Hokkaido is a popular destination for travel by both domestic and international travellers year-round.

I recommended taking a regular sightseeing bus to those who think that:

“There are so many places I want to go, but the travel distance is too long to go around.”

“I want to enjoy Hokkaido more efficiently”

” I want to know more about Hokkaido by travelling!”

In this article, I am going to introduce you the Asahiyama Zoo One-Day Tour.

Please also check out another article on 【Sapporo Afternoon Tour】Mt. Okura and Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill Tour

What is Hokkaido’s regular sightseeing bus tour?

 

The Hokkaido Regular Sightseeing Bus is a reservation-based route bus which travels to famous sightseeing spots and allows visitors to enjoy the nature and food of Hokkaido. There are more than 25 different courses in total which you can choose according to your interests and schedule. ♩

The merits of taking regular sightseeing bus operated by the Hokkaido Chuo Bus can be summarized as the following 3 points:

① Different types of tours to choose from depending on your schedule

With more than 25 different courses, you can enjoy sightseeing according to your schedule.
It is recommended not only to travellers, but also to those who can squeeze some time to travel when they are on business trips.

② Lots of information about Hokkaido!

A specialized bus guide or an audio guidance system not only explains the tourist spots and attractions, but also provides various tidbits of knowledge on the history, culture and cuisine of Hokkaido.

The audio guidance system provides multilingual navigation support in Korean, Chinese and English, therefore, even overseas visitors can fully enjoy Hokkaido to the fullest.

③ Solo traveller is welcomed

You can join the tour even if travelling alone and fully enjoy your solo trip in Sapporo ♩

Since all seats are reserved, you can enjoy sightseeing throughout the journey without worries, which is one of the merits of travelling by sightseeing bus.

An airport shuttle bus takes you from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo!

The Hokkaido regular sightseeing bus departs from Sapporo Station. If you are arriving at New Chitose Airport, you will need to take a bus transfer, but the airport shuttle bus makes your transfer easier. ♩

For more details, please check out the article “Taking the Bus from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo is Recommended! Introducing Gourmet Food and Tourist Spots.”

Let’s go with the “Asahiyama Zoo One-Day Tour”

The Asahiyama Zoo One-Day Tour allows you to go directly to the Asahiyama Zoo without transfers, a tourist guide and the zoo admission ticket are included in the tour. It takes about 2 hours to get to Asahikawa from Sapporo, but since the only destination is Asahiyama Zoo, you will be able to enjoy your day at a leisurely pace.

The bus stopped by Sunagawa Highway Oasis and Iwase Farm (summer only) for a break, which are hidden gems of fun.

–9:15 Headed to the sightseeing bus ticket counter at the western concourse of Sapporo Station North Exit.

The “Hokkaido regular sightseeing bus” departed from the north exit of Sapporo Station. Please exchange your ticket at the sightseeing bus ticket counter in the west concourse of the north exit of Sapporo Station at least 15 minutes in advance.

–9:25 Prepared for boarding at the bus stop at north exit of Sapporo Station

There was an announcement made 5 minutes before departure and a staff directed me to the boarding spot. Let’s go and get on the bus!

–10:40 Took a break at Sunagawa Highway Oasis, a rarely huge size of service area that you can hardly find in Hokkaido.

The bus stopped by Sunagawa Highway Oasis, which is just located right behind Sunagawa Service Area.

There were a number of shops selling local specialties and sake, as well as a shop directly operated by Hokkaido’s leading confectionery “Kitakaro” where you can enjoy meals and sweets using local ingredients.

I bought Yubari Melon Jelly at Kitakaro.

When the people of Hokkaido residents think of Yubari melon jelly, they think of Yubari melon pure jelly from Hori, which is famous for its sugarcane chocolate. …… It is said that Kitakaro is a subsidiary of Hori. No wonder there are similar products!

I had it right away! It was bite-sized and easy to eat. I was able to enjoy the jelly filled with the deliciousness of Yubari melons. It is worth trying the Yubari Melon Jelly no matter as a sweet snack during the bus ride or as a souvenir.

Passengers of sightseeing bus tour were also given a discount coupon by the guide. With the coupon, I was able to buy the additive-free shio koji (Koji Marinade) at a good price as a souvenir.

◎Basic information of Sunagawa Highway Oasis

Business hours	9:00-18:00
Holiday	NA
Google map	https://maps.app.goo.gl/UEAgHt2qiBY9ehze9
Tel	0125-53-2460
Homepage	https://www.sunagawa-ho.co.jp/

–12:05 Visited Asahiyama Zoo, which is famous for its behavioral exhibits

After about an hour ride from Sunagawa Highway Oasis, we arrived at our destination, the Asahiyama Zoo.

I was distributed with a park pamphlet before getting off the bus and I entered the park through the east gate on the mountain.

To get around the park smoothly, I recommended going anti-clockwise: the park is divided into 31 booths, so it might be difficult for first-time visitors to get around the park. ……I recommended three places in particular. Here are the places that I recommended.

◆No 3. Penguin Museum

The third recommended spot is the Penguin House. There are many cute penguin objects at the entrance, which will soothe you definitely.

When I entered the museum, there was an underwater tunnel with a wall of glass, where you can see the penguins swimming. If you want to see a lot of “flying penguins”, I recommended visiting the park before snow accumulates on the water surface.

