Winter Small Group Tour: Asahiyama Zoo & Biei Christmas Tree & Shirogane Blue Pond & Ningle Terrace Day Trip | Optional Hotel Pickup

At Asahiyama Zoo, winter brings a penguin walk, seals circling through glass tunnels and raccoons scrambling above your head. Then the day turns to Biei’s snow-covered trees, a waterfall, the Blue Pond and Ningle Terrace, a cluster of small craft shops in the forest.

I like two things here: you get a generous 1 hour 40 minutes at the zoo, and the smaller group options keep the bus to 9 or 13 people. I also like that the stops offer different kinds of winter scenery, from animals up close to snow and water to handmade crafts.

The trade-off is the long day on snowy roads. Stops can be reordered, shortened or skipped for weather, traffic or crowd control, and the zoo’s penguin walk is seasonal and subject to the day’s announcement.

• Penguin walk season: Usually mid-December to early March, but the zoo decides the actual schedule.
• Zoo time: About 1 hour 40 minutes, with the 1,000-yen admission fee paid separately.
• Biei photo stops: A Christmas Tree or other notable tree may be included, with the exact stop subject to conditions.
• Water in winter: Shirahige Falls and the Blue Pond offer two very different settings for snow and water.
• Forest shopping: Ningle Terrace’s small log cabins house crafts such as glasswork, paper goods and lavender items.
• Departure details matter: The group leaves from Exit 31 of Datong Station at 7:40 a.m. Arrive ten minutes early.

From Sapporo to Asahiyama Zoo in the snow

This is a long-distance day out from Sapporo, not a short hop around one town. You leave at 7:40 a.m. and are due back at Datong Station around 6 p.m. The time on the road is part of the bargain: you can reach several widely spaced sights without arranging separate transport or working out a winter driving route yourself.

At Asahiyama Zoo, the draw is the way animal exhibits let you watch from close range. Seals swim through glass columns, raccoons move overhead, and monkeys huddle together for warmth. In winter, the animals’ behavior and the snowy setting give the visit a different feel from a quick look at indoor displays.

The zoo stop lasts about 1 hour 40 minutes. That is a useful stretch of time, but it is not an unhurried visit to every exhibit. Decide what you most want to see before you arrive, and keep an eye on the clock. The group follows fixed stop times, with a maximum five-minute wait if you are late to the meeting point.

The penguin walk is a highlight for many people, but do not build your whole day around it. It generally runs from mid-December to early March, and the zoo’s on-site announcement determines whether it happens on your visit. The tour plans around an 11 a.m. viewing when available, but weather, animal care and the zoo’s schedule can change that plan.

Zoo admission is not included. Budget 1,000 yen per person, in addition to the tour price, and bring money for food and drinks as those are also extra. The outing is best for someone who enjoys watching animals and can make a focused visit work within a set time.

Biei’s Christmas Tree and snow-covered country roads

After the zoo, the tour heads toward Biei, a place known for its open countryside and photogenic trees. One scheduled stop is around 1 p.m. for a notable tree, often referred to as the Biei Christmas Tree. The stop is short, about 20 minutes, so think of it as a chance to take in the view and get a few photos, not a walk through a large attraction.

The exact tree stop can change. If traffic or access restrictions get in the way, the group may go to the Ken and Mary Tree instead. In winter, snow can make these solitary trees striking subjects, but the conditions that make them photogenic can also make access slower. The operator may skip a stop if weather, capacity or road conditions require it.

That flexibility is useful on a winter route, but it means you should not expect a fixed checklist of photo locations. If one particular tree is your main reason for booking, this shared trip may not give you the control you want. If you are happy to see whichever view is practical that day, the stop adds a memorable change of pace after the zoo.

Shirahige Falls and the winter Blue Pond

Shirahige Falls is planned as a short stop of about 20 minutes. Water spills through gaps in the rock in fine white streams, then meets the snow around it. The contrast is the point: a winter waterfall does not need a big torrent to be worth a look. Bring gloves you can manage while using your phone or camera, since you will not have long at the viewpoint.

The Blue Pond is another expected part of the day, with a stop listed at around 40 minutes. Its appearance depends on the season and the day’s conditions, so do not assume the water will match promotional photos exactly. In winter, the surrounding snow changes the scene, and the actual color and visibility can vary.

Timing and access can change the order of the stops. The schedule allows for substitutions, and the operator may shorten or omit attractions when traffic, weather or crowd limits interfere. This is a sensible way to handle a winter outing, but it makes the day less predictable than a private hire.

The product details also refer to Shiraito Falls in one place, while the main stop is named Shirahige Falls. The itinerary identifies Shirahige Falls, so check the final tour message for the day’s exact plan rather than assuming every name refers to the same stop.

Ningle Terrace’s small forest workshops

Ningle Terrace, in Furano, offers a different sort of stop from the waterfall and pond. Its small wooden cabins hold craft shops selling handmade pieces, including glass items, paper crafts, paintings and products made with dried Furano lavender. The cabins are built around a forest setting inspired by a tiny elf character from a novel by Japanese writer So Kuramoto.

This stop is most appealing if you like browsing local crafts and want a quieter contrast to the zoo and roadside photo stops. The goods are described as handmade and specific to the shops, so it is a better place to look for a small memento than a row of standard souvenirs. It is not a guided workshop: the experience is about visiting the cabins and browsing what is for sale.

