Hokkaido Great Buddha & Jozankei Onsen & Otaru & Shiroi Koibito Day Trip (Departing from Sapporo)

Our guide was Lee, and he was very nice and helpful. He always reminded us a few minutes before it was time to get back on the bus, which was great so no one got left behind. The first stop was the Great Buddha and Moai Statue Park. This was my favorite stop. There were so many Moai statues, and they were really interesting to see. We arrived around 9:30 AM, so we had plenty of time to take photos before the Great Buddha opened at 10 AM. Next was Jozankei. You can soak your feet for free here, so don’t forget to bring a towel. After that, there’s about a 10-minute walk to the red bridge, where you can take photos. The scenery was beautiful—the river was frozen and felt very magical. Then we went to Otaru, where we had lunch. Lee recommended a restaurant, and we tried snow crabs, which were really good. After eating, we walked to the Otaru Canal. It was okay, but nothing too special for me. The last stop was Shiroi Koibito Park. It was fine, mainly a place to buy souvenirs.

Really had fun on this tour! We joined the day before leaving Sapporo, and it was the perfect winter send-off. The peaceful atmosphere at the Hill of the Buddha and the Moai statues, the picturesque views in Jozankei and Otaru, and the sweet finale at Shiroi Koibito made the whole day feel beautifully well-rounded. Our tour guide, Hikaru, made it even more enjoyable—he was pleasant, always smiling, and genuinely cheerful despite the challenging weather. There was a slight delay in the morning pickup due to heavy snow, road conditions, and traffic, and he even gave each group little goodies as a “late gift,” even though it wasn’t his fault at all. If you get Hikaru on your tour, you’re in great hands!

This tour felt like we were able to see so many different sides of Hokkaido in just one day. Everything was well organized, and the itinerary was followed smoothly throughout the day. Our tour guide, Jeremy, was incredibly helpful and made sure everything stayed on schedule. He also shared great recommendations for meal spots, which made the experience even better since we got to try some really good local food. Overall, it was a very enjoyable and memorable tour. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to explore these beautiful destinations comfortably and efficiently!

I was overall happy with this tour, especially the itinerary. Im glad to say that what you see in the photos is truly what you get in real life. Otaru was magical, especially with the snowfall. Jozankei Onsen was also beautiful - the snowy surroundings made it an excellent spot for photos. Other stops such as Hill of the Buddha and Shiroi Koibito Park were also impressive. The main downside of the trip was the limited time at Shiroi Koibito Park. We only had about 40 minutes there, which was not enough. We wanted to go inside the factory to see how the chocolates are made and also spend time shopping for souvenirs, but we couldn’t do both due to the short stop. As for the guide, Hanson, it was nice that he speaks English. He was approachable, friendly, and gave clear instructions, especially regarding meeting times. Suggestions for improvement: • The guide could speak louder. • The historical background of the tourist spots was lacking. • Lunch instructions were unclear.

The place is amazing during winter, the snow is like powdered milk😅. There’s a cafe near the Hill of Buddha and a cafe outside near the parking area. The place is actually Huge. Snap your perfect spot. We also saw a deer! awsome! BUT the guide and driver is so rude, keep repeating the instance of eating peanut/poprice of other passenger, He should have handled it nicely. Although we were not the one who made the mistake, I feel sorry for the other passengers because he’s too rude when delivering the message. I actually suprised since this is not a common to Japanese. maybe one in a million

I had a wonderful experience with our guide, Ms Kiki, despite the inclement weather and heavy snow in Sapporo. Due to road conditions, the last segment of the tour to Shiroi Koibito Park had to be cancelled, but Ms Kiki handled the situation professionally and thoughtfully by arranging more time for us to explore Otaru, which we truly appreciated. Throughout the trip, she was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive, constantly sharing great recommendations for local food and shopping that enhanced our experience. Even with challenging weather conditions, she ensured the tour remained enjoyable and well-managed. Thank you, Ms Kiki, for your dedication and excellent service — it made our day trip memorable despite the snow!

A great way to visit tourist attractions without any hassle. With good english speaking tour guide and very informative. Tour bus arrives and departs on time.

Our tour guide, Andy, was incredibly attentive. The itinerary was well-planned, and he provided detailed explanations for each attraction, allowing us to gain a deep understanding of Hokkaido. 👍👍👍

Jeremy did his best in guiding our group composed of different nationalities. He knew the places well and his timing of each place was just right. I enjoyed this trip so much, no hassles, just pure fun at each place visited.

The itinerary was well-planned, not too rushed and not too slow. My favorite part was the first stop, the Hill of the Buddha. Our guide, Hikaru, was very nice and impressively fluent in Japanese, Chinese, and English 👍. If you enjoy architecture, nature, and history, I highly recommend this route.