For those traveling from Sapporo to Asahiyama Zoo, I highly recommend the JR limited express train, the "Asahiyama Zoo Train"!
This train is incredibly popular thanks to its fun design, which looks like something straight out of a picture book has been turned into a train.

But you might have questions like: When does it run? Where can I make a reservation? By when do I need to make a reservation? What's the interior like?

Here, based on our actual experience of booking and riding the "Asahiyama Zoo Train," we'll give you a detailed guide on how to enjoy it!

[1] What is the "Asahiyama Zoo Train"?

The "Asahiyama Zoo Train" is an express train that connects Sapporo Station and Asahikawa Station.
The train is popular for its exterior, which is decorated with illustrations by a children's book author from Asahikawa, and its interior, which creates a zoo-like atmosphere with cushions and a play area!

Here's an overview.

[1-1] Operating days

It does not operate every day, but only on days when there are many users.
Since it varies from year to year, here's a general overview of past trends.

• During peak season (July to October), it operates almost every weekend, on Saturdays and Sundays.
• They often operate during summer vacation, winter vacation (New Year's holiday), and spring vacation.
  (In 2016, the spring break service ran from March 19th (Sat) to March 27th (Sun).)
• In addition, public holidays and long weekends

Even on weekends, there are no services during periods of low ridership.

For example, in February 2016, the service ran daily from February 6th (Saturday) to February 11th (Thursday, public holiday), coinciding with the Sapporo Snow Festival.
After that, there were no services on weekends either, and the next service day was Saturday, March 19th, the first day of the three-day weekend in March.

[1-2] Section (stopping stations), timetable, number of trains running

There is one flight departing from Sapporo in the morning and one flight departing from Asahikawa in the evening.
Basically, it's just one round trip.

Timetable from March 26, 2016

morning…
[08:30] Sapporo Station ⇒ [09:03] Iwamizawa Station ⇒ [09:32] Takikawa Station ⇒ [10:09] Asahikawa Station

evening…
[15:42] Asahikawa Station [16:16] Takikawa Station ⇒ [16:46] Iwamizawa Station ⇒ [17:22] Sapporo Station
*The latest timetable isOfficial websitePlease check here.

[1-3] Fees

A JR train ticket, express train fare, and reserved seat fee for the travel section are required.
(All seats on the Asahiyama Zoo train are reserved.)

*Previously, reserved seating fees varied between off-peak and peak seasons, but from March 26, 2016 onwards, the fee is a flat rate of 520 yen for adults and 260 yen for children.

[Regular fare] *One way

Adults: 4,810 yen, Children: 2,400 yen.
(Includes: one-way train ticket, reserved seat fee, and express train surcharge)

However, there are ways to use it even more affordably.

[Round-trip discount applies] *Round trip

Adults: 6,120 yen, Children: 3,060 yen
(Includes: round-trip train ticket, reserved seat fee, and express train fee)

*It is also possible to schedule the outbound and return journeys on different days.
(For example, arriving in Asahikawa on Saturday and departing from Asahikawa on Sunday)
However, it cannot be used on days when Asahiyama Zoo is closed.
Planned closure period as of February 2016:
April 8th to April 10th / November 4th to November 10th / December 30th to January 1st of the following year

[Asahiyama Zoo Access Ticket] *Round trip

Adults: 6,450 yen, Children: 3,220 yen
(Includes: round-trip train ticket, reserved seat fee, express train fee, and round-trip bus ticket between Asahikawa Station and Asahiyama Zoo)

*However, the "Asahiyama Zoo Access Ticket" cannot be used during the zoo's closure period.
Planned closure dates as of February 2016:
April 8th to April 10th / November 4th to November 10th / December 30th to January 1st of the following year

[1-4] Reservation

Tickets go on sale at 10:1 AM one month before the scheduled departure date.
It gets extremely crowded during the Obon holiday period, so it's best to secure tickets on the release date.

・For in-person counter service, go to the "Midori no Madoguchi" (Green Window) or a participating travel agency.
・If you call,JR Hokkaido Telephone Reservation Center'

・For online reservations, go to " JR Hokkaido Reservation Service " > "Customers who have decided on the train they wish to reserve".

