Hokkaido Winter Limited: Asahiyama Zoo & Shirogane Blue Pond & Shirasu Waterfall & Shikisai-no-Oka (Optional Snowmobile Experience) & Forest Elf Terrace Day Tour

At Asahiyama Zoo, winter brings a chance to watch penguins walk across the snow, a charming glimpse of animal life in Hokkaido’s coldest season. This full-day tour pairs the zoo with snowy Biei sights, including a frozen waterfall, a famous tree and a forest of little wooden cabins.

I like the choice between two routes: one visits the Blue Pond and Shirahige Waterfall, while the other adds Shikisai-no-Oka and optional snowmobiling. I also like that transport and zoo admission are included, which saves you from sorting out several far-flung stops by bus in winter.

The trade-off is time. You cover a lot of ground in one day, so most stops are brief, and snow, traffic or closures can change the plan. This suits you if you want a sampler of Hokkaido’s winter sights, not a slow visit to each one.

• Penguin Walk, weather permitting: Spend about two hours at Asahiyama Zoo, with a chance to see its winter penguin walk.
• Two routes, different priorities: The classic route visits Shirahige Waterfall and the Blue Pond. The fun route visits Shikisai-no-Oka, where you can pay extra to try a snowmobile.
• A photo stop from the bus: Ken & Mary Tree is a drive-by sight, not a place to explore on foot.
• Brief visits in the snow: The listed stops at the waterfall and pond are about 20 minutes each, so allow for walking time over icy ground.
• Guides can add useful context: Guides named Sunny, Ah Yun, Zooe and Mr Hong have led departures, with language service in English and Chinese.
• Prepare for a long winter day: Bring warm clothes, non-slip footwear, snacks and a power bank. Meals and insurance are not included.

Start with the route that fits your day

1 / 10

2 / 10

3 / 10

4 / 10

5 / 10

6 / 10

7 / 10

8 / 10

9 / 10

10 / 10

1 / 10

Both routes begin at Asahiyama Zoo and include a drive-by view of Ken & Mary Tree and a visit to Forest Elf Terrace, also called Ningle Terrace. The main difference is what you see in Biei: the classic popular check-in route visits Shirahige Waterfall and the Blue Pond, while the fun play route stops at Shikisai-no-Oka instead. Snowmobiling there is optional and costs extra.

There are a couple of exceptions. On a national holiday, the fun route may visit Takushinkan instead of Ningle Terrace. If Ningle Terrace is closed, Takushinkan may also replace it on the classic route. Weather, road conditions and facility closures can lead to further changes, so treat the route as a plan rather than a guarantee.

Choose the classic route if the waterfall and Blue Pond matter most to you. Choose the fun route if you would rather see a wide snowy field and may want to add a snowmobile ride. The two packages have different prices: the listed starting price is $50.49, while the named package options start at $63.09 for the classic route and $84.09 for the fun route. Prices can vary, so check the exact option and date before booking.

Asahiyama Zoo: the day’s main event

The first major stop is Asahiyama Zoo, Japan’s northernmost zoo. You have about two hours to explore on your own, and the winter highlight is the Penguin Walk, when penguins exercise outdoors in the snow. This is a natural activity, not a staged performance, and the zoo can cancel it in extreme weather.

Two hours gives you time to see part of the zoo, but it is not enough to linger everywhere. Decide what you most want to see, and check the zoo map when you arrive. The tour includes zoo admission, but meals and drinks are on you. A small snack can help if you prefer not to spend your limited visit finding food.

The zoo is listed as closed December 30 and 31, and January 1, 2027. Check your travel date carefully, especially around the year-end holiday period.

Ken & Mary Tree: a view from the bus

After the zoo, the bus passes Ken & Mary Tree, a lone tree made especially striking by the broad white fields around it. It is a familiar Hokkaido photo subject, but this tour offers only a drive-by view, with about ten minutes listed for the stop.

That distinction matters. You may get a good look from the vehicle, but you should not expect time to walk around the field or compose several photos. Think of it as a brief scenic pause between longer stretches of road, not a full attraction stop.

Waterfall and pond: beautiful, but brief

On the classic route, Shirahige Waterfall is scheduled for about 20 minutes. Water pours through the rock into the river below, and in winter the surrounding ice can take on a blue cast. It is a distinctive cold-weather sight, though the short visit leaves little time to wander or wait for the best light.

The Blue Pond is also scheduled for about 20 minutes. In winter, snow can cover the surface, and the pond may be partly or fully frozen. That can make the scene quiet and spare, but it also means you may not see the blue water that gives the place its name. If the pond’s vivid color is your main reason for choosing the classic route, winter conditions are a real gamble.

At both stops, walking over snow and ice takes longer than walking on a clear path. Wear boots with good grip, move carefully and be ready to return to the bus on time. The schedule does not leave room for an extended visit if the ground is slippery or you want to take many pictures.

Shikisai-no-Oka: snowfield with an optional ride

The fun route trades the waterfall and pond for Shikisai-no-Oka. In winter, the rolling grounds are covered in snow, offering open views across the white fields. It is a different kind of stop from the water and ice scenery: more space, more sky and the option to add a snowmobile experience at your own expense.

That activity is optional, not part of the included tour price. If you want to ride, check the cost and any conditions before you go, and consider whether you are comfortable with an outdoor activity in cold weather. If you would rather keep the day simple, you can enjoy the snowy setting without making the extra purchase.

