A day trip to Asahikawa and Biei, Hokkaido, Japan | Asahiyama Zoo, Blue Pond, Shirahige Falls, Fairy Terrace/Cheese Factory | Departing from Sapporo
- Winter-limited penguin walk and fairy terrace
- A comprehensive guide to Hokkaido's dreamy winter photo spots: Biei Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls
- Choose between a 9-person boutique tour or a bus tour, offering a comfortable travel experience.
- Chinese and Japanese are available, so there's no need to worry about communication problems.
Package Options
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Luggage limit | 1 piece |
| Minimum participant requirement | 4 travelers |
| Tour types | Guided tour |
| Meal arrangement | Arrange yourself |
| Seasonal | Winter Snow Exclusive |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights, Bus tour |
| Transport | Bus tour |
Product Info
Purchase Notice
[Tourism Conditions]
Travel departure and destination: Hokkaido
Trip duration: Day trip
Transportation: Bus
Bus Company Name: Huaying International Tourism Co., Ltd.
Meals: Breakfast 0 times, Lunch 0 times, Dinner 0 times
Accommodation facilities: None
Minimum group size: 4 people
Team Leader: 0
Tour guide: 1 person (guide provided in minibus or larger vehicle), small groups will have the driver/guide also serving as the guide.
【Travel Planning & Execution】
Operating company name: Mataro Co., Ltd.
Address: 2F, 3-9-24 Maejima, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
License Number: Okinawa Prefecture Governor's Registered Travel Agent No. 2-344
Reminders
A minimum of 4 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 4 day(s) before the departure date
Please arrive at the designated location 10 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
Adults and children are charged the same price; those under 18 years of age or over 65 years of age cannot purchase tickets alone and must be accompanied by a guardian. Elderly individuals, those with hypertension, heart disease or other cardiovascular diseases, and pregnant women are not permitted to participate in this trip.
When making a reservation, please be sure to provide your contact information (mobile phone number with international roaming enabled / Line / Whatsapp / WeChat). Customer service will confirm your itinerary with you no later than 21:00 (local time) one day before departure. Please keep an eye out for this message. If you have not been contacted by then, please contact customer service.
This is a fixed itinerary. Please wait at the designated location 10 minutes in advance for departure. If the driver/guide is unable to contact you due to personal reasons, the driver will wait for 5 minutes before leaving to ensure the travel time for all guests. This will be considered as the guest's voluntary abandonment, and no refund will be given. The loss will be borne by the guest.
To ensure the smooth progress of other guests' tours, if a guest fails to return to the designated meeting point at the specified time, the driver/guide will wait for 5 minutes. Late guests/those who do not return on time will need to proceed to the next meeting point on their own. Failure to proceed to the next meeting point will be considered as abandoning the tour.
The vehicle type is not fixed and will be arranged according to the actual number of travelers. Tour guides will be provided for vehicles larger than minibuses. Each person is limited to one piece of checked baggage free of charge. Please be aware of this.
Natural scenery is subject to the influence of the weather on the day of the visit, which is an unavoidable factor. If the expected scenery is not enjoyed as expected, no refund will be given. Please be aware of this.
If you need to leave the group during the trip, you may do so at the designated parking location; however, parking locations cannot be changed arbitrarily during the trip, please understand. If you leave the group midway through the trip, the transaction will be considered invalid, and no refund will be given. Furthermore, you will be solely responsible for any personal injury or property damage resulting from this.
If the tour cannot proceed due to weather conditions, unforeseen events, or other force majeure or unforeseen circumstances, a full refund will be issued without any penalty for breach of contract.
This product does not include personal outbound travel insurance; it is recommended that guests purchase insurance before traveling.
The bus tour includes admission to Asahiyama Zoo; the small group tour does not include admission to Asahiyama Zoo and must be arranged separately.
Please be sure to comply with local Japanese laws and regulations, and do not bring any items prohibited by Japanese law, so as to avoid violating the law and affecting your own rights.
During free time, you should pay attention to your personal safety and property security. If you do not heed the advice and an accident or loss occurs, you will be responsible for the consequences.
Due to frequent blizzards in Hokkaido and restricted road conditions, the management of Elf Terrace may notify the bus company that it is not possible to go to Elf Terrace at certain times. In such cases, we will immediately coordinate to go to other attractions, and the duration of the visit may change. Thank you for your understanding.
FAQ
Visitors generally spend about 2 to 3 hours exploring Asahiyama Zoo to fully enjoy its unique exhibits. The zoo is designed for close-up animal observation, featuring innovative enclosures like the underwater tunnel for penguins and the dome for polar bears, which encourages a leisurely pace. This allows ample time to see the diverse range of animals and specific feeding times if planned.
The iconic penguin walk at Asahiyama Zoo is a winter-exclusive event, typically held from mid-December to mid-March. There are usually two daily walks, one in the morning (around 11:00 AM) and one in the afternoon (around 2:30 PM), though exact times can vary depending on the day's conditions and zoo schedule. 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 "action exhibits" that allow visitors to see animals in natural behaviors. Highlights include the 'Penguin Aquatic Park' where penguins swim overhead through a glass tunnel, the 'Polar Bear Pavilion' featuring a glass dome for underwater views, and the 'Seal Pavilion' with a cylindrical tank for seals to swim vertically. These designs provide immersive, close-up perspectives of the animals.
Hokkaido's Blue Pond, or Aoiike, captivates visitors with its striking azure blue color, which is a result of natural minerals reflecting sunlight. The vibrant blue water, combined with the skeletal remnants of larch and birch trees submerged within, creates a surreal and ethereal landscape, especially popular among photographers and nature enthusiasts seeking unique scenery. Its appearance changes with the season and light conditions.
The distinctive blue color of Biei's Blue Pond is attributed to the presence of aluminum hydroxide particles naturally suspended in the water. These fine particles scatter sunlight, primarily reflecting blue wavelengths, similar to how the sky appears blue. The water originates from the nearby Shirahige Falls, which carries these mineral-rich components from Mount Tokachi.
At Biei's Blue Pond, visitors are primarily limited to viewing and photography from designated walking paths. Due to its delicate natural environment and composition, activities such as swimming, fishing, or throwing objects into the pond are strictly prohibited. Respecting the marked trails and environmental regulations helps preserve the pond's unique beauty for everyone.
Shirahige Falls, also known as 'White Beard Falls', is unique because its water doesn't flow from a river but instead gushes directly from cracks in the cliff face, resembling white whiskers. The water, rich in minerals, then cascades into the Biei River, contributing to the distinct blue hue of the river downstream and ultimately the Blue Pond. Its beauty is enhanced by the surrounding winter scenery.
Ningle Terrace, or Elf Terrace, offers a magical experience nestled within a forest near Furano. It features a collection of rustic wooden cabins connected by charming walkways, each housing a unique craft shop selling handmade goods inspired by nature and local artists. Visitors can stroll through the enchanting atmosphere, enjoy the artisan crafts, and experience a cozy, fairytale-like ambiance, especially captivating in the evening with soft lighting.
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