Asahiyama Zoo is a place where you can see animals in their natural, lively state.
The exhibits showcase the natural behaviors and movements of various animals, including polar bears and seals.

I think you can notice many things by observing animals from angles you've never considered before.

To help you enjoy Asahiyama Zoo, we'll introduce how to get there from New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, and Asahikawa.
We will also provide information for drivers using rental cars or their own vehicles.

I hope you'll take a look at this article before you go to Asahiyama Zoo.
Information updated on 2017/6/10.

Table of contents
[1] How to get from New Chitose Airport to Asahiyama Zoo
[2] How to get from Sapporo to Asahiyama Zoo
[3] How to get to Asahiyama Zoo from Asahikawa city
[4] How to get from Asahikawa Airport to Asahiyama Zoo
[5] For those going to Asahiyama Zoo by car: [Parking, surrounding area]
[6] For those traveling from outside Hokkaido to visit Asahiyama Zoo
Final thoughts

First, let me explain how to get from New Chitose Airport to Asahiyama Zoo.
There are several ways to get from New Chitose Airport to Asahiyama Zoo: by rental car, JR train, or bus.

FirstIf you use a rental car,We'll rent a car at New Chitose Airport and head to Asahiyama Zoo.
If you take the expressway (New Chitose Airport → Asahikawa Kita, regular toll 4900 yen), you will arrive in about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

continue,If you use JR.

I will be traveling from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station, and then from Sapporo Station to Asahikawa Station.
If you take the earliest JR train arriving at Asahikawa Station from New Chitose Airport, the journey will take approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Assuming smooth transfers between buses and taxis from Asahikawa Station, the total travel time from JR train to the zoo should be approximately 3 hours. (For access methods from Asahikawa Station, please refer to [2] Sapporo.)

Finally,How to use the busis about.

To use the bus, you will need to go from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station, and then from Sapporo Station to Asahikawa Station.
From Asahikawa Station, you will need to transfer to a bus or taxi.

While time is a constraint, one option is to travel from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station, then take a sightseeing bus from Sapporo Station to visit Asahiyama Zoo in a short amount of time. (Please refer to [2] Sapporo, which will be introduced next, for more information.)

Reservations are required for tour buses departing from Sapporo Station, but not for express buses from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station, or from Sapporo Station to Asahikawa Station.

This is just my personal opinion, but if you're not worried about traffic jams, I think it's better to rent a car to get from New Chitose Airport to Asahiyama Zoo.

I feel that renting a car would save me time because I would have to transfer at Asahikawa Station if I took the JR train, or at Sapporo Station if I took the bus.

However, driving on unfamiliar roads can be unsettling, even when you're on vacation.
Driving on winter roads requires particular caution.

If you are not confident in your driving skills, we recommend using public transportation such as JR trains or buses.

Next, we'll introduce how to get from Sapporo to Asahiyama Zoo using car, JR train, and express bus.

First,Here's how to get to Asahiyama Zoo by car.

From Sapporo, take the Hokkaido Expressway and exit at the Asahikawa Kita Interchange, then head towards Asahiyama Zoo. If there is no traffic congestion and road conditions are good, the journey will take approximately 2 hours.

The toll will be the standard highway toll of 3,490 yen (Sapporo to Asahikawa North) plus gasoline costs (and rental car fees).

*Due to the aging of the train cars, the Asahiyama Zoo Train (↑) was scheduled to be retired in fiscal year 2017. In the summer of 29, some of the "Lilac Limited Express" trains will be operated as the "Lilac Zoo Train".

next,Here's how to get to Asahiyama Zoo by JR train.

From Sapporo, you can purchase the "Asahiyama Zoo Access Ticket" (5,410 yen), which includes a round-trip train ticket between Sapporo Station and Asahikawa Station, as well as a bus ticket. Alternatively, you can purchase the "Asahiyama Zoo Ticket" (6,130 yen), which includes both the train ticket and an admission ticket to the zoo.

There is also the "Asahiyama Zoo Day Trip Taxi Plan" (7,200-8,800 yen, depending on the number of passengers), which includes round-trip train tickets between Sapporo Station and Asahikawa Station, round-trip taxi rides, and admission tickets to the zoo.

If you're using JR (Japan Railways), it's more economical to use these kinds of packages.

The journey from Sapporo Station to Asahikawa Station by JR train takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
After that, you'll transfer to a taxi or other means of transport to head to the zoo.

Depending on the mode of transportation you use from Asahikawa Station, it will take about 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach the zoo.

☆Please also check out the related articles☆
"Asahiyama Zoo Train" Ride Experience Report - From Booking to My Impressions -

Finally,This is how to get there by express bus.

I'll take a highway bus from Sapporo Station Terminal to Asahikawa Terminal.
The journey will take approximately two hours.

The fare is 2,060 yen one way. From Asahikawa Station, you will need to transfer to a bus, taxi, or rental car. (For access from Asahikawa Station to Asahiyama Zoo, please refer to [3] Asahikawa City, which will be introduced next.)

