EN/CN | Kurodake Ropeway, Asahiyama Zoo, with Ramen 1D Bus | Hokkaido

Kurodake’s autumn color is the reason to make this long day trip from Sapporo. The ropeway lifts you above the trees toward the Daisetsuzan mountains, where fall shades meet broad mountain views, and in October you may also see snow on the peaks.

I like that the day pairs a dramatic mountain ride with two very different Hokkaido stops: a warming bowl of Asahikawa ramen and a visit to Asahiyama Zoo. I also like having bus transport and a bilingual guide for a route that would take more planning to do independently.

The trade-off is time. You spend several hours on the road, while the scheduled stops are short: about 90 minutes at Kurodake, an hour for lunch, and an hour at the zoo. Weather can also cancel the ropeway, with no refund if it closes after the tour begins.

The useful details at a glance

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• Kurodake Ropeway is the main event: The round-trip ropeway ticket is included, but chairlift fees are not.
• Ramen is your own expense: You get about an hour at Asahikawa Ramen Village to choose lunch and eat.
• Zoo time is limited: The scheduled visit is one hour, so plan to choose a few exhibits rather than expect to see everything.
• The route starts in central Sapporo: Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Sapporo lobby, then return to the Sapporo Station North Exit Parking Lot.
• Weather can change the day: Ropeway service and road conditions affect the schedule, and there is no refund for a ropeway closure after departure.
• Guiding is offered in English and Chinese: Gao Ge is one guide named by a participant, but the specific guide may vary.

👉 See our pick of the 10 Best Guided Tours In Sapporo

Kurodake: a mountain ride worth planning around

The first major stop is Daisetsuzan Sounkyo Kurodake Ropeway, roughly three hours after the bus leaves Sapporo. The planned visit lasts about 90 minutes, including the ropeway experience. From the gondola, you rise above the forest toward a high mountain setting known for some of Japan’s earliest autumn color.

The view is the great payoff here. In the right season, the slopes turn red and gold, while the wider Daisetsuzan range gives the scene a scale you will not get from a city park or roadside viewpoint. One October visitor described seeing both fall foliage and snow-covered peaks, a striking combination that can happen as the season turns.

Keep expectations tied to the weather and the calendar. The leaves do not follow a fixed schedule, and a trip booked for autumn may find peak color has passed or not yet arrived. The scenery can still be beautiful without red leaves, but if fall color is your main reason for booking, check recent conditions close to your date and keep some flexibility in mind.

The ropeway is weather dependent. Strong or otherwise unsuitable conditions can stop service, and the operator says there is no refund if it is canceled after the tour has started. This is a real value risk: the mountain is the day’s headline stop, but no bus tour can promise the weather will cooperate.

The included ticket covers the round trip on the ropeway, not the lift fees beyond it. If you want to continue higher, expect that part to cost extra and confirm current operating arrangements on the day. The schedule does not leave a long window, so do not count on an extended hike or a leisurely mountain visit.

Asahikawa Ramen Village: a warm lunch, on your own clock

After Kurodake, the bus takes you to Asahikawa Ramen Village for about an hour. Lunch is not included, and neither are drinks or other personal purchases. That hour needs to cover choosing a place, ordering, eating, and getting back to the bus on time.

This stop works well as a practical pause between the mountain and the zoo. Asahikawa ramen is a regional specialty, and a steaming bowl is especially welcome on a cool autumn day. The village setting gives you a chance to make your own choice rather than eat a fixed tour meal, though a busy lunch period can make the hour feel brisk.

I would have your payment method ready and avoid spending too long weighing every option. You will want to leave enough time to eat without watching the clock over every spoonful. If you have dietary restrictions, the tour information does not provide details about restaurant menus, so check directly at the shops.

The ramen stop is self-guided, unlike the ropeway visit. Your guide can help with timing and general direction, but you should not expect a hosted meal or a pre-paid lunch. Bring extra spending money, since the advertised tour price does not include the bowl.

Asahiyama Zoo: a focused visit, not a full-day safari

The final main stop is Asahiyama Zoo, with about an hour scheduled for your own visit. The zoo is known here for its northern animals and exhibits that let you observe how they live in cooler conditions. You can expect an engaging change of pace after the mountain scenery and lunch, but one hour is a short visit for a full zoo.

A sensible approach is to choose a small number of exhibits before you enter. The tour reaches the zoo in the afternoon, and a tight schedule means you may not have time to wander through every area. The route and walking time matter too: one person found the return climb after entering through the east gate steep. If you have a choice of route inside, consider how you can avoid doubling back or finishing with an uphill slog.

The published itinerary allocates one hour here. A participant whose ropeway visit was affected by weather described having two hours at the zoo instead, but that was a changed schedule, not something to count on. In general, the stop may shift if weather or road conditions disrupt the day.

Follow the zoo’s rules and keep behind barriers. The tour information specifically warns visitors not to approach animal enclosures beyond the fence. Wear shoes suited to walking, especially if rain is in the forecast, since wet paths can be slippery.

