Buses are a convenient way to get around the vast Hokkaido region.
Asahiyama Zoo, in particular, attracts many visitors by bus from distant cities such as Sapporo.

Therefore, even if you simply say "take a bus from Sapporo to Asahiyama Zoo," there are many different options, including express buses and bus tours with optional features.
This might be a bit confusing for tourists.

Here, we will compare fares, travel times, and other factors based on different travel patterns, primarily assuming you are departing from Sapporo.
Use this to help you plan your trip!

~~

[1] How to get there by bus from Sapporo
[1-1] Duration [1-2] Price [1-3] Round trip + ticket included tour

[2] Comparison chart of buses departing from Sapporo
[2-1] How to choose the right one? [2-2] Bus tour comparison chart

[3] Bus from Asahikawa city (airport, train station, hotel) to Asahiyama Zoo
[3-1] Asahikawa Airport [3-2] Asahikawa Station [3-3] Hotels in Asahikawa City

[4] Frequently Asked Questions
[4-1] Required length of stay [4-2] Toilets during bus travel

[Bonus Episode] Rental Car vs. Bus: Which is more economical?

[1-1] The journey takes 2-3 hours one way.

The distance is approximately 140km, and if you travel smoothly without taking any breaks, you should arrive in about two hours.

However, most buses take a break at Sunagawa Service Area along the way, and the journey takes 2 to 3 hours.
Furthermore, long-distance travel carries the risk of delays due to traffic congestion and speed restrictions.
Even if you leave in the morning, you'll probably arrive before noon.

[1-2] The fare is 2,500 yen one way by express bus.

By express bus, the fare from Sapporo to Asahikawa Station is 2,040 yen. From Asahikawa Station to Asahiyama Zoo is 460 yen. (Hokkaido Chuo Bus)
The total is 2,500 yen.
Buying a booklet of four tickets will save you approximately 260 yen per ticket. (Total cost: 7,210 yen, saving you 1,030 yen compared to buying them separately.)

[1-3] Round-trip + ticket included tours are under 5,000 yen

I mentioned earlier that the one-way fare is 2,500 yen, but that's just the standard fare for public transportation.

Round-trip bus tours, or package tours including a bus ride there and a JR express train ride back, generally cost less than 5,000 yen and include admission tickets.
An admission ticket costs 820 yen for adults, so you'll save about 1,000 yen.

[2-1] How do you make the right choice?

Many different companies offer various tours, but the problem is that it's difficult to tell the difference between them at first glance.

The main differences and points to consider when choosing are listed below.

boarding area, alighting area

The main locations are bus stops within the city, in front of Sapporo Station, and well-known hotels in the city.

Point

Leaving between 7 and 8 in the morning can be surprisingly hectic. It's more convenient to have accommodation nearby.
For the return trip, there's also a plan to New Chitose Airport for those returning outside of Hokkaido.

Stay time

Most tours last 3 to 4 hours. They may be shorter due to traffic.

Point

If you just want to quickly watch through it, I think 3 hours should be enough.
However, if you have small children with you, or if you want to see the "feeding time" even if it means waiting in line, then you'll need three and a half hours.

If you want even more time, we recommend a plan that allows you to return at your preferred time, such as a tour where the return journey is by JR Limited Express train.

Option

We also offer packages that include packed lunches or meals in the surrounding area, and from spring to autumn, packages that include sightseeing in the surrounding area.

Point

It's not essential, but it certainly enhances the travel experience.
The meal-inclusive package is slightly more affordable, so you should simply choose based on whether you want to eat a sandwich or ramen on the day.
There are restaurants within the park, so if you'd prefer to enjoy one of those, this place would be out of your options.
However, it can get crowded on busy days, so a meal-inclusive plan is a good way to save time.

