Asahiyama Zoo & Biei Blue Pond & Shirogane Falls or Farm Tomita Day Trip (Departing from Sapporo, Hokkaido, includes original souvenir)

Asahiyama Zoo and Biei’s blue water make an appealing pair, but getting between them by public transport takes planning. This 10.5-hour day trip from Sapporo connects the zoo with the countryside around Biei, then returns you to the city in the evening.

I like two things in particular: the route reaches remote sights without asking you to rent a car, and the seasonal stop gives the day a different character in summer and winter. Guides such as Yagyu, Vivi and Oscar have been praised for clear multilingual explanations and careful timekeeping.

The trade-off is time. The zoo gets about two hours, including your own lunch, and the short photo stops can feel brisk. This is a sampler of Hokkaido’s central countryside, not a slow visit to any one place.

At a glance

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• Asahiyama Zoo gets two hours: That includes time for lunch, so decide which animals you most want to see before you arrive.
• The summer route changes by date: From July 1 to September 15, Farm Tomita replaces Shirohige Falls.
• Biei’s roadside trees are brief stops: You see Patchwork Road and the Tree of Ken and Mary from the vehicle, with about 15 minutes at Seven Stars Tree.
• Blue Pond is a summer stop: It is not included in the winter itinerary.
• Transport and an original souvenir are included: Meals, drinks and personal purchases are not.
• The listed starting price is $47.39: The actual value depends on how much you want to cover in one day and the price shown for your date and package.

What the day trip can fit into one day

The appeal is simple: Asahiyama Zoo, Biei’s rolling farm country, a famous tree or two, and either a waterfall or flower fields, all on one outing from Sapporo. These places are spread out, and public transport can turn visits into separate excursions. A bus or van links them in a single loop, with a guide handling the timing and meeting points.

That convenience comes with a firm schedule. The day runs roughly from 07:40 to 18:00, though the exact meeting and return arrangements can vary. Listed morning meeting times are 07:40 and 07:50. The return points are Sapporo TV Tower, around 18:00, or Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel, around 18:10. The actual arrival time depends on road and weather conditions.

The group may travel in a bus, small bus or Hiace van. Some departures have a professional guide; when the vehicle is a Hiace or small bus, the driver may provide basic English or Chinese commentary instead. Guide languages are listed as English, Chinese and Japanese, but the exact arrangement can vary. Recent guide names include Yagyu, Vivi, Oscar, Ken and Onodera, so the person leading your trip will not necessarily be the same each time.

Asahiyama Zoo: plan your two hours

The zoo is the day’s main stop, and admission is included. Asahiyama is known for displays designed to bring animals’ behavior into view, with penguins and polar bears among the popular draws. The experience is less about ticking off every enclosure and more about choosing a few exhibits and watching the animals closely.

You have about 120 minutes here, including a self-funded lunch. That is enough for a focused visit, but the zoo is large, and it is not enough to see everything at an easy pace. If the penguins or polar bears are a priority, head for them early rather than wandering without a plan. Animal shows depend on the zoo’s daily conditions and can change without notice.

Lunch is not included, despite the tour’s general description of a buffet meal. Treat the stop as a chance to buy food at your own expense, and protect enough time to eat without losing the visit you came for. One useful approach is to decide in advance whether animals or lunch matter more, then keep an eye on the departure time. The bus will leave on schedule.

Families may find the zoo a highlight, especially because the exhibits offer close views of animals. But the tight window can be hard for children, older adults or anyone who prefers a slower pace. If the zoo is your top reason for visiting Hokkaido, a separate full-day visit will give you more room. This tour makes better sense if you want the zoo as one part of a varied day.

Biei from the bus window

After the zoo, the route crosses Biei’s Patchwork Road, a stretch of rural scenery known for its changing fields and open views. The tour treats this as a drive-through sight, not a series of stops. That is useful context: the countryside is part of the trip, but you should not expect time to walk among the fields or choose your own photo locations.

The Tree of Ken and Mary is also viewed from the vehicle. Its fame comes from its distinctive presence in the countryside and its connection with a Japanese advertising campaign. You get the quick look and the guide’s explanation, rather than a long visit. If you enjoy photographing rural details, keep your camera ready as the bus passes.

Seven Stars Tree gets a short stop of about 15 minutes. The tree is a familiar Biei photo subject, set against the area’s open farmland. That pause gives you time for a few pictures and a quick look around, but not a leisurely walk. Some people may find the tree stops less rewarding than the zoo, waterfall or pond; they are best seen as brief pauses that break up the drive and show off the region’s broad views.

Shirohige Falls or Farm Tomita

The seasonal choice changes the afternoon. Outside the July 1 to September 15 window, the summer plan includes Shirohige Falls. During that period, the tour visits Farm Tomita instead, for about 60 minutes, and skips the waterfall. Check the package and date carefully before booking, because these are not two stops you get to choose between on the day.

Shirohige Falls is a short stop, listed at about 20 minutes. The water drops through the rocky gorge into the river below, making this a quick nature visit rather than a long walk. Weather, traffic and the number of people on the trip can affect how much time you actually get.

