Sapporo Asahiyama Zoo & Shikisai no Oka Winter Tour
- Winter limited "Penguin Walk" debuts! Asahikawa Zoo's cutest protagonists line up to appear
- Experience snowmobiles of your choice, galloping on the snowy fields of Shikicai-no-Oka, unlocking a sense of speed and vastness
- Overlooking the landmark "Ken & Mary Tree" of Biei, and capturing the minimalist romance of Hokkaido in winter
- Strolling along the forest elf terrace cabin trail, feeling the fairytale atmosphere of snow and sunshine
- Visit the "Takushinkan", the former school building of photography master Maeda Shinzo, on specific days to appreciate the beauty of light and shadow in all four seasons
- Bus departures are easy, eliminating the trouble of self-driving in winter, and the snow scene experience is worry-free throughout the journey
What to expect
There is always an indescribable purity in the winter in Hokkaido. This one-day trip from Sapporo will take you to the most popular "Asahikawa Zoo" to see polar bears, seals, penguins and other cold-zone animals up close, especially the winter-only "Penguin Walk" is even more delightful.
On the way, you will visit the "Ken & Mary Tree" and "Four Seasons Color Hill" in Biei - in the vast snowfield, the lonely tree stands quietly, and the hills are covered with snow. If you choose to experience snowmobiling, you can ride in this vastness and feel the speed and freedom of the snow country.
In the afternoon, you will go to the "Forest Elf Terrace" surrounded by the forest. Here, a small street of wooden houses is laid out in the snowy forest. The sun shines on the wooden path and snow, as if walking into the daytime chapter of a fairy tale. On certain red days, you will also visit the "Takushin Museum" of photography master Maeda Shinzo to appreciate the beauty of Hokkaido's natural light and shadow.
This is a winter journey that combines nature, animals and art. Between tranquility and emotion, you will harvest a whole day of pure white memories.
Reviews
The tour guide was very helpful. First we went to Asahiyama Zoo, saw the trees, rode snowmobiles, and finally went to Ningle Terrace, then went home to sleep on the bus.
veryfriendly and thoughtful tour guide 陈导游 and the planning for the tour is excellent ..not rushing ..recommended tour ☺️our tour guide also briefly go through the history of the city ..great experience for snow mobile too
We had such an amazing experience in Hokkaido! The snowmobile tour was absolutely unforgettable—well-organized, safe, and incredibly fun. The team was friendly and very professional, making sure everyone was comfortable, even first-timers like us. ❄️ We also loved our visit to Asahikawa Zoo.
We had such a wonderful Sapporo day tour! Huge shout-out to our tour guide Sunny — he’s incredibly knowledgeable, intellectual, and impressively tri-lingual, which made the whole experience smooth, engaging, and informative. Seeing the winter animals up close was such a special moment, and getting photos at the iconic Tree of Ken and Mary felt surreal — straight out of a postcard. The snow mobile ride was so much fun and added the perfect touch of adventure to the day. Ending the tour at Ningle Terrace (Forest Fairy Terrace) was magical — cozy lights, snowy forest vibes, and such a fairytale atmosphere. Overall, the tour was well-paced, memorable, and beautifully curated. Highly recommend this experience, especially with Sunny as your guide!
We were very happy to meet a Taiwanese tour guide who also shared his work experience in Japan with us. He put a lot of effort into leading the group. At the beginning of our trip to Asahikawa Zoo, we got separated from the group because we were waiting in line for the restroom. The tour guide even came to the entrance to pick us up and let us in. We are very grateful. It was very worthwhile to sign up for this day tour. We hope to have the opportunity to meet you again next time!
Excellent trip with a good balance of adventure and sightseeing. Unforgettable moments ❄️🤩
Possible travel delays due to the snowstorm. This resulted in a rushed tour, for example, only about 7 minutes to visit the Elf Terrace, which felt like a whirlwind tour. However, the overall value for money is still attractive, and the snowmobile was a lot of fun. The tour guide was proactive in helping and happy to share information. If there's a chance, I'd participate again.
beautiful scenery, wonderful snowmobiling experience, very informative guide..glad we book this tour..thnx
Thank you, Director Chen and the driver, for being able to change decisions immediately without affecting the itinerary, successfully leading the tour group to complete the entire trip, and also successfully seeing the penguins walking, which gave me a very good memory. Thank you.
The tour guide was professional, the service attitude was good, and the driver was polite. Although the itinerary was tight and there was heavy snow, we completed the trip safely. I would participate again if I have the opportunity.
Good to know
- This tour is a winter exclusive and only operates from December 1, 2025, to March 15, 2026. Asahikawa Zoo Closure Dates: November 4th – November 10th, December 30th – December 31st. Visits are not possible during these times. Please be aware of weather changes before departure. The itinerary may be adjusted due to inclement weather or traffic issues. The Terrace of Fairies is open seasonally and the visit may be canceled if it is closed. Please wear warm clothing and non-slip shoes according to the weather. We recommend bringing your own gloves and hat. The itinerary is based on Japan time. We recommend not scheduling activities too late the day before to ensure timely assembly on the day of the tour. The itinerary includes some outdoor activities. Please make reasonable arrangements according to your health condition. If you choose the snowmobile activity, please comply with the on-site safety guidelines and follow the instructions of the staff. Eating and drinking are prohibited in the vehicle. Please cooperate with the driver and guide. The meeting and dismissal points are Sapporo Odori Park Subway Station Exit 31 or the JR Sapporo Station North Exit bus parking lot. The specific location will be specified in the tour confirmation notice. Traffic congestion is likely during Japanese weekends and holidays (especially around the Obon Festival from August 13th to 16th), and some attractions may close early. The itinerary may be adjusted or shortened depending on the actual situation. It is recommended not to book dinner, flights, or Shinkansen in advance, and to bring snacks and a power bank. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
- Day tour does not include personal travel and personal accident insurance. If needed, please purchase it yourself. Outdoor activities and high-risk sports involve specific risks and dangers. You must assess your own health or ability. The company is not responsible for any physical damage or injury caused by accidents or unforeseen factors. Thank you.
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