The schedule provided does not give Ningle Terrace its own clear time slot, even though it is part of the tour’s advertised sights. With several stops and winter road conditions to account for, the group may have to adjust the plan. If this is the one stop you most want, confirm the expected day’s route with the operator before departure.

Small-group transport, with a driver rather than a guide

You can choose a 9-person or 13-person group. Smaller groups can make boarding and coordinating stops easier, though they do not remove the basic limits of a shared trip: everyone follows the same schedule, and the driver cannot wait indefinitely for late arrivals. The tour also notes that Japanese vehicles with officially recognized green plates are used.

Do not book expecting a full-time tour guide to explain every stop. A guide is listed as not included, although the day-before message is supposed to provide the driver or tour contact’s details. A recent passenger described the driver as kind and funny and said the trip was worth it. That is a welcome sign, but there is no named guide or promise of a particular person.

The meeting point is Exit 31 of Datong Station, with departure at 7:40 a.m. Be there by 7:30. The return is scheduled for about 6 p.m. at Datong Station, but weekend, holiday and severe-weather traffic can delay the arrival by two to five hours. Leave your evening plans flexible, especially if you have a dinner booking or a train to catch.

Select packages offer hotel pickup. The available options differ: the 9-person hotel pickup package includes drop-off, while the 13-person option specifies hotel pickup and a return to Datong Station. Read the exact package details before paying so you know where you will be collected and where the day ends.

What the price covers, and what it does not

The displayed starting price is from $69.40, but package prices shown vary by group size and pickup choice. The listed options start at $99.15 for a 13-person group departing from the meeting point, $108.15 for 13 people with hotel pickup and return to Datong, $121.69 for a 9-person meeting-point departure, and $135.19 for 9 people with hotel pickup and drop-off. Prices can vary, so check the total for your date and package.

The fare includes round-trip transport from the meeting point, tolls, parking and fuel. That is meaningful value on a route connecting Sapporo with several places in Asahikawa, Biei and Furano. You avoid arranging a rental car, winter driving and separate transport between stops.

You still need to pay the zoo’s 1,000-yen entry fee, plus meals, drinks and personal purchases. If you buy crafts at Ningle Terrace or lunch along the way, add those costs to your budget. The driver may recommend local food and products, but the tour information says there is no forced purchase.

For the best value, compare the package price with the cost and effort of reaching these stops independently, then decide how much you value a set route. You pay for transport and convenience, not an in-depth guided tour or a guaranteed visit to every named stop.

Practical points before you reserve

The operator sends trip details by email the day before, including meeting time, vehicle plate, and driver or guide contact information. Check your inbox and spam folder, keep your phone available, and join the contact group if you receive a link. The information gives two different email windows, so if nothing has arrived by 9 p.m., contact the company.

The tour is not recommended for infants aged 0 to 2, and children and infants must be included in the passenger count. Participants must be under 65, with an exception stated for people aged 65 and older who are in suitable health and accompanied by a family member or friend aged 22 or older. People with certain conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, epilepsy, acrophobia, or pregnancy, are advised not to participate.

Tell the operator in advance if you plan to bring large luggage. Sealed light snacks and unopened drinks are allowed on the bus, but eating is not. The trip does not include travel or accident insurance, so arrange your own coverage if you want it.

Changes are allowed up to 24 hours before the activity in eligible cases. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable, and no refund is offered for leaving the trip early or missing it for personal reasons. Severe weather can lead the operator to cancel, in which case you may reschedule or request a full refund.

Should you book this Sapporo winter day trip?

Book it if you want one organized day to combine Asahiyama Zoo with Biei and Furano sights, and you are comfortable with a long ride, short stops and a route that can change. The zoo’s generous visit and the variety of scenery make the day more than a single photo run. The driver’s kind, funny manner has also been praised, though individual experiences can differ.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed penguin walk, a fixed stop at every attraction, a full guided commentary or a relaxed pace. For a good day, dress for time outdoors, arrive early at Datong Station, budget for zoo entry and food, and keep your evening open. That is the practical way to enjoy the winter sights without expecting the weather to follow a schedule.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The meeting point is Exit 31 of Datong Station. Departure is scheduled for 7:40 a.m., and you should arrive ten minutes early.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Selected packages include hotel pickup. The 9-person option includes pickup and drop-off, while the 13-person option specifies hotel pickup and return to Datong Station. Check the package details when booking.

Is Asahiyama Zoo admission included?

No. Admission costs 1,000 yen per person and is paid separately.

When can I see the penguin walk?

It is generally held from mid-December to early March, but the actual schedule is set by the zoo and may change. Confirm the day’s announcement at the zoo.

How long do you spend at Asahiyama Zoo?

The scheduled visit is about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Are meals included?

No. Meals and drinks are not included. The driver may recommend places to eat, and the tour states that there is no forced purchase.

What happens if the weather or traffic changes the route?

The operator may change the order of stops, shorten visits or skip attractions because of traffic, weather, access limits or crowds. The return time can also be delayed.

Does the tour include a guide?

A tour guide is not included. The day-before message is expected to provide contact information for the driver or tour contact.