Farm Tomita brings flower fields and a more distinctly summer mood. Lavender usually blooms from late June to early August, but the timing shifts with weather and growing conditions. A visit in the middle of that window may bring the classic purple rows; outside it, other flowers may be blooming, or some varieties may not be at their best. The tour does not promise a particular flower display, and there is no refund if seasonal blooms are limited.

An hour at the farm is enough for a look around and a few purchases, but it may feel short when the grounds are busy. Lavender ice cream is a popular treat there, and melon products are another tempting stop, though you will need to manage your own time and spending. If flowers are your main reason for coming, a dedicated Furano visit will offer more flexibility.

Blue Pond: the afternoon photo stop

Shirogane Blue Pond is the day’s signature photo stop. Its striking blue color and the bare trunks rising from the water make it unlike an ordinary pond. You get about 30 minutes, enough to walk to a viewpoint, take pictures and pause to look at the water, but not to linger.

Light, weather and the season affect the colors in your photos. The place can also be busy, so be patient if the best angle is crowded. Small insects have been noticeable at the pond at times, another reason to bring practical outdoor clothing rather than treating this as a polished garden visit.

The biggest seasonal caveat is important: Blue Pond is not part of the winter tour. The winter packages follow different plans, including a classic Biei option and a version with an optional snowmobile. The available details do not specify the full winter route, so do not assume the summer stops carry over.

What the $47.39 starting price buys

At the advertised starting price of $47.39, the tour can be strong value if you want to combine distant sights without arranging transport yourself. Zoo admission and round-trip transfers are included, as is an original souvenir. You also get a guide or basic commentary, depending on the vehicle and departure arrangement. Meals, drinks and other personal expenses are extra.

The real value is the time and effort saved. Reaching Asahiyama Zoo, Biei and the seasonal afternoon stop independently from Sapporo involves long distances and careful connections. Here, you board once, follow a set route and let the driver handle the roads. For someone without a rental car, that may be the difference between seeing several highlights and choosing just one.

But the low starting price does not buy a private or leisurely tour. The vehicle can vary in size, and a smaller van may feel cramped on a long day. Most available feedback describes comfortable transport and smooth coordination, but some people have complained about fast driving, bumpy roads or uncomfortable seats. If you are sensitive to motion or need extra room, keep that possibility in mind.

The schedule also leaves little room for detours. Traffic or poor weather can alter the order, reduce stop times or delay the return. Some attractions may be skipped because of capacity, closures or conditions. Avoid booking a dinner, onward train or flight too close to the estimated arrival. The operator specifically advises against tight same-day connections.

How to make the day go well

Arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes early. A staff member waits with a white EasyGO sign, so you do not need to search the road for the vehicle. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable, and the bus departs on time.

Bring a plan for the zoo. Pick the animals you care about most, remember lunch comes out of your two-hour visit, and note the departure time. On the Biei stops, have your camera ready before the bus pulls in, because some pauses are short.

Dress for a day outdoors and changing conditions. Weather can affect both the views and the schedule, while flower displays vary with the season. If you are booking Farm Tomita for lavender, late June to early August is the usual bloom period, not a guarantee for a particular date.

The tour has a 4.6 out of 5 rating across 5,811 reviews, and the broader provider has a 92 percent good review rate. The most consistent strengths are convenience, guide care and the ability to cover remote sights in one day. Guides such as Yagyu and Vivi have been praised for sharing practical tips and explaining the route in several languages; some have helped with photos and kept large groups on schedule. Still, guide quality and vehicle type can vary by departure.

Should you book this Sapporo day trip?

Book it if you want a practical first look at Asahiyama Zoo and Biei, do not plan to rent a car, and are happy with short stops and a full day on the road. The mix of animals, countryside and a seasonal attraction offers more variety than a zoo-only outing, and the included transport makes the remote locations manageable.

Choose another plan if you want a full day at the zoo, time to explore Biei on foot, or a guaranteed Blue Pond visit in winter. For most people weighing convenience against depth, this is a good-value sampler. Go in with a short must-see list, allow for traffic, and the long ride becomes part of the day rather than a surprise.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The day runs from around 07:40 to about 18:00. The schedule can change because of traffic, weather, group size or attraction conditions, so the return may be delayed.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included. The zoo stop lasts about two hours, and that time includes your self-funded lunch.

Which stops are included in summer?

The summer route includes Asahiyama Zoo, Biei’s Patchwork Road, Seven Stars Tree, the Tree of Ken and Mary, Blue Pond, and either Shirohige Falls or Farm Tomita. From July 1 to September 15, Farm Tomita replaces Shirohige Falls.

Is Blue Pond included in the winter tour?

No. Blue Pond is available only on the summer itinerary.

Is admission to Asahiyama Zoo included?

Yes. Admission to Asahiyama Zoo is included in the tour price.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour lists English, Chinese and Japanese or Mandarin-speaking guide service. If the vehicle is a Hiace van or small bus, the driver may provide basic English or Chinese commentary instead of a professional guide.

Can I cancel for a refund?

A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, in destination local time. Changes and exceptions can depend on how the booking was made and whether the voucher has been issued.