The Blue Pond is the star of this Hokkaido day trip, but the route gives you much more: a major zoo, open farm country, a flower garden, and a long look at rural Hokkaido from a coach window. It is a useful way to reach several far-flung sights without renting a car. I like the … Read more
The great prize here is Okhotsk drift ice. From Monbetsu, the Garinko II icebreaker pushes into the frozen sea with its Archimedes-style front propeller, cracking and shoving ice beneath the hull. You also get Asahiyama Zoo’s famous penguin walk, a Sounkyo hot spring stay, and two days of northern Hokkaido scenery without having to arrange … Read more
The best part of this Hokkaido day trip is the jump from a gondola high above the autumn forest to close views of polar bears and penguins at Asahiyama Zoo. You get two very different sides of northern Japan in one outing, with a hot bowl of local ramen in between. I like that the … Read more
Asahiyama Zoo is the main event here, with clever animal displays that bring you close to polar bears and penguins. The route then sweeps through Hokkaido scenery to Biei’s blue pond, Furano’s tiny craft cabins, and a hill of seasonal flowers. I like the wide mix of sights and the fact that zoo admission, fuel, … Read more
The day’s big prize is the GARINKO GO III icebreaker, whose powerful propellers push through the Sea of Okhotsk’s drift ice. The ship lets you feel the ice crack and rise beside the hull, then turns the return view into a sunset scene of snow and orange light. Earlier, Asahiyama Zoo gives you close views … Read more
The Penguin Parade is the star here. At Asahiyama Zoo, these charming birds walk close to the path in a winter event made possible by the zoo’s northern setting. Later, you visit Shirogane Blue Pond, where snow and seasonal lighting create a pale, dreamlike scene. I like the easy air-conditioned bus ride from central Sapporo, … Read more
Hokkaido packs a lot into one day here: Asahiyama Zoo, the blue waters of Biei, Farm Tomita’s flower fields, and the famous farm roads around the town. I like that the air-conditioned bus handles long distances from Sapporo, and I like the mix of wildlife, flowers, and open countryside rather than four similar sightseeing stops. … Read more
Asahiyama Zoo gives this Hokkaido day trip its spark. You can watch penguins move through a glass tunnel, then see polar bears, wolves, big cats, apes, and other animals before heading into Biei for the calm blue water of Shirogane Blue Pond and nearby Shirahige Falls. It is a big day, but the route links … Read more
Sapporo looks best after dark, when its orderly streets turn into a broad field of lights. This 2.5-hour private outing takes you to Mt. Moiwa, one of Hokkaido’s top three night views, then to Asahiyama Memorial Park, a local favorite with a closer, warmer view of the city. I like the included ropeway and mini … Read more
The star of this long Hokkaido day is Asahiyama Zoo, where penguins march, seals glide through clear tubes, and polar bears plunge into the water. You also get the striking blue water of Biei, the snowy spray of Shirahige Falls, and a woodland stop at Ningle Terrace. I like the unusual zoo enclosures and the … Read more
Asahiyama Zoo, Biei’s startling blue pond, and Furano’s little forest craft village make this a big day out from Sapporo. You get three very different sides of Hokkaido: close animal viewing, volcanic scenery, and handmade goods in a quiet woodland setting. I like the wide mix of sights and the included zoo ticket, which remove … Read more
Asahiyama Zoo’s winter penguin walk is the star here. You also get a snowmobile option across snowy fields, plus a full day of Furano scenery without having to manage icy roads yourself. Guides such as Hong and Sunny have earned special praise for clear updates and thoughtful help. I like the heated bus and the … Read more
