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

Hokkaido’s grand scale is the point here: in one long day, you trade Sapporo streets for Asahiyama Zoo, Biei’s rolling farm country, and the striking blue water of Shirogane Blue Pond. The stops are far apart, so having a bus and driver do the connecting work makes this a practical way to see the region without renting a car.

I like two things in particular: the mix of wildlife and open-country scenery gives the day a welcome change of pace, and the guides often make the long ride useful with multilingual explanations and tips for getting around each stop. Names such as Yagyu, Vivi, Ken, and Oscar appear among the guides, but who leads your departure can vary.

The tradeoff is time. Two hours at the zoo is enough to see some highlights, but not enough to explore every corner at a leisurely pace, and the short photo stops can feel brief. This is a sampler of Hokkaido, not a slow visit to any one place.

The day at a glance

• Asahiyama Zoo gets the largest stop: You have about two hours, including time to find and pay for lunch.
• Biei’s famous trees are quick roadside visits: Seven Stars Tree gets about 15 minutes; Ken and Mary Tree is viewed from the vehicle.
• The summer route changes with the season: From July 1 to September 15, the tour visits Farm Tomita instead of Shirahige Falls.
• Blue Pond is a summer stop only: The winter packages do not include it.
• Transport is the main value: Round-trip transfers link remote places that are difficult to combine by public transport in one day.
• Plan for a long day and variable return: Departure is around 7:40 or 7:50, with arrival back in Sapporo expected around 18:00 or 18:10, subject to conditions.

Why this route works from Sapporo

Biei and Asahiyama Zoo sit well beyond an easy city outing. Putting them together independently means arranging transport between separate rural sights, watching train and bus connections, and allowing for the time it takes to get around. This tour turns those logistics into one fixed day, with a driver handling the long stretches while you watch Hokkaido roll past the windows.

That convenience matters most if you do not plan to drive. The stops are varied enough to keep the day from becoming one long zoo visit: animals in the morning, open farmland and landmark trees around Biei, then water and either a waterfall or flower fields, depending on the season.

The cost begins at $47.39, with zoo admission and round-trip transport included. The guide service is offered in English, Chinese, Japanese, or Mandarin, though the languages available and the type of commentary can depend on the vehicle and staff assigned. A small original souvenir is also included. Meals and drinks are not, so treat lunch as an extra expense, not part of the fare.

For the price, I see the strongest value in reaching several distant stops without a rental car. You are paying for coverage and simplicity rather than long, unhurried visits. If you already have a car and prefer to linger, independent travel may suit you better.

Asahiyama Zoo: choose your priorities early

The zoo is the anchor of the day. Its exhibits are designed to let you observe animal behavior from distinctive angles, and the star attractions include penguins and polar bears. Small animals are also part of the experience, with opportunities to get a closer look than you might expect at a conventional zoo.

You get about 120 minutes, and that includes time for a self-funded lunch. The grounds are large, so you will need to make choices. Before setting off, decide which animals matter most to you and follow the zoo’s map toward those exhibits first. If you try to see everything, the clock will beat you.

Lunch is not included, despite the tour overview’s mention of a buffet. The practical detail is that you have time to buy food at the zoo, but that time comes out of the same two-hour stop. If you are a slow eater, travelling with children, or keen to see a particular animal area, keep lunch simple and leave room for walking.

Animal presentations and show times depend on the zoo’s daily conditions and can change without notice. That makes it wise to treat any one show as a bonus rather than the whole reason for choosing the visit. The zoo is also a place where a guide’s quick pointers can help: guides such as Ken and Yagyu have been praised for explaining the highlights and suggesting efficient routes.

Still, this stop can feel tight. If your main reason for coming to Hokkaido is the zoo, give it a day of its own. This tour makes more sense if you want an introduction to the zoo plus a broad look at Biei.

Biei’s trees and patchwork fields

After the zoo, the road heads through Biei’s well-known countryside. Patchwork Road is mainly a view from the bus window, not a long walking stop. Its appeal is the sweep of cultivated fields and changing colors across the hills, with the scenery doing the work while you rest between attractions.

Seven Stars Tree gets a short stop of about 15 minutes. It is a familiar photo subject, but the visit is brief by design: you can stretch your legs, take a few pictures, and get back on board. Ken and Mary Tree is viewed from the vehicle, so do not expect a separate walk or extended photo session there.

These tree stops are attractive, but they are not everyone’s priority. If you would rather spend more time at the zoo or Blue Pond, the photo breaks may seem like time taken from the bigger attractions. I would treat them as quick glimpses of Biei’s agricultural scenery, not as destinations that need a long visit.

Shirahige Falls or Farm Tomita

The seasonal stop changes the character of the afternoon. Outside the July 1 to September 15 period, the summer plan visits Shirahige Falls, with roughly 20 minutes allocated. The falls are known for water flowing into the river below, and the short visit gives you time to look and take photos. Weather, traffic, and the day’s running time can affect how much time you actually get.

From July 1 through September 15, the tour visits Farm Tomita instead, with about 60 minutes there. This is the flower-field version of the route, and it is especially appealing when lavender is in bloom. Lavender usually flowers from late June to early August, but the timing shifts with the year’s weather and growing conditions. A July visit improves your chances, not guarantees them.