Even if you got them closer, the king penguins didn’t move an inch. They were so cute.

There is a performance show “Walk of a penguin” held in winter during mid-Dec to mid-March. It is appealing that you can enjoy different appearances of penguins in every season.

◆No 2. Children’s Farm

My second recommended spot is the “Children’s Farm.” The Children’s Farm is the only place in the park where you can interact with animals. There are 4 sessions daily that allows you to have close interactions with rabbits and guinea pigs.

There was some time before petting, so I took a walk inside the breeding shed. The zookeeper’s handwritten explanations were easy to understand, and we were able to learn about the ecology of animals while observing!

We lined up together as there were many families! The body temperature of a rabbit is about 38 degrees Celsius. It seems to be a little higher than that of humans. Perhaps because their body temperature rises when they are nervous, I could feel their warmth even through a towel. Please enjoy the interaction with animals ♩

◆No 1. Seal House

The spot that I mostly recommended is the Seal House. While I walked inside, I was being soothed by the cute murals drawn on the walls and

a little sargassum seal was caught between the tetrapods! Apparently it looked as if his favourite place.

While many people focused on the cylindrical aquarium (marine way) where you can observe swimming of seals, I was attracted by a spotted seal lounging comfortably.

Outside the museum, there were many signboard pictures of the seals in the world. These hand-painted signboards looked impressive when lined up together.

I was completely engrossed in the animals that I forgot about lunch.

I headed to the Asahiyama Zoo’s Central Cafeteria which is adjacent to the Seal House. This time, I ordered the Asahiyama seal pancake and Hokkaido croquettes.

Time flies when you are having fun. I didn’t want to leave without buying anything so I bought a bottle of water to drink on the bus.

By following the recommended route and going anti-clockwise, I was able to go around the park smoothly. Please try to get around in the same way!

◎Basic information of Asahiyama Zoo

Business Hours	Refer to Official Homepage for details
Holidays	November 4 to November 10, December 30 to January 1
Google map	https://maps.app.goo.gl/hH2nXqCZxPeaKNz18
Tel	0166-36-1104
Homepage	https://www.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/asahiyamazoo/

–16:55 Enjoyed rich gelato at Iwase Farm♩

After leaving Asahiyama Zoo, the bus made a stop at Iwase Farm.

This stopover made in summer only, where you can enjoy rich and creamy gelato at a shop next to the farm.

Strawberry Millefeuille was recommended by the staff. I bought and tried it.

In addition to the rich taste of freshly squeezed milk, the strawberry pulp and the crunch of the crackers were fantastic ♩ If you go with friends, you can enjoy a comparison of tastes by ordering different flavors of gelato.

◎Basic information of Iwase Farm

Business Hours	9:00-18:00
Holiday	Holiday
Google map	https://maps.app.goo.gl/GeuE8EcqatyjHe8LA
Tel	0125-53-5071
Homepage	http://www.iwasefarm.co.jp/

–19:00 Back to Sapporo Station

After an enjoyable day trip, we returned to Sapporo Station. I had so much fun today that I thought it would not have been possible to travel so efficiently and smoothly by going by car or by trains.

It would be nice to enjoy Hokkaido in such a relaxing way. The Hokkaido Bus offers a wide variety of sightseeing bus tours. You will definitely be filled with joy and excitement no matter if you join the same course with a different partner or try a different course.

Below are the course details of Asahiyama Zoo One-Day Tour

◾️Route/Schedule

July 1 – September 30, 2023

October 1 – November 3, 2023

◾️Fare

Adult 5,900yen／Child 2,500yen

※ Asahiyama Zoo Ticket is included.

※Junior school students or below are granted free admission to the Zoo, thus no admission ticket is required. (Junior school students with no admission ticket is 5100yen)

※A child fare applies to those who is in elementary school only.

※A child under elementary school age can travel free of charge if he does not need his own seat. If a seat is needed, please buy him a child ticket.

◾️Operation Period

April 29 ～ November 3, 2023

※Operates daily in the above period.

◾️Duration

9 hours 30 mins

※8 hours 35 mins for October 1 to November 3, 2023

◾️Sightseeing bus ticket counter / sightseeing bus stop

Please note that all courses meet up at sightseeing bus ticket counter 15 minutes before departure, and passengers will be guided to the sightseeing bus stop 5 minutes before the bus departs. Please be punctual and show up on schedule.

◾️How to make a reservation

①By telephone

Call the Hokkaido Chuo Bus Terminal directly

TEL：0570-200-600（Office Hours／7:30〜14:30）

②Online booking

Book via Japan Bus Online

◾️Exchange a paper ticket before departure

Please note that you are required to present the confirmation email which you received after online payment (either printed copy or saved screen on your phone) at Sightseeing Bus Ticket Counter at least 15 minutes before scheduled departure time of your tour to exchange a paper ticket for boarding. (From 1 September, 2023, the ticket counter is located at West Concourse, Sapporo Station North Exit).

Enjoy a day with Hokkaido’s regular sightseeing bus!

How was it? The sightseeing bus tour covered in this article is available only during the snow-free period.

One of the attractions is that you can enjoy a relaxing and comfortable trip with a tourist guide which will make your trip fruitful. Why not experience this unique enjoyment of travelling by bus, rather than by train or renting a car?