The bus day: convenient, but a long ride

The bus leaves at 8:00 a.m. from the first-floor lobby of ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Sapporo. Arrive 15 minutes early. The return is scheduled for around 6:00 p.m. at Sapporo Station North Exit Parking Lot, with arrival expected between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. Traffic can shift the timing, so avoid booking a tight evening connection.

The bus makes this itinerary feasible without renting a car or working out connections across a large region. One participant described a large bus with a small group, though group size can vary. A guide gives English and Chinese explanations, helps keep the schedule moving, and can offer suggestions for planning each stop. Gao Ge was praised by name for clear reminders and helpful guidance, but you should not assume the same guide will lead every departure.

There is no toilet on the bus. That detail matters on a full-day route, so use facilities whenever the group stops and keep a small amount of water handy. Eating and drinking on board are allowed, but take your rubbish with you. Suitcases may be accepted, though very large bags can be refused, and the operator does not take responsibility for lost luggage.

The tour’s rhythm is practical rather than leisurely. You get transport and access to three very different places in a single day, but you also spend much of the day following a timetable. If you prefer slow meals, long walks, or hours to explore a zoo, this format will feel restrictive. If you value seeing distant highlights without driving yourself, the trade-off may be worthwhile.

What the price covers, and what it does not

The package information gives different starting prices: the summary shows from $75.05, while the listed one-day tour options show from $107.20. Prices can vary by package and date, so check the total for your chosen departure before booking rather than relying on a single starting figure.

The stated inclusions are round-trip transfers, admission to Asahiyama Zoo, a round-trip Kurodake Ropeway ticket, an English-speaking guide, a Chinese-speaking guide, and operator-provided insurance. Lift fees are not included. You pay separately for ramen, drinks, and other personal expenses.

For value, think of this as a transport-and-access package, not an all-inclusive day. The distance from Sapporo makes the bus and guide useful, and combining mountain scenery, regional food, and wildlife is a varied way to use one day. On the other hand, the ropeway’s weather risk is significant, and the zoo visit is brief. If the ropeway closes after the tour starts, the operator says there is no refund, even though that is the stop many people are booking for.

You can cancel for a full refund at least 48 hours before the activity date, according to the stated terms. If the operator cancels before the tour due to extreme weather or another unforeseen event, you can reschedule or request a full refund. Once the tour is underway, the no-refund conditions apply to a ropeway closure or a decision that weather makes it difficult to continue.

Who will get the most from this autumn tour

This trip suits you if you are staying in Sapporo, want to see Daisetsuzan without arranging a rental car, and are happy with a tightly timed day. It is especially appealing if mountain views matter more to you than a long zoo visit, and if you like having a guide explain the route in English or Chinese.

Families can bring children, but no child seats are available. Children aged four and older pay the adult rate. Children aged zero to three can join free if they do not need a separate seat. Those details are worth checking before you book, especially if you are traveling with a toddler.

The tour requires at least two participants. If the minimum is not met, the stated options are to choose another date or request a full refund. Bring clothing suited to that day’s conditions and your own umbrella if rain is possible, since umbrellas are not provided.

One naming detail deserves attention: the overview mentions Blue Pond, but the timed route provided lists Kurodake Ropeway, Asahikawa Ramen Village, and Asahiyama Zoo. Do not assume Blue Pond is included unless your selected package explicitly confirms it.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a convenient, guided day from Sapporo built around Kurodake’s mountain views, with ramen and a zoo visit as useful extras. The strongest reasons to go are the rare chance to reach the ropeway without driving and the variety of scenery, food, and wildlife in one outing.

Skip it if you need generous time at each stop, have little tolerance for a long bus day, or would be disappointed if weather canceled the ropeway. Before paying, confirm the exact package price, whether your date is likely to suit your foliage expectations, and that Blue Pond is not part of the listed route unless specifically included.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs at 8:00 a.m. from the first-floor lobby of ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Sapporo. Arrive 15 minutes early.

Where does the tour return?

The scheduled return point is Sapporo Station North Exit Parking Lot. Arrival is expected between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m.

Is lunch included?

No. Ramen and other meals and drinks are not included. You have about an hour at Asahikawa Ramen Village to buy lunch.

What admissions are included?

The tour includes admission to Asahiyama Zoo and a round-trip ticket for the Kurodake Ropeway. Lift fees are not included.

Is there an English-speaking guide?

Yes. English- and Chinese-speaking guide services are included. The specific guide may vary by departure.

Can weather cancel the ropeway?

Yes. Ropeway operations may be canceled because of weather. The tour information states that there is no refund if the ropeway is canceled after the tour has started.

Is there a toilet on the bus?

No. There is no toilet on the bus, so use facilities during stops.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children aged zero to three can join free if they do not occupy a separate seat. Children aged four and older pay the adult rate. Child seats are not available.