We will notify you of the cancellation by email 4 days prior to departure.
In the event of bad weather such as a typhoon or snowstorm, we will notify you of the cancellation via email one day before departure (at 3:00 p.m. local time).
Please arrive at the designated location 15 minutes early to avoid delays in your itinerary. Please note that if you are late, we will not be able to wait for you.
The itinerary may change depending on road conditions on the day. Please be aware of this in advance.
This course is accompanied by a foreign language tour conductor or interpreter who will provide guidance on the meeting time, location, etc. in the language of the traveler's choice. However, there is no language service to introduce sightseeing spots.
Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing for the tour.
Please bring it to the meeting place 15 minutes before the meeting time. Charter flights depart on time. If the waiting time exceeds 5 minutes, it will be treated as a NO-show. Please note that we cannot provide refunds.
Please check your local tour number and meet at the hotel lobby.
The meeting time may vary depending on the flowering season or weather conditions. We will depart as usual. note that.
The popular penguin walk at Asahiyama Zoo is a highlight of the winter season. Typically, two walks are held daily, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. The precise start times can vary based on weather conditions and the penguins' welfare. Visitors can confirm the exact timings on the day of their visit to ensure they don't miss this unique opportunity to observe the penguins up close as they parade through the zoo.
Asahiyama Zoo is renowned for its innovative enclosures designed to allow visitors to observe animals' natural behaviors from unique perspectives. Must-see attractions include the underwater tunnel in the Penguin House, where you can watch penguins "fly" through water, and the Polar Bear Aquatic Park, offering a close-up view of polar bears swimming. Other popular exhibits feature seals, wolves, and red pandas, all designed to immerse visitors in the animals' habitats.
To fully experience the main attractions and ensure you have time for the penguin walk, a visit of approximately 2 to 3 hours at Asahiyama Zoo is generally recommended. This allows sufficient time to explore the unique enclosures, observe various animal behaviors, and enjoy the interactive exhibits without feeling rushed. If you wish to visit gift shops or dine, you might extend your stay slightly.
For your convenience, the tour provides hotel pickup services within a 3 km radius of Sapporo Station. Transportation to Asahiyama Zoo, Biei Blue Pond, and other destinations is handled by comfortable vehicles such as Alphard or Hiace Grand Cabin, depending on the group size. This ensures a flexible and comfortable journey, allowing you to relax and enjoy the scenic routes without worrying about public transport schedules or transfers between locations.
During winter, Biei Blue Pond transforms into a serene, snow-covered landscape where the famous blue waters are often frozen and blanketed in white, offering a strikingly beautiful contrast. The bare larch trees emerging from the snow create a unique, ethereal atmosphere, often illuminated at night. The nearby Christmas Tree, a solitary tree standing majestically in a snowy field, becomes an iconic winter photography spot, embodying the peaceful beauty of Hokkaido's winter scenery.
At Biei Blue Pond, visitors primarily engage in sightseeing and photography, capturing the pond's distinct blue hues or its stunning winter transformation. The area is perfect for a leisurely stroll along the designated paths, appreciating the natural scenery and the artistic arrangement of the trees. A typical visit to Biei Blue Pond usually lasts about 30 to 60 minutes, providing ample time to explore and take memorable pictures of this unique natural landmark.
The shared tour utilizes comfortable vehicles like the Alphard and Hiace Grand Cabin, chosen to flexibly accommodate the number of participants. These vehicles ensure a pleasant and spacious travel experience throughout your Hokkaido winter journey. Additionally, the tour staff can communicate in Japanese, Chinese, and English, providing convenient support and information during transit to and from each destination.
The stop in Furano during the tour is designed to offer a taste of local delights, specifically its renowned ice cream. Visitors can typically enjoy various flavored ice creams, often featuring local Hokkaido milk or seasonal ingredients unique to the Furano region. This provides a refreshing and delicious break, allowing you to savor a popular local treat amidst your winter sightseeing.