure to see them dive and play up close, and observe monkeys and wolves from various angles that mimic their natural habitats. These exhibits provide a deeper connection to the animals' behaviors.
To fully enjoy the unique exhibits and animal viewing experiences at Asahiyama Zoo, a recommended visit duration is typically around 3 to 4 hours. This allows ample time to explore the various zones, observe the animals' behaviors, and potentially catch a feeding time or the famous penguin walk (if available seasonally). Visitors who wish to see every exhibit in detail might extend their stay to half a day.
Traveling from Sapporo to Asahiyama Zoo typically involves taking a train to Asahikawa, then a local bus to the zoo. However, for a more convenient and direct experience to multiple destinations like Shirahige Falls and Biei's famous trees, many visitors opt for dedicated day tours. These tours provide direct transportation from Sapporo, allowing you to relax and enjoy the scenic journey without navigating multiple transfers or complex public transport schedules.
Biei is famous for its picturesque rural landscapes and iconic lone trees. Must-see spots include the Ken & Mary Tree, known for its appearance in a Nissan commercial, and the Seven Star Tree, featured on a cigarette package. The Christmas Tree stands alone beautifully against the snowy backdrop in winter. Exploring the 'Patchwork Road' and 'Panorama Road' reveals stunning views of rolling hills and vibrant fields that change with the seasons.
Among the most popular animal exhibits at Asahiyama Zoo are the 'Penguin Aquatic Park,' where visitors can watch penguins dive and swim, and the 'Polar Bear Aquatic Park,' offering views of polar bears swimming from a glass tunnel. The 'Seal House' provides a unique cylindrical tank for seals to swim vertically, and the 'Wolf Forest' allows close observation of a pack of wolves in a naturalistic habitat, highlighting their social structures and behaviors.
Shirahige Falls, also known as 'White Beard Falls,' is notable for its numerous thin streams of water cascading down rock crevices, resembling a white beard. Its water originates from underground springs, flowing into the Biei River, which is famously vibrant blue. The falls are particularly striking in winter when the water freezes into intricate ice formations, and throughout the year due to the unique cobalt blue hue of the river below.
Asahiyama Zoo offers unique experiences year-round; winter allows observation of the famous penguin walk in the snow, while other seasons feature active animals outdoors. Shirahige Falls showcases dynamic beauty with lush greens in summer, vibrant foliage in autumn, and stunning ice formations in winter. Biei's famous trees are picturesque in every season, from vibrant flower fields and green summer landscapes to golden autumn hues and magical snow-covered scenes.
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