In addition, there are plans that include round-trip bus tickets as well as tickets to Asahiyama Zoo, and plans that allow you to visit nearby tourist spots such as Asahikawa Ramen Village.

For more details, please see this article.[Go to Asahiyama Zoo by bus! Includes a comparison chart of tours departing from Sapporo that you can see at a glance.] .

Some people may be wondering whether to choose a bus tour or a regular express bus.

If you want to see all the sights in a short amount of time, a bus tour is a good option. On the other hand, if you want to enjoy yourself freely without worrying about time and according to your own plan, using a highway bus would be a good choice.

☆Please also check out the related articles☆
[I went on the most popular summer day trip bus tour to Hokkaido, visiting Asahiyama Zoo, Furano, and Biei!]

Next, I will explain how to get there from within Asahikawa city.

From Asahikawa Station, you can get there by car (private car or rental car), bus (Asahikawa Electric Railway Happy Liner), or taxi.

First,This is about cars (personal cars and rental cars).
If you travel by car, you can reach Asahiyama Zoo in about 30 minutes.

next,This is about buses.

There is a bus called the "Happy Liner" that departs from hotels in the city center of Asahikawa.
(Operating times may vary depending on the season (summer/winter)

Advance reservations are required at hotels within the city. If you are staying at a hotel in Asahikawa and planning a trip to Asahiyama Zoo in the morning, using the "Happy Liner" bus will be convenient.

Admission fees are 700 yen for adults, 480 yen for children, and 260 yen for infants. It takes about 50 minutes to reach Asahiyama Zoo from Asahikawa Station.

Even if you can't ride the "Happy Liner" bus, there is a bus to Asahiyama Zoo (operated by Asahikawa Electric Railway) from platform 6 at Asahikawa Station.
Buses depart approximately every 30 minutes, so there's plenty of service and you can rest assured.

The journey takes approximately 40 minutes and costs 440 yen for adults.

Additionally, when the JR special limited express "Asahiyama Zoo Train" is in operation, there are also express (direct) trains.
It's also convenient if you're heading to Asahiyama Zoo after finishing sightseeing in other cities and towns within Hokkaido.

FinallyThis is about taxis.

A taxi ride from Asahikawa Station to Asahiyama Zoo takes approximately 30 minutes and costs around 3,000 yen.

Since there are many buses, traveling by bus can be exciting and fun, but when traveling with family or other groups, taxis are also convenient.

In my opinion, although the fare may be slightly higher than the bus depending on the number of passengers, considering the travel time (from Asahikawa Station to the bus stop, and from the bus stop to Asahiyama Zoo), a taxi might be more convenient.

Try visiting Asahiyama Zoo using the mode of transportation that best suits your travel plans.

After seeing lots of adorable animals and taking a leisurely stroll around the zoo, if you're completely exhausted, I recommend taking a taxi from Asahiyama Zoo.

The place where you can catch a taxi from the zoo is the main entrance.
If you take a taxi, please make sure to head towards the main gate.

Next, I will explain how to get there from Asahikawa Airport.

From Asahikawa Airport, you can travel by bus, taxi, or car (private car or rental car).

First,This is about buses.There is a direct bus service from Asahikawa Airport to Asahiyama Zoo.
The ride takes approximately 35 minutes, and the fare is 550 yen for adults and 280 yen for children. (No reservation required)

While it's fast and convenient because there are no intermediate stops, bus service is infrequent.
Depending on your individual schedule, such as your flight arrival time, it may not always be possible to use this service.

If you miss this bus, you will likely need to go to Asahikawa Station first and then head to Asahiyama Zoo again.
The journey from Asahikawa Airport to Asahikawa Station takes approximately 30-40 minutes and costs 620 yen.

The route from Asahikawa Station to Asahiyama Zoo is as described above.

continue,This is about taxis.

It takes about 30 minutes to get to Asahiyama Zoo by taxi from Asahikawa Airport.
The fee will be approximately 3,500 yen.

Use of a car (private car or rental car) is also an option.We will arrive at Asahiyama Zoo in about 30 minutes.

Since there are no toll roads between Asahikawa Airport and Asahiyama Zoo, you will be responsible for the cost of gasoline (or rental car).
You're probably wondering which is the most convenient way to get from Asahikawa Airport: bus, taxi, or car (private car or rental car).

If you can take a direct bus from Asahikawa Airport to Asahiyama Zoo, I think it will be the cheapest option and eliminate any wasted time or worries about driving.

On the other hand, since bus services are infrequent, if you are unable to make it in time for your flight's arrival, we recommend taking a taxi or renting a car.

In particular, I would like to recommend using a taxi for those who are unsure about driving in Hokkaido or who have never driven on winter roads before.

While using JR trains, buses, or bus tours eliminates the worry of driving, you might still be concerned about return times and meeting times.
On the other hand, using a car (your own car or a rental car) allows you to enjoy Asahiyama Zoo freely and at your own pace.

