A winter day trip to Asahiyama Zoo, Blue Pond, Biei Christmas Tree, and Fairy Terrace in Hokkaido, Japan | Dreamy night view | Guided tour in Chinese, English, Japanese, and Cantonese (departing from Sapporo)
- Hokkaido's Classic Winter Attractions: A Comprehensive Visit to Asahiyama Zoo, Blue Pond, Christmas Tree, and Fairy Terrace
- Winter-Limited Penguin Walk | Get up close to the popular penguins and also visit other star animals such as polar bears, seals, and Arctic foxes.
- Winter-Limited Dreamy Night Views | Blue Pond Illumination × Twilight Christmas Tree × Fairy Terrace: Enjoy different limited-time views depending on the month.
- Hokkaido's Snow Country Scenery | Capture popular scenic spots like snowfields, dreamy blue pools, and fairytale forests in one go, creating the most beautiful snow country memories.
- Multilingual Guide + Travel Insurance | We offer guide services in Chinese, English, Japanese, and Cantonese, and include travel insurance for a worry-free trip.
Package Options
Product Info
The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.
[Winter Limited-Time Experience]
Step into Asahiyama Zoo, one of Japan's most popular zoos (admission included), to enjoy a limited-time winter penguin walk and get up close to popular animals such as polar bears, seals, and Arctic foxes, experiencing the charm of Hokkaido's most representative zoo in winter.
[Dreamy Snow Country Night View]
Depending on the month, visitors can enjoy the illuminations at the Shirogane Blue Pond, the Biei Christmas Tree, and the Fairy Terrace, experiencing the romantic winter wonderland atmosphere of Hokkaido from the twilight snowscape to the dreamy lights.
[Classic Hokkaido Route]
Visit three popular areas—Asahikawa, Biei, and Furano—in one trip, connecting Asahikawa Zoo, Biei Christmas Tree, Shirogane Blue Pond, and Forest Elf Terrace, easily collecting classic winter attractions in Hokkaido.
Popular photo spots
The Biei Christmas tree in the snow-covered plains, the dreamy Shirogane Blue Pond, and the fairytale-like Forest Elf Terrace each have their own unique charm, making each a popular photo spot that you can't miss in Hokkaido's winter.
[Travel with ease and peace of mind]
Meet in Sapporo and depart by private car to and from Asahikawa, Biei and Furano. No need to drive or transfer. Comes with Chinese, English, Japanese and Cantonese-speaking tour guides and travel insurance for a relaxing winter day trip in Hokkaido.
Asahiyama Zoo (admission included): Hokkaido's most popular zoo, renowned for its close-to-natural exhibits. The zoo features a unique "moving exhibit" design, allowing visitors to observe animals up close in their natural habitat. Lunch is available at your own expense within the zoo.
Winter-Limited Penguin Walk: The popular penguin walk starts around 2:30 PM (approximately from early December to mid-March each year, subject to zoo announcements and snow conditions). You can also get up close to Hokkaido's star animals such as polar bears, seals, wolves, and Arctic foxes, and experience the charm of Asahiyama Zoo during the winter.
Biei Christmas Tree: Hokkaido's most iconic winter photo spot, a solitary Christmas tree amidst the snow-covered plains, showcasing the unique tranquility of the snow country. Enjoy the limited-time sunset Christmas tree in December; from January to February, admire the romantic silver-white Christmas tree and experience the winter charm of Hokkaido in different months.
Shirogane Blue Pond: One of Hokkaido's most popular dreamlike spots, famous for its mysterious blue lake. [December to January] Enjoy the limited-time nighttime illuminations of Shirogane Blue Pond; [February] Due to longer daylight hours, enjoy the snow-white blue pond scenery and experience the dreamlike landscapes of Hokkaido during different winter months.
![Shirogane Blue Pond: One of Hokkaido's most popular dreamlike spots, famous for its mysterious blue lake. [December to January] Enjoy the limited-time nighttime illuminations of Shirogane Blue Pond; [February] Due to longer daylight hours, enjoy the snow-white blue pond scenery and experience the dreamlike landscapes of Hokkaido during different winter months.](https://image.kkday.com/v2/image/get/c_fit%2Cq_55%2Ct_webp%2Cw_960/s1.kkday.com/product_scm_26536/20260709055229_wxmZS/jpg)
Forest Elf Terrace: A popular fairytale-like spot nestled in the Furano forest, this area features scattered wooden shops along forest trails, selling various handmade crafts and unique products. The tour includes an evening visit to the Forest Elf Terrace, where you can stroll through the illuminated, snow-white forest and experience a dreamlike atmosphere reminiscent of a fairytale world.
