Asahiyama Zoo, Furano & Biei bus tour from Sapporo

Asahiyama Zoo's animal feeding, lavender fields, and a blue pond in one Hokkaido day

A full-day bus tour from Sapporo takes you to four Hokkaido destinations: Asahiyama Zoo, where zookeepers feed animals during Mogumogu Time; Farm Tomita's lavender fields and flower gardens; Shirogane Blue Pond's striking blue water; and Patchwork Road's iconic trees and crop-patterned landscape. Zoo admission and air-conditioned transport are included. The tour runs roughly 10 hours with a 15-minute rest stop at the start and another at the end. Lunch at the zoo is on your own, arriving around 2 p.m. Flower blooming, traffic conditions and weather may alter the itinerary or shorten the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hokkaido sightseeing by bus

• 15-minute rest stop
• Visit Farm Tomita lavender fields
• See Shirogane Blue Pond
• View Patchwork Road from bus
• Explore Asahiyama Zoo and Mogumogu Time
• 15-minute rest stop

The experience

Sapporo's bus tour departs on a fixed schedule and does not wait for late arrivals, so plan to be at the pickup point early. The route takes you first to Farm Tomita, where you walk through rolling hills of lavender (30 to 50 minutes depending on the season) and explore the Irodori no Batake flower gardens: a hillside display designed for photographs. From there, the bus heads to Shirogane Blue Pond in Biei, where the water holds a distinctive blue hue even in the nearby river, though heavy traffic during peak season may force a reroute to Northwestern Hills instead.

Asahiyama Zoo is the centerpiece stop, and the timing matters: you'll arrive around 2 p.m., making lunch a late meal you'll need to arrange on your own at the zoo. The zoo's layout mimics natural habitats, letting you see animals up close. The real draw is Mogumogu Time, when zookeepers feed the animals and share details about them, but road delays can occasionally bump this off the schedule. Before returning to Sapporo, the bus passes through Patchwork Road, where you'll spot the Seven Star Tree and Ken and Mary Tree from your window without leaving the vehicle. The road's name comes from the grid-like patchwork of different crops planted across the fields.

Flower blooming depends entirely on the season and weather, so lavender varieties and quantities shift throughout the year. The tour operates year-round, though the itinerary may shorten or cancel if conditions deteriorate. If any expressway section closes before departure, the bus takes an alternate route via national highways with stops at roadside stations. You're free to leave the tour at any stop, but once you depart the group, there are no refunds or guarantees of return transport.

What’s included

• Admission to Asahiyama Zoo.
• air-conditioned bus transport.
• a 15-minute rest stop before the first stop and another at the end of the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Thursday, Saturday and SundayDeparts at 07:45

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 40

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by H.I.S.Co., Ltd.

Is this one for you?Book a non-peak season or July departure if your Hokkaido trip has flexibility, since flower blooming and crowd levels shift the experience significantly. Avoid scheduling this tour on your last day in Sapporo, as bus delays are not compensated and a missed departure means no refund.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Mogumogu Time at Asahiyama Zoo?

Mogumogu Time is a scheduled feeding session where zookeepers share insights about the animals while feeding them. It's a highlight of the zoo visit, though road delays can occasionally affect whether it runs on the day you visit.

When do the lavender fields bloom at Farm Tomita?

Lavender peaks from June through September, when you get a 50-minute stay to walk the fields and flower gardens. Outside that window, the park still has seasonal blooms but you'll have a shorter 30-minute visit.

Why is Shirogane Blue Pond blue?

The pond's striking blue color comes from mineral-rich water and suspended particles that absorb light in a way that creates the distinctive hue. The nearby river reflects the same blue, making both the pond and riverside ideal for photographs.

What are the Seven Star Tree and Ken and Mary Tree?

Both are iconic landscape landmarks on Patchwork Road, visible from the bus window. They're named trees that have become famous photo spots in the Biei area, though you view them from the vehicle rather than stopping to walk among them.

Can I bring lunch, or do I need to buy it at the zoo?

Lunch is on your own and you'll arrive at the zoo around 2 p.m., making it a late meal. The zoo has food options available, so you can purchase lunch there rather than bringing it from Sapporo.

What happens if traffic is heavy or weather turns bad?

Heavy traffic during peak season may reroute you from Shirogane Blue Pond to Northwestern Hills instead. Poor weather can shorten the tour or cancel it entirely. Road closures on expressways trigger alternate routes via national highways with stops at roadside stations.