This route is a better match if you value the chance to do something active over seeing both Biei’s waterfall and pond. It also gives you a reason to compare package prices carefully: the fun option costs more, and the snowmobile is an additional expense.

Ningle Terrace: cabins in the forest

Forest Elf Terrace, commonly called Ningle Terrace, is a group of small wooden cabins in a forest setting. In winter, the snow-covered cabins give the place a storybook look, and the contrast with the open fields earlier in the day makes this a welcome change of scene.

The scheduled visit is about 30 minutes. That is enough for a short walk and a look around, but not a leisurely browse if the paths are busy or snow slows your steps. The terrace may be replaced by Takushinkan if it is closed; the fun route may also switch to Takushinkan on a national holiday.

Long drives make this a fast-paced day

The tour runs from an early morning departure to an expected return around 17:30 or 17:50, depending on the stated return point. Exact travel times can shift with snow, traffic and road closures. The drive between Sapporo and the attractions is a large part of the day, which is why stops feel short even when the schedule looks full.

That transport is also the tour’s main value. Reaching the zoo, Biei, the pond and waterfall independently in one winter day would mean arranging several connections and watching a tight timetable. A group bus takes that planning off your hands, but you give up flexibility: the group leaves on schedule, and you cannot join late or leave partway through and expect a refund.

The tour is available from Sapporo, Furano and Asahikawa, but the meeting and return arrangements vary. The details supplied include a departure around 07:50 or 08:00, and return points at JR Sapporo Station North Exit Bus Terminal and Odori Park Subway Station Exit 31. Confirm your exact meeting point, time and return location in the message sent before departure. Arrive ten minutes early; the bus does not wait for late arrivals.

What the price covers, and what it does not

The tour includes round-trip transfers from the stated meeting point, admission to Asahiyama Zoo, and an English- or Chinese-speaking guide. You pay separately for meals, drinks, personal expenses, insurance and any snowmobile ride. Luggage storage and delivery are not provided, so this is not a convenient choice if you need to bring suitcases.

For a day with several distant stops, the included transport is a practical benefit, especially in winter. The price is less compelling if you want long visits, plan to skip several stops or hope to see the Blue Pond at its brightest. Compare the route and package price, then decide whether convenience or time at each attraction matters more to you.

The group vehicle is assigned according to the number of participants, and seats are allocated on a first-come basis. Specific vehicle models cannot be requested. A smaller group may have a driver-guide, whose commentary can be shorter than that of a dedicated guide. Children count toward the passenger total, must be at least two years old, and participants must be under 70. Child seats are not available.

Guides, weather and a little winter discipline

Guide assignments vary, but guides named on departures include Sunny, Ah Yun, Zooe and Mr Hong. A good guide can make the long ride more useful with explanations and help keep a multilingual group organized. Still, the experience depends partly on the individual guide and the group’s punctuality. Keep an eye on the meeting time at each stop; late departures eat into everyone’s sightseeing.

Winter conditions are not a minor footnote here. Wear warm layers and non-slip shoes, and bring a power bank and light snacks. Snow and ice can slow your walk, while severe weather, highway closures or restricted access may lead to changed stops or a shortened route. The tour can be cancelled for extreme weather or if fewer than four people book; in those cases, you can be offered a rescheduled tour or refund. Once the trip has begun, a forced suspension due to a natural disaster or other force majeure may leave you responsible for extra return or accommodation costs.

For a booking that allows changes, changes are permitted up to 24 hours before the activity starts, subject to stated exceptions. A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date. Check the specific conditions attached to your booking before paying.

Should you book this Hokkaido winter tour?

Book it if you want to see several winter sights without arranging regional transport, and you are comfortable with a full day on the road and short visits. The classic route gives you the waterfall and pond; the fun route offers Shikisai-no-Oka and optional snowmobiling. Both include the zoo, where the Penguin Walk is a memorable possibility, not a promise.

Skip it if you want to spend a long time at each stop, need guaranteed access to a particular attraction or dislike strict group timings. For the best day, choose your route for what you most want to see, pack for ice and cold, and leave your evening plans flexible in case roads slow the return.

FAQ

Is the Penguin Walk guaranteed?

No. It is a natural exercise for the penguins, not a performance, and the zoo may cancel it because of extreme weather or other circumstances.

Which attractions are on the classic route?

The classic route visits Asahiyama Zoo, passes Ken & Mary Tree by bus, then visits Shirahige Waterfall, the Blue Pond and Ningle Terrace. Takushinkan may replace Ningle Terrace if it is closed.

What does the fun route include?

It includes Asahiyama Zoo, a drive-by view of Ken & Mary Tree, Shikisai-no-Oka and Ningle Terrace. Snowmobiling at Shikisai-no-Oka is optional and costs extra. On a national holiday, Takushinkan may replace Ningle Terrace.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Meals and beverages are not included, so bring snacks or plan to buy food during the day.

Where does the tour depart from?

The activity information lists departures from Sapporo, Furano and Asahikawa. Meeting arrangements vary, so check the pre-trip message for your exact time and location.

What should I wear?

Bring warm clothing and non-slip shoes or snow boots. Roads and paths can be slippery and heavily covered with snow in winter.