Purchase Notice
[Tourism Conditions]
Travel departure point and destination: Hokkaido
Trip duration: Day trip
Transportation: Chartered bus
Bus company name: 雪の花バス
Meals: Breakfast 0 times, Lunch 0 times, Dinner 0 times
Accommodation facilities: None
Minimum group size: 1
Team Leader: 0
Tour guide: 1
【Travel Planning/Implementation】
Operating Company Name: JCGroup Co., Ltd.
Address: 308 Minami-5-jo Higashi 3-chome 11-1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
License Number: Hokkaido Governor's Registered Travel Agent No. 2-924
Name of travel industry association: Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
Reminders
A minimum of 1 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
In the event of inclement weather such as typhoons or snowstorms, a decision on whether to cancel the tour will be made 4 day(s) before departure (local time 18:00). Notifications will then be sent via email
All final information regarding the departure the following day (including details of the guide, driver, and vehicle) will be sent via email between the afternoon and evening of the day before departure. Please be sure to check your email (including your spam/junk mail folder) to ensure successful receipt.
The tour guide communicates in English, Chinese, Japanese, and Cantonese. Since the tour guide receives tourists from different countries and regions, the tour guide may need to provide explanations and coordination in multiple languages. Therefore, it is not possible to guarantee that the service will be provided in only one language throughout the entire trip.
Itinerary Adjustment: In case of special circumstances such as some attractions being closed on certain dates, we will arrange alternative attractions of the same type for you. We apologize that we may not be able to notify you of each attraction in advance.
Traffic conditions: Some sections of the journey are quite long. Please understand that we may encounter traffic congestion or other uncontrollable situations. We cannot cover any additional costs incurred due to such delays.
Children must be 3 years of age or older to participate in this activity.
Wheelchairs are not suitable for this activity.
FAQ
1. How much time is typically recommended to fully explore Asahiyama Zoo?
Most visitors find that allocating 2 to 3 hours is generally sufficient to experience Asahiyama Zoo. This timeframe allows ample opportunity to observe the animals in their unique behavioral exhibits, catch scheduled feeding times, and enjoy special seasonal events like the popular penguin walk during winter.
2. What unique features or attractions distinguish Asahiyama Zoo from other zoos in Japan?
Asahiyama Zoo is renowned for its innovative 'behavioral exhibition' concept, which designs enclosures to allow animals to display their natural behaviors. Key attractions include the underwater tunnel for seals, the transparent dome in the polar bear enclosure, and spacious habitats for arctic foxes and wolves. In winter, the signature penguin walk is a major highlight that sets it apart.
3. What are the usual operating hours and any seasonal closure periods for Asahiyama Zoo, especially during winter?
Asahiyama Zoo's operating hours vary by season. During the winter period (typically mid-November to early April), the zoo generally operates from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The zoo also has scheduled closure periods, often in April for maintenance and a short closure around the New Year. It is highly recommended to check the official zoo calendar for the most current operating days and hours before your visit.
4. Can visitors experience the famous penguin walk at Asahiyama Zoo during the winter season?
Yes, the penguin walk is a celebrated winter-limited experience at Asahiyama Zoo, usually held from mid-December to mid-March. This event allows visitors to witness penguins waddling through a designated snowy path, offering an incredibly close and memorable encounter. It's a major draw for visitors during the colder months.
5. Which popular animals, besides penguins, can be seen at Asahiyama Zoo?
Beyond the beloved penguins, Asahiyama Zoo is home to a diverse array of popular animals, many of whom thrive in cold climates. Visitors can closely observe magnificent polar bears, playful seals in their innovative underwater tunnel, and captivating arctic foxes and wolves in naturalistic habitats designed to showcase their behaviors.
6. What is the 'behavioral exhibition' philosophy of Asahiyama Zoo, and how does it enhance the visitor experience?
The 'behavioral exhibition' philosophy at Asahiyama Zoo focuses on designing enclosures that encourage animals to exhibit their natural behaviors, rather than merely being viewed. This approach enhances the visitor experience by offering dynamic and immersive perspectives, allowing you to see animals like polar bears diving for food or seals swimming gracefully, providing a deeper understanding of their instincts.
7. How can visitors best plan their itinerary at Asahiyama Zoo to ensure they see all major highlights efficiently?
To effectively plan your visit to Asahiyama Zoo, it's advisable to check the daily schedule for animal feeding times and the penguin walk upon arrival, as these are popular events. Prioritize key exhibits such as the Penguin House, Polar Bear Aquatic Park, and Seal Pool. The zoo's relatively compact and well-signed layout makes it easy to navigate, allowing you to explore at a comfortable pace.
8. What are the typical transportation options available for reaching Asahiyama Zoo from Sapporo?
From Sapporo, visitors can reach Asahiyama Zoo by taking a train to Asahikawa Station, followed by a local bus to the zoo. Alternatively, many travelers opt for organized day tours that provide convenient round-trip transportation directly from Sapporo. These tours offer a hassle-free way to visit the zoo without needing to coordinate multiple public transport connections.
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