The day’s star turn is a line of king penguins waddling through the snow at Asahiyama Zoo. If you visit in winter, this is the moment the whole schedule is built around, and the drive from Sapporo buys you a chance to see it without taking the wheel on icy Hokkaido roads.
I like two things about this trip: zoo admission is included with the main bus package, and the route links the penguin walk with Biei’s Blue Pond and ice-covered Shirahige Falls. The smaller vehicle options can also make a long day feel less like a coach outing, though their inclusions differ.
The trade-off is time. You get about 1 hour 40 minutes at the zoo and brief stops at the other sights, while winter roads and access limits can change the plan. Treat this as a sampler, not a slow visit.
- Penguin walk, if the season and snow cooperate: It usually begins in mid-December, with the zoo’s walk scheduled for 11:00.
- A winter route through Biei: See the Blue Pond, Shirahige Falls and, when tour buses are admitted, Ningle Terrace.
- Admission depends on the package: The main A-Line bus tour includes the zoo ticket; the private and small-group options listed do not.
- Transport from Sapporo is the main convenience: The day starts at 7:50 and returns around 18:30, with the driver handling the long winter journey.
- Small-group comfort comes at a higher price: Options for up to nine people start above the main bus fare and may offer hotel pickup.
- Plan for cold, short stops: Warm layers and boots with good grip matter more than a polished photo outfit.
- The penguin walk sets the winter day’s pace
- A long ride from Sapporo, made easier by a driver
- What the brief stops in Biei can show you
- Ningle Terrace is a bonus, not a promise
- Choose the package by its inclusions, not its title
- Winter clothing and timing are part of the booking decision
- The summer description is a different kind of day
- Is this Sapporo day trip worth booking?
- FAQ
- Does the main bus tour include Asahiyama Zoo admission?
- When does the penguin walk take place?
- Where and when does the tour depart?
- When does the tour return?
- Is Ningle Terrace guaranteed?
- Are meals included?
- What should I wear in winter?
- Is the tour suitable for strollers or wheelchairs?
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The penguin walk sets the winter day’s pace
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8 / 8Asahiyama Zoo’s penguin walk is the reason to choose this trip in winter. King penguins march together over the snow, a simple scene with more charm than spectacle. It is also seasonal: the walk usually starts in mid-December, depending on snow depth, so an early winter booking does not guarantee you will see it.
The walk is scheduled for 11:00, and the tour visits the zoo first. You have about 1 hour 40 minutes there, which makes timing important. The zoo is known for its polar bears and seals as well as its penguins, but you should decide in advance what you most want to see. Trying to cover the entire zoo at a relaxed pace is unlikely in the time available.
A few people have found this stop rushed, especially when the zoo is crowded. I’d head for the penguin walk first, then choose one or two other exhibits rather than racing from one end of the grounds to the other. The walk is a seasonal highlight, not a reason to expect a full-day zoo visit.
A long ride from Sapporo, made easier by a driver
The tour leaves Sapporo at 7:50 and is scheduled to return around 18:30. That is a full day, with substantial road time between the city, Asahikawa and Biei. You avoid arranging separate trains, local transfers and winter driving, which is a meaningful advantage when snow and ice are part of the trip.
Driving safety comes up repeatedly in accounts of the tour. Names attached to different departures include Ah Yang, Da Zhuang, Mr. Oda and Tao, but you should not assume any one of them will be your driver. The useful point is that drivers have been praised for careful handling of snowy roads and for keeping the day moving, even when weather or traffic makes that harder.
Vehicle size depends on the package and the number of bookings. A small-group departure may use a minivan, while the bus option can carry up to 49 passengers, excluding the driver. A minivan can feel more comfortable and personal, but one account noted that eating was not allowed in the van. Don’t assume that every departure uses a full-size coach or offers the same onboard rules.
The day’s tight schedule also means you should use restroom opportunities when they come. A long stretch without a stop can be uncomfortable, and the tour details do not promise regular toilet breaks. Bring a drink and a small snack, but don’t count on a dedicated lunch break.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Asahikawa.
What the brief stops in Biei can show you
After the zoo, the route continues to the Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls, with around 20 minutes at each. These are short photo and viewing stops, not long walks. In winter, the frozen water and snow give the sights a different character from the green, flower-filled Biei often shown in summer.
The Blue Pond formed after Mount Tokachi erupted in 1988 and work was done to control water flow. Minerals in the water, including colloidal aluminum hydroxide, contribute to its blue-green hues. The shade can vary with conditions, and in winter snow and ice may change what you see. Allow time to take in the view, but don’t expect a long visit along the pond’s paths.
Shirahige Falls has water running down in narrow streams that resemble white whiskers, which inspired its name. In winter, parts of the falls become an icefall. It’s a striking contrast to the pond, but the stop is brief, so you’ll want warm gloves that let you handle a phone or camera without exposing your hands for long.
The route’s value lies in seeing several distinct places in one day, rather than lingering at any one of them. If you want to spend an hour walking beside the pond or composing photos at the falls, a tightly timed group tour may frustrate you. If your goal is to get a first look at Biei without renting a car, the quick stops make practical sense.