To help you enjoy Asahiyama Zoo even more, we'll now provide some information for drivers.

Asahiyama Zoo, where visitors can see adorable animals, attracts many visitors every day when it is open.
When visiting the zoo by car, you might be worried about parking.

Asahiyama Zoo has parking lots at the main gate, east gate, and west gate.

There is free parking available for approximately 180 cars at the main gate and approximately 320 cars at the east gate.
At the main gate and the east gate, you'll find design objects created by picture book author Hiroshi Abe.

I recommend taking a photo here as a memento of your visit to Asahiyama Zoo.
On the other hand, there are private paid parking lots near the west gate, the former east gate, and the area opposite the free parking lot at the main gate (500 yen per day, approximately 1,500 spaces). The west gate is close to attractions such as the seal exhibit and the penguin exhibit.

On holidays and long weekends, the roads near the main gate of Asahiyama Zoo become congested.
Therefore, the free parking lot near the main gate may fill up first.

The free parking lot at the east gate also has lines and sometimes becomes full.
Asahiyama Zoo opens at 9:30 a.m. during the summer and at 10:30 a.m. during the winter.

The earlier you arrive, the more free parking you can use.
I recommend visiting the zoo early, aiming to arrive right when it opens.

Please allow yourself plenty of time for your actions.

If the free parking lots at the main gate and east gate are full, there are private paid parking lots available, so please use those instead.

If you have a car, you can easily go to another tourist spot right after visiting Asahiyama Zoo.
Asahikawa city has many tourist attractions, including Asahikawa Ramen Village, the Snow Museum, and Asahikawa Tokiwa Park/Hokkaido Prefectural Asahikawa Museum of Art.

If you venture a little further, you can visit places like Sounkyo Gorge, Biei, and Furano.
It becomes easier to plan trips that fit your own schedule.

On the other hand, driving on unfamiliar roads is tiring.
If you get tired while driving, take a break immediately.

Furthermore, driving on snowy roads in Hokkaido is nerve-wracking even for those who live there and drive every day.
Even if you're used to driving, overconfidence is dangerous.

Please allow yourself plenty of time, drive calmly and carefully.

We've covered how to get to Asahiyama Zoo from Sapporo, New Chitose Airport, Asahikawa city, and Asahikawa Airport.

Many people who are planning a trip to Hokkaido from outside the prefecture may be wondering which airport is the most convenient to use.

Hokkaido has 14 public airports, including Chitose and Okadama, but if you're planning a trip mainly to Asahiyama Zoo, Asahikawa Airport is the most convenient option.
It only takes about 30 minutes by car from Asahikawa Airport to Asahiyama Zoo, so there's no wasted time.

Asahiyama Zoo offers visitors the chance to see animals in their natural, vibrant state, such as polar bears swimming dynamically.
The park also has restaurants and shops selling souvenirs, so it's fun to take your time and explore.

In addition to Asahiyama Zoo, Asahikawa also boasts delicious sweets shops, such as Asahikawa ramen with its rich and flavorful taste that's addictive, and cream puffs from Umeya Confectionery.

I think it would be a good idea to make Asahiyama Zoo your main destination and then travel around Asahikawa, visiting places like Biei and Furano.

On the other hand, if you've come all the way to Hokkaido, you might want to visit not only Asahiyama Zoo but also other tourist attractions like Sapporo.

In that case, using New Chitose Airport is convenient. After visiting Asahiyama Zoo, you can take the JR train or bus to Sapporo and do some sightseeing.
Another option is to take a plane from Sapporo to New Chitose Airport and return home that way.

In addition, some people may find themselves unable to secure tickets from Asahikawa Airport on the last day of their trip, and therefore have to head directly to New Chitose Airport from Asahiyama Zoo.

In that case, I think it would be safest to leave Asahikawa Zoo 4 to 5 hours before your flight.

For example, if you are taking a flight departing from New Chitose Airport at 17:30.
Asahiyama Zoo 13:00 → (local bus) → Arrive at Asahikawa Station 13:41
Asahikawa Station 14:00 → (Transfer to Limited Express and Rapid Airport trains) → Arrive at New Chitose Airport 16:20
*Extracted from the timetable as of September 2016.

You won't be able to stroll leisurely through the zoo, but it's important to leave with plenty of time to spare.
You can probably buy some souvenirs at New Chitose Airport as well.

However, it is important to check the operating status of JR and bus services.
Also, roads may be congested on holidays and other times.

To board a plane, you must complete the boarding procedures, so I hope you can enjoy your trip with plenty of time and a relaxed mind.

Summary

What did you think.
This article provides information on how to get to Asahiyama Zoo from New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Asahikawa Station, and other locations, as well as information for drivers.

The best way to get there will depend on whether you plan to use Asahiyama Zoo as your base for sightseeing or combine it with sightseeing in other cities.
Enjoy Asahiyama Zoo in a way that suits your plans.

Watching cute animals like the waddling penguins is very soothing.
I hope this article will inspire you to visit Asahiyama Zoo.

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