Hey everyone, welcome to Sapporo! Sapporo has tons of delicious food and wonderful sights, but if you’re thinking, “I want to venture out a bit for a special experience,” how about a day trip to Asahiyama Zoo?
Even for me, someone who’s lived in Sapporo for 40 years, Asahiyama Zoo is a reasonable and attractive option for a day trip. Honestly, it’s not exactly next door, you know. But if you take the expressway, it feels like a relatively smooth drive.
Why is Asahiyama Zoo so popular? Their “Behavioral Exhibits” are amazing!
When you talk about Asahiyama Zoo, you’re talking about one of the most popular zoos in Japan, seriously. It consistently ranks high in various surveys, sometimes even hitting number one. The secret to its popularity lies in its “kodo tenji” or “behavioral exhibits.”
This is an exhibition method that showcases animals’ inherent abilities, habits, and movements in environments as close to their natural ones as possible. Instead of just seeing animals in cages, you get to feel their lively movements and presence up close – that’s the incredible part and the big appeal of Asahiyama Zoo, you know.
Asahiyama Zoo Official Website (English Machine Translation)
My Personal Favorite! You HAVE to see the Penguin Underwater Tunnel
There are lots of highlights in the zoo, but my personal favorite is the underwater tunnel in the penguin enclosure. Watching the penguins swim swiftly overhead and right past you, almost like they’re flying through the water, is truly beautiful and moving. The blue color of this tunnel on a sunny day is really stunning. I definitely want you to experience this.
The Power of Polar Bears and Many Other Unique Exhibits!
Of course, the other exhibits are amazing too. In the polar bear exhibit, you can witness the thrilling sight of them diving into a huge pool, and there’s a unique exhibit where seals swim up and down through a vertical glass tube. There are so many creative ways they highlight the animals’ personalities; I think adults and kids alike will definitely enjoy it. Honestly, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed – it’s a satisfying place to visit.
Seriously, Be Careful if You Go in Winter! Asahikawa’s Cold is No Joke
Asahiyama Zoo is mostly outdoors, you know. So, especially if you visit in winter, you absolutely must bundle up properly. Asahikawa city is in a basin, so while it gets hot in summer, it’s famous for getting incredibly cold in winter. Even among us Hokkaido locals, the image is “Asahikawa is cold~,” so a hat, gloves, scarf, and a warm outer layer like a down jacket are absolutely essential.
Food Inside the Zoo and the Fun Afterward: Asahikawa Ramen
There are restaurants and snack corners inside the zoo, so you won’t go hungry. But, if you have time, I recommend eating “Asahikawa Ramen” in Asahikawa city after leaving the zoo! Hokkaido has several famous types of ramen, but alongside Sapporo’s miso and Hakodate’s shio (salt), you definitely have to try Asahikawa’s shoyu (soy sauce). It features a deep-flavored soy sauce soup, often blended with pork/chicken stock and seafood broth, which really warms you up when you’re cold!
If You Like Jingisukan (Genghis Khan Lamb BBQ), Check Out “Daikokuya” too
Another Asahikawa gourmet treat you shouldn’t miss is Jingisukan. A restaurant called “Daikokuya” has been super famous in Asahikawa for ages, so popular that they finally opened a branch in Sapporo recently. If you like lamb, trying it in its home city of Asahikawa would be a great experience.
Daikokuya Official Website (Asahikawa Page – Japanese)
Getting to Asahiyama Zoo
Here are the main ways to get to Asahiyama Zoo from Sapporo:
- Rental Car: This gives you the most freedom. It takes about 2.5 hours via the expressway. But just between us, locals sometimes floor it and get there in about 2 hours. (lol) Stopping at service areas along the way can be fun too.
- JR Train: Take a limited express train from Sapporo Station to Asahikawa Station (about 1.5 hours), then transfer to a local bus to the zoo (about 40 minutes). JR Hokkaido Official Website (English)
- Intercity Bus: You can also take an express bus from Sapporo Station to Asahikawa Station (about 2 hours), and then switch to a local bus. (There are many bus companies, so if you choose this option, search for something like “Sapporo Asahikawa bus” and check the operating company.)
Whichever method you choose, make sure to plan considering travel times and transfer times.
Please note that public transport timetables and fares can change. Be sure to check the latest information on the respective official websites before you travel.
What About Crowds?
Since Asahiyama Zoo is popular, it gets particularly crowded during Golden Week (late April to early May), summer vacation (late July to August), and long weekends in winter. If possible, visiting slightly outside these peak times or on a weekday often means you can explore more leisurely. Also, it tends to be relatively less crowded right after opening or closer to closing time.
Conclusion: A Day Trip to Asahiyama Zoo from Sapporo? Totally Worth It!
So, what did you think? Even from my perspective as a Sapporo local, I believe a day trip to Asahiyama Zoo is a very worthwhile choice, worth the time and effort. The unique “behavioral exhibits” are truly interesting, and delicious Asahikawa gourmet food awaits!
Why not take a day during your Sapporo stay to venture out a bit and meet these lively animals? I’m sure it will become a wonderful, unforgettable memory!