Farm Tomita can be busy, and an hour goes quickly if you want to see the fields, browse, and stop for a snack. Lavender ice cream is a tempting seasonal treat, but leave enough time to return to the meeting point. Flower varieties and bloom conditions can change, and a particular flower may not be in bloom on your date.

The choice is not simply between a waterfall and flowers. It is between two different seasonal versions of Hokkaido: a short natural stop or a longer visit to a flower farm. Check the date-specific package before booking so you know which one to expect.

Shirogane Blue Pond: a short stop with a distinct color

Blue Pond is the image many people have in mind when booking this route. Its unusual blue appearance makes it a popular photography stop, and you get around 30 minutes to see the water and take pictures. The color can look different with the weather and light, so the real scene may not match every photograph you have seen.

The stop is brief, but the pond is compact enough for a short visit to make sense. Take your pictures, enjoy the setting, and keep an eye on the return time. Small bugs have been noticeable at the pond at some times of year, so you may want to be prepared for them rather than letting them surprise you.

One important seasonal point: Blue Pond is not included in the winter tours. The package options include a winter classic tour and a winter plan with an optional snowmobile, but the Blue Pond belongs to the summer route. If the pond is the main reason for booking, choose the summer package and confirm its stops for your date.

The bus ride, guide, and pace

The tour runs for about 10.5 hours, leaving Sapporo in the morning and returning around early evening. The ride is a substantial part of the day, but it is also what makes the route possible without a car. In larger vehicles, you may have a tour guide; in a Hiace van or small bus, the driver may provide basic English or Chinese commentary instead of a separate professional guide.

Guides vary by departure. Names that have come up include Yagyu, Vivi, Ken, Oscar, and others. Some guides speak several languages and share local context, food tips, and practical instructions; some have also helped with photos and with keeping groups on time. Do not assume a particular guide or language combination will be assigned.

Most days, the group needs to keep to set meeting times so the bus can cover a lot of ground. That structure helps the day run smoothly, but it also means little flexibility if you want to stay longer at one stop. The schedule can change with traffic, weather, group size, or closures, and some attractions may be omitted. The return time is an estimate, not a promise.

Comfort can depend on the vehicle. Many departures use buses or minibuses, but the exact size is not guaranteed. A small van can feel less spacious on a long, bumpy road, especially for children and older people. If motion or road comfort is a concern, keep that in mind when deciding whether a full-day group trip suits you.

Price, meals, and practical planning

At a starting price of $47.39, the tour can be a strong deal if you value transport to remote stops and want to cover several sights in one day. Admission to Asahiyama Zoo and transfers from the meeting point are included. Food, drinks, and personal purchases are extra, and you should budget accordingly.

The meeting instructions list departures at 7:40 and 7:50. A staff member waits at the designated spot with a white EasyGO sign, so check your voucher for the correct time and location rather than trying to identify a vehicle on the street. Arrive at least 10 minutes early. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.

The return is listed at Sapporo TV Tower or Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel, at approximately 18:00 or 18:10. The actual arrival depends on conditions. Avoid booking dinner, another timed activity, or a same-day flight too close to the expected return. Traffic or bad weather can delay the bus, and the operator does not cover missed onward plans.

Children aged 0 to 2 can join free if they do not need their own seat. If a child needs a separate seat, this free-child condition does not apply. Bring your mobile voucher for use on the specified date.

Who should book this Hokkaido day trip?

I would book this if you are staying in Sapporo, do not want to drive, and want a broad introduction to central Hokkaido in one day. It is particularly useful for solo visitors and families who would rather leave rural transport and navigation to someone else. You get a memorable mix of animals, countryside, and seasonal scenery without having to stitch together several connections.

I would skip it if you want to spend a full day at Asahiyama Zoo, take your time at Farm Tomita, or make long photo stops. The fixed timetable is the price of seeing several far-flung places in one day. For most people without a car, though, that trade is fair: bring snacks, choose your zoo priorities, and leave your evening plans flexible.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It lasts about 10.5 hours. Departure is around 7:40 or 7:50, and the return to Sapporo is expected around 18:00 or 18:10, depending on traffic and weather.

Is Asahiyama Zoo admission included?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Meals and drinks are not included. The zoo stop allows about two hours, including time for a self-funded lunch.

Does the tour visit Farm Tomita or Shirahige Falls?

From July 1 to September 15, the summer plan visits Farm Tomita for about 60 minutes instead of Shirahige Falls. At other times, the plan lists Shirahige Falls, with about 20 minutes there.

Is Blue Pond included in the winter tour?

No. Blue Pond is only included in the summer itinerary. The winter packages do not visit it.

What languages are available?

The tour offers English, Chinese, Japanese, or Mandarin-speaking guide service. On some trips using a Hiace van or small bus, the driver provides basic English or Chinese commentary rather than a professional guide.

Can children aged 0 to 2 join for free?

Yes, if they do not occupy a separate seat.

Can I cancel for a refund?

A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using the destination’s local time.