Hokkaido Day Trip From Sapporo: Asahiyama Zoo to Ningle Terrace（April - November）

During the period from April to November, the itinerary will be adjusted as follows: Asahiyama Zoo (110 minutes) - Blue Pond - Shiraito Waterfall - HERBGARDEN - Fairy Terrace.

Asahiyama Zoo, Asahikawa City

Biei Aoike

Shirahige Waterfalls

Shikisai-no-oka

[Pick-up]

Bus tours depart from Sapporo Oriental Hotel at 7:30 am or from Sapporo Station North Exit Group BUS Terminal at 8:00 am.

[10:30] Asahikawa

Asahiyama Zoo (including admission, approximately 110 minutes, with free time for lunch)

Asahiyama Zoo Closures: (April 8, 2025 to April 25, 2025/November 4 to November 10, 2025)

Alternate Itinerary if Asahiyama Zoo is Closed:

Meiyo Blue Pond (30 minutes)→Shiraito Waterfall (15 minutes)→Herbgarden (20 minutes)→Furano City Grape and Fruit Tree Research Institute (30 minutes)→Fairy Terrace (30 minutes)

Note: The guide will adjust the duration of each attraction based on the weather conditions on the day, extending or shortening the time as needed.

Asahiyama Zoo is located in Asahikawa, Hokkaido and is the northernmost zoo in Japan. It has now become the most popular zoo in Japan. Who says that most animals hibernate and close their doors to visitors in winter? Visiting Asahiyama Zoo in Hokkaido on a snowy day is an absolutely unique and delightful experience: the cute penguins take a group walk in the snow, the clumsy raccoons climb around and make funny faces above your head, the curious seals swim up and down in the glass columns, and the monkeys huddle together for warmth. The biggest feature of this zoo is that it ensures the animals are kept in a relatively free state and allows visitors to observe them up close through clever displays.

[13:20] Biei

From April 1 to November 30, visit: Blue Pond (approximately 30 minutes)

The Blue Pond is located on the left bank of the Biei River in Hokkaido. It was formed by a dam built to intercept volcanic lava. Under the sunlight, the pond water reflects a blue color, hence its name. Approaching the Biei Blue Pond is like stepping into a fairyland, with a hazy beauty that is often referred to as Japan's "Mini Jiuzhaigou." Every morning, the water color becomes even more pure and azure, truly a feast for the eyes. The Blue Pond was once photographed by National Geographic photographer Mr. Kent Ishii. His work was later acquired by Apple Inc. and became one of the default desktops for the MAC series. The water of the Blue Pond contains abundant minerals and soil particles from volcanic ash. Under the sunlight, the pond will display various colors with subtle changes in the environment. You never know what it will look like in the next moment, which is full of anticipation.

14:00

From April 1 to November 30, visit: Shiraito Waterfall (approximately 20 minutes)

Shiraito Waterfall in Furano, Hokkaido, located in the Biei-cho Onsen area, has a drop of 30 meters and an elevation of 600 meters. It is named for its water cascading down through the rock crevices like white beards. The water that emerges from underground seeps into the rocks, creating blue-tinted splashes. Here, you can enjoy the stark contrast between the lush greenery and clear waters of summer and the snow-covered landscape of winter.

[14:50] Furano

Free ice cream or hot drinks will be provided when passing through HERB GARDEN

Hot drinks (choose one of two):Specialties of Hokkaido corn soup or hot tea

Ice cream (please choose one from three options): cream ice cream,Furano Specialties Lavender ice cream, or cantaloupe ice cream

Forest Elf Terrace (about 30 minutes)

Ningle Terrace in Furano is a forest handmade experience workshop inspired by the character in the novels of Japanese writer Satoshi Kuramoto ( a 15cm elf living in a large forest). The cabins here are small shops selling unique small goods, mostly handmade, such as glass crafts, paper crafts, hand paintings, and crafts made from dried lavender flowers from Furano. Each shop is small and exquisite, and everything is sold only here and there, so there won't be another one. The lights in the evening are very romantic.

15:50

Ningle Terrace (approximately 30 minutes)

Ningle Terrace in Furano is a forest craft workshop inspired by a character from a novel by Japanese writer Soji Kuramoto ( a 15cm - tall elf living in the great forest). The log cabins here are small shops selling unique handicrafts, all of which are handmade, such as glass crafts, paper crafts, hand - painted pictures, and lavender - based crafts. Each shop is small but exquisite, and the items sold here are exclusive, with no other outlets available. The lighting at dusk is particularly romantic.

Ningle Terrace Closure Dates:November 3, 2025 to November 28, 2025

Alternative Itinerary during Ningle Terrace Closure:

Meiyo Biei Onsen (90 minutes)

Address: 071 - 0235, Biei - cho, Kamikawa - gun, Hokkaido, Biei Onsen

Note: If the above - mentioned onsen is closed, another onsen in the Meiyo area will be substituted.

If both the zoo and Ningle Terrace are closed, the itinerary will be adjusted as follows:

Blue Pond (30 minutes)

Shiraito Waterfall (15 minutes)

Herbgarden (20 minutes)

Onsen (90 minutes)

[16:20] Return

Return to Sapporo city and have a happy ending to your day trip.

[18: 30] Sapporo

Departure point: Sapporo Station North Exit Group Bus Terminal (Kita-Shichijo-nishi 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City)/Sapporo Oriental Hotel

• Meals not included
• Hotel not included
• 18:00 Return to the pick-up point, the return time is for reference only.
• Things to Know
  • The above itinerary schedule may be adjusted due to weather, road conditions and other reasons, please understand.