Hokkaido Winter Trip
DAY 2 — ASAHIYAMA ZOO
Friday, December 11, 2026
DAY 2 — ASAHIYAMA ZOO
Friday, December 11, 2026
Today starts early. Prepare:
Sapporo–Furano Area Pass
Reserved-seat ticket
Passport
Phone + power bank
Gloves
Beanie
Neck warmer
Waterproof shoes
HEATTECH + mid-layer + down jacket
Asahikawa is generally colder than Sapporo, and much of the day will be outdoors.
Take a GO Taxi from Hotel Sosei.
Target arrival : 07:45
Allow plenty of time to find the correct platform and car.
Take a: Limited Express LILAC / KAMUI
Both operate between Sapporo and Asahikawa. Journey time is approximately 1 hr 25 min.
Ticket : Sapporo Furano Area Pass
Seat - Use a Reserved Seat.
For two people, book two seats together.
First-timer rule
Don't rely only on the destination. Always check:
Train Name + Departure Time + Car Number + Seat Number
After getting off the train, follow the signs toward the bus area. Our next destination is: Asahiyama Zoo
Don't spend time sightseeing around Asahikawa yet. We want to reach the zoo close to opening time.
Take the local bus to: Asahiyama Zoo
Journey time is approximately 40 minutes.
⚠️ Important
The bus is NOT covered by the Sapporo–Furano Area Pass.
Pay separately.
First-timer tip
Before boarding, check the destination display for:
Asahiyama Zoo / 旭山動物園
If you're unsure, simply ask the driver:
“Asahiyama Zoo?”
The zoo's winter opening hours for this period are:
10:30–15:30 Last admission: 15:00.
Our goal is to arrive around opening time and enjoy almost the entire operating day.
Allow approximately: ¥1,000+ / adult
Recheck the official admission price closer to the travel date.
Once inside, don't try to see absolutely everything.
Our priority is the animals that make Asahiyama special in winter.
#1 Polar Bear House
Allow time to watch them rather than simply taking a photo and moving on.
#2 Penguin House
Even if the Penguin Walk has not started, the Penguin House itself is worth visiting.
Look for the underwater viewing areas where you can watch penguins swimming.
#3 Seal House
One of Asahiyama Zoo's signature exhibits.
Watch for seals swimming through the famous vertical cylinder.
This is worth waiting a few minutes for.
Look for simple warm meals such as:
Ramen / Curry / Pork / Chicken / Rice dishes
Budget ¥1,000–1,500/person
Time limit
Try to keep lunch to approximately 45 minutes.
Red Panda
Snow Leopard
Wolf / Hokkaido
Ezo animals
Don't worry about seeing every single enclosure.
If an animal is particularly active, stay and enjoy it.
That's better than rushing through the whole zoo.
Use the last part of the visit for:
Revisit a favourite animal
Hot drink
Souvenir shop
Restroom
Prepare for the bus
Leave enough time to catch the bus back to Asahikawa.
Approximately 40 minutes.
⚠️ Winter rule
Don't book the return JR train too tightly after the bus arrival. Snow and traffic can cause delays.
Use this as buffer time. You can:
Use the restroom
Buy drinks
Buy snacks
Check the JR platform
Warm up
Take: Limited Express LILAC / KAMUI
Use: Sapporo–Furano Area Pass + Reserved Seat
Journey time:
~1 hr 25 min
This is a good time to rest after several hours walking around the zoo.
GO Taxi → Hotel Sosei
Enjoy the benefits available to Platinum members:
Explore Sapporo Factory.
Use this time for:
Shopping / Photos / December atmosphere / Dinner if hungry
Because we've already had food at the hotel, dinner can be light.
Walk back to Hotel Sosei.
Prepare for tomorrow:
Charge phone
Charge power bank
Prepare JR Pass
Prepare reserved-seat ticket
Gloves / hat / neck warmer
Check weather
Try to sleep relatively early.
Sapporo → Asahikawa
U-Seat reservation
Bus to Asahikawa Zoo ¥500
Zoo Admission ¥1,000
Lunch ¥1,000–2,000
Snack&Drinks ~¥500-1000
Bus to Asahikawa Station ¥500
Dinner ¥1,000–2,000
Basic attractions + transport ~¥5,000–6,000/person + taxis
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