Ningle Terrace is a bonus, not a promise
Ningle Terrace is a cluster of wooden cabins in the forest. In winter, warm lights against the snow give it a storybook feel, and a 30-minute visit leaves time for a look around. It is the most atmospheric stop on the route, but access for tour buses can be restricted by daily visitor limits.
If the bus cannot enter, the tour may switch to Shikisai-no-Oka or Chiyoda Farm without advance notice. The replacement changes the feel of the day, and it may not be an equal substitute if Ningle Terrace is your main reason for booking. The tour information specifically advises choosing the small-group car option if you must visit Ningle Terrace, but even then, check the package details rather than assuming access is guaranteed.
Some winter departures have substituted a farm stop where snowmobile rides were available for an extra charge. One account described the ride as costly for a short session, while free sledging was available there. Treat paid activities as optional add-ons, not part of the tour price, and bring cash if you plan to take part, as one departure accepted cash only.
Choose the package by its inclusions, not its title
The lowest listed price is US$47.40 for the Asahiyama Zoo and Forest Terrace A-Line bus tour. It includes zoo admission, round-trip transport from the meeting point, tolls, parking, fuel and an English- or Chinese-speaking guide. That is solid value if you want the main winter sights without organizing transport yourself.
The other choices cost more but change the setup. A private group for up to nine people with hotel pickup starts at US$79, while a small group meeting at Sapporo Station starts at US$71.10. The listed private and small-group packages do not include zoo admission, so add that expense when comparing prices. The private option is described as Chinese service only.
There is some variation in how the guide service is presented. The main bus package is described as bilingual, while broader tour information also refers to Chinese, English and Japanese. Small-group options may have a driver who gives practical introductions rather than a separate professional guide. If commentary in a particular language matters to you, confirm the exact package before paying.
A group of four to nine can be a good middle ground: more personal than a large coach, without the cost of arranging a private vehicle for just your party. But small does not mean every stop becomes flexible. The day still has to cover long distances and a set list of sights.
Winter clothing and timing are part of the booking decision
Hokkaido roads can be snowy and icy, and the schedule may shift with weather or traffic. Wear warm layers and anti-slip snow boots. You’ll be stepping out briefly into cold conditions, and slippery footwear can turn a quick photo stop into an awkward one.
Arrive at the Sapporo Station North Exit meeting point at least 10 minutes before the 7:50 departure. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable, and the tour’s terms say refunds are not available if you are at least five minutes late. Keep the meeting point and time easy to find before the morning rush.
The activity is not wheelchair-accessible or stroller-friendly, and child seats are not available. Children aged 0 to 2 can join free if they do not need a separate seat. The activity is prohibited for pregnant women. These details matter when choosing between a compact day tour and a plan with more room to adjust.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Asahikawa
The summer description is a different kind of day
The tour information also describes a summer outing to Asahiyama Zoo and Biei, with Shikisai-no-Oka flower fields in place of winter sights such as Ningle Terrace and the snow-covered Blue Pond. That is a different seasonal experience, not a promise that the winter route includes flower fields.
If you are booking for summer, check the selected date and package carefully. The winter highlights, especially the penguin walk and icefall, are seasonal. Conversely, the winter route does not offer the colorful flower fields described for the summer tour. Match the package to the season you want, rather than relying on a general tour title.
Is this Sapporo day trip worth booking?
I’d book it if you have limited time, want the penguin walk and Biei’s winter sights in one day, and would rather leave snowy driving to a local driver. The included zoo ticket on the main bus package keeps the value straightforward, and the compact schedule gives you a useful first look at several places.
I’d think twice if you want a long zoo visit, a guaranteed stop at Ningle Terrace, a proper meal break or plenty of time for photography. Check the exact package, confirm whether admission is included, and accept that weather or access restrictions can alter the route. For a winter day out of Sapporo, it’s a practical choice, as long as you’re happy to trade lingering for coverage.
Hokkaido Asahiyama Zoo & Biei One Day Tour | Chinese/English Bilingual Tour Guide + Optional Small Group + Optional Hotel Pick-up
“The itinerary covered everything, transportation was smooth, and the day trip was on time. I would choose this tour again. I recommend it to anyone…”
FAQ
Does the main bus tour include Asahiyama Zoo admission?
Yes. The Asahiyama Zoo and Forest Terrace A-Line bus package includes admission. The private group and small-group packages listed do not, so check your selected option.
When does the penguin walk take place?
The walk is usually scheduled daily at 11:00. It generally begins in mid-December, depending on snow depth at the zoo, so it is not guaranteed early in winter.
Where and when does the tour depart?
The departure point is Sapporo Station North Exit at 7:50. Arrive at least 10 minutes early.
When does the tour return?
The planned return time is around 18:30 at Sapporo Station North Exit. Weather and traffic may affect the schedule.
Is Ningle Terrace guaranteed?
No. If tour buses cannot enter because of daily visitor limits, the stop may change to Shikisai-no-Oka or Chiyoda Farm without advance notice.
Are meals included?
No. Meals and beverages are not included. The tour information does not promise a dedicated lunch break, so bring a snack and use available stops for restroom breaks.
What should I wear in winter?
Wear warm clothing and anti-slip snow boots. Hokkaido roads may be snowy or icy, and the schedule can change with weather and traffic.
Is the tour suitable for strollers or wheelchairs?
No. The activity is not stroller-friendly or wheelchair-accessible, and child seats are not available.