[2-2] Bus Tour Comparison Chart

Many different companies plan and conduct tours.
Here, we compared seven patterns from among them. (Reference...Optional tour booking site "Travel Plus One")

Plan name	Price	Departure point	Return drop-off point	Stay time	Ticket	Reservation	Remarks
Hokkaido Resort Liner [Asahiyama Zoo 1-Day Picnic Train]	High school students and above 6,700 yen Junior high school students and younger 5,000 yen	6 hotels in the city	6 hotels in the city	3 hours 40 minutes	○	必要	----
Winter Day Trip to Asahiyama Zoo	Fee * Adult: 5,000yen Elementary school students and under: 2,200 yen	Sapporo Station	Sapporo Station	3 hours 10 minutes	〇	必要	----
Limited-time special course including admission ticket to Asahiyama Zoo and round-trip bus transportation.	Fee * Adult: 3,900yen Children (ages 3 to junior high school): 2,000 yen Toddlers (0-2 years old): 500 yen	3 hotels in the city	Sapporo Station / Odori Park / Susukino / Odori Park	Approx. 4 hour	○	必要	----
Gets Liner Asahiyama Zoo Train	Fee * Adult: 4,800yen Children (ages 3 to junior high school): 2,000 yen Infants: 500 yen	3 hotels in the city	Sapporo Station / Odori Park / Susukino / Odori Park	Approx. 4 hour	〇	必要
A comprehensive winter tour of Asahiyama Zoo, the illuminated Blue Pond, and Shirahige Falls.	Fee * Adult: 5,900yen Children (ages 3 to junior high school): 5,100 yen	3 hotels in the city	Sapporo Station / Odori Park / Susukino / Odori Park	Approx. 3 hour	〇	必要	Visited the Blue Pond and the White Beard Waterfall.
Popular Asahiyama Zoo and Asahikawa Ramen Village	Fee * Adult: 5,400yen Children (ages 3 to junior high school): 4,700 yen	Sapporo Station	Sapporo Station	Approx. 3 hour	○	必要	Free time for lunch at Ramen Village
Asahiyama Zoo and the illuminated Blue Pond and Shirohige Falls ★ We'll also stop by the Biei Roadside Station "Shirogane Birke"!	Fee * Adult: 5,900yen Children (ages 3 to junior high school): 5,200 yen	Sapporo Station	Sapporo Station	Approx. 3 hour	〇	必要	Blue Pond, Shirahige Falls, and a stop at a roadside station.

[3-1] Asahikawa Airport

As of November 2015, there is one round-trip flight between Asahikawa Airport and the zoo on days the zoo is open.
The tour takes approximately 35 minutes and costs 550 yen for adults and 280 yen for children.

★Asahikawa Electric Railway Bus Line 78: Asahikawa Airport - Asahiyama Zoo Line

[Asahikawa Airport] 10:00 ⇒ [Asahiyama Zoo] 10:35
[Asahiyama Zoo] 15:10 ⇒ [Asahikawa Airport] 15:45

There's only one bus from the airport, so if you can't leave the airport by 10 AM, you'll need to rent a car or take a taxi.

[3-2] Asahikawa Station

The operating schedule from November 2015 to April 7, 2016 has been announced, so I will introduce it here.
The tour is expected to take 40-46 minutes, and the fare is 440 yen for adults and 220 yen for children.

≪Asahikawa Station ⇒ Asahiyama Zoo≫

*This information is only valid on days the park is open.
There are 11 trains running from 08:40 AM to 14:10 PM (12 trains on days when the JR "Asahiyama Zoo Train" is operating).
The bus departs from platform 6 in front of the station.

System number	departure time	arrival time
41	8:40	9:26
41	09:40	10:26
47	10:10	10:51
42	10:25	11:00
41	10:40	11:23
47	11:10	11:51
41	11:40	12:23
47	12:10	12:51
41	12:40	13:23
47	13:10	13:51
41	13:40	14:23
47	14:10	14:51

Route 41... via 4-jo Street
Route 42…Direct flight
Route 47... via 10-jo Street

≪Asahiyama Zoo ⇒ Asahikawa Station≫

There are 10 buses running from 11:30 AM (before noon) to 16:00 PM (in the evening).

System number	departure time	arrival time
41	11:30	12:13
47	12:00	12:41
41	12:30	13:13
47	13:00	13:41
41	13:30	14:13
47	14:00	14:41
41	14:30	15:13
47	15:00	15:41
41	15:30	16:13
47	16:00	16:43

Route 41... via 4-jo Street
Route 42…Direct flight
Route 47... via 10-jo Street

[3-3] Hotels in Asahikawa City

There is a bus that goes directly to Asahiyama Zoo from a bus stop near hotels in the city center of Asahikawa.
Its name is "Happy Liner".
The advantage of this system is that you are guaranteed a seat because it's reservation-only, but conversely, you cannot ride unless you make a reservation by the day before.
In addition, there is a charge for infants.
The fares are 700 yen for adults, 480 yen for children, and 260 yen for infants.

The operating schedule from November 2015 to April 7, 2016 has been announced, so please check the bus company's official website .

 

[4-1] How long is enough time to spend at the zoo?

If adults are moving quickly, it will take 2 to 2 hours. This is the minimum amount of time you should spend there.
If you're traveling with young children, 3 hours is a must.
This is because there are many hills and many features that children will enjoy.

Furthermore, if you add in the time spent queuing for "Mokumogu Time," taking photos, having lunch, and taking breaks, it comes to four hours.
If you go at your own pace, five hours will pass surprisingly quickly.

In particular, the popular polar bear feeding time may be missed even during off-peak seasons if you line up 10 minutes before it starts. If you want to be sure to see it, you should line up 20 minutes in advance. Plan your schedule considering your own pace and what you want to see.
If your schedule is unpredictable, we recommend taking the JR Limited Express train on your return trip from the "Gets Liner Asahiyama Zoo Train."
You can decide when to go home.

[4-2] Worried about needing to use the toilet while traveling by bus...

Most bus tours include a rest stop at Sunagawa Service Area.
However, the express bus (Hokkaido Chuo Bus) will proceed without any rest stops.

[Bonus Episode] Rental Car vs. Bus: Which is more economical?

For groups of three or more, renting a car is the most cost-effective option. The more people you have, the more economical it becomes.

Reference: Rental car search and reservation site " Rentalcar.com "

[New Chitose Airport] Cheapest Rental Car Information
[Sapporo] Cheapest Rental Car Information
[Asahikawa] Cheapest Rental Car Information

If you rent and return the car in Sapporo, the cheapest option is from 3,000 yen, so even including gas and parking, the total cost for everyone should be under 1 yen.
*However, rental car prices vary depending on the season and vehicle type, so it's not possible to give a general figure.

I compared the advantages and disadvantages of bus tours and rental cars.
Let's choose based on what you prioritize.

Item ＼ Means of transportation	BusTour	Rental Car
Cost	Around 5,000 yen per person	If it's just for travel expenses, it's around 1 yen per group.
Schedule	According to the set schedule	All freedom
Stay time	Most journeys take around 3 hours. They may be shortened if there are delays.	It can be made longer or shorter.
Seat comfort	Large buses like those used for school trips	Private car type
Your Privacy	団体行動	A road trip with friends
Tired	Relax while traveling	A five-hour round trip drive in an unfamiliar snowy region.
Other strengths	You don't need to worry about finding parking, and admission tickets are distributed on the bus, so you can leave many aspects to the bus tour operator.	Besides the zoo, there are other things to enjoy in Asahikawa, such as gourmet food and sightseeing, hot springs, and driving around Biei.
Other concerns	In most cases, advance reservations are required. Please note that cancellation fees may apply if you cancel your reservation after booking (please check at the time of booking).	The rental car process, including picking up and returning the car, unexpected problems during the drive, and crowded parking lots during peak seasons can all take more time and effort than you might think.

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