[1-5] Reserved seating

Seat selection is available.
Whether you book in person at the counter, by phone, or online, you can freely choose from the currently available seats.
(You can also leave it to the machine. You can also specify general instructions such as "place them all together.")

Each car of the Asahiyama Zoo Train has a different design.
We'll introduce the detailed features of each vehicle in the ride experience report that follows, so please find your favorite seat!

[2] My impressions after riding it

On Sunday, October 18, 2015, I went to Asahiyama Zoo for the first time!

We had so much fun, running around and snapping pictures like crazy, and now we're completely exhausted...
But there was another treat waiting for us that evening.
That's the "Asahiyama Zoo Train" that I'll be taking to return to Sapporo!

I saw how cute the interior of the train looked on TV, and I really wanted to ride it.
The fact that the design was created by Hiroshi Abe, the author of my favorite picture book "One Stormy Night," was also appealing.

 

[2-1] I tried making a reservation online.

I tried making an online reservation about two weeks ago.
The fact that you need to register as a member is a bit of a hassle... but once you've registered, it's a breeze from then on.
Also, I didn't receive any newsletters or anything like that after registering, so those who are hesitant about registering can rest assured.

(However, if you don't want to go through the hassle of online procedures, or if you feel uneasy unless you receive your ticket immediately after payment, we recommend making a reservation at a "Midori no Madoguchi" (ticket office).)

The good thing about online reservations is that you can take your time choosing a seat while checking how many seats are occupied and which ones are available.

When I made my reservation, about half of the slots were already booked.
However, since my friend and I were sitting next to each other, we had a certain degree of freedom in choosing our seats.

(If you want to book seats side-by-side for 3 or more people, or book seats together as a group, it's best to apply one month before the tickets go on sale!)

[2-2] Exchange your ticket at the station!

Simply making a reservation online does not constitute a ticket, so you cannot board the train.
You will receive an email after making a reservation.

• Reservation number
• Phone number registered at the time of booking
• Credit card used at the time of booking
• (If you are eligible for any discounts, please bring proof or discount voucher.)

You will need to take these items to exchange them.
You can choose your preferred exchange location, and I chose the "JR Asahikawa Station" ticket window.

The email stated that tickets should be redeemed at least 20 minutes before departure, so I arrived at the station about 40 minutes early.
It's a large station, but the passageways are wide and the signs are clear, so you can easily find your way to the "Midori no Madoguchi" (ticket office).

I thought I had plenty of time to spare, but there were about five people in line, which made me a little anxious...!
I think I waited for a little over 10 minutes.
Well, it was a bit of a scare, but I successfully got my train ticket and express train ticket!

Since it wasn't a long weekend and it was a Sunday in autumn, the wait time was only this long.
However, during peak seasons like summer vacation, it might be safer to arrive an hour in advance.

There are large coin lockers inside the station.
If you're going to exchange your ticket at Asahikawa Station, it might be a good idea to arrive early, leave your large luggage at the station, and then do some eating and shopping around the station area if you have some free time.

 

[2-3] Finally meeting it at the station! Exterior view to boarding

Now, let's head to the platform.

Today's Asahiyama Zoo Train departs from Platform 5! Climb the stairs and...

 

There it is! The Asahiyama Zoo Train I've always dreamed of! Each carriage is adorned with a different illustration by Hiroshi Abe.
Mr. Abe is actually a former zookeeper at Asahiyama Zoo.
The fantastical yet accurate descriptions are wonderful.

 

[2-4] An exciting exploration inside the car

Let's start by looking inside the first car, "The Savannah of the Grasslands."

The first car isn't a passenger compartment, but a free space where children can play!

▼In the carpeted area, you can watch videos, read picture books from the bookshelf, or eat your own snacks. (Snack Corner)
There was also a ball pit shaped like a hippo.

 

▼At the stamp corner, you can collect five commemorative stamps.

 

Cars 2 through 5 are passenger cars.

▼The doors and the spaces between the windows are decorated with paintings that match the theme of each train car.
Also, there's an animal footprint quiz on the floor!

▼Even the seat covers are full of zoo-like themes!

 

▼Each train car has a "Hug Hug Chair" where you can take commemorative photos with animals!

I think this will get any girl excited, not just kids.
At least we adults loved it so much that we tried out every single Hug Hug Chair in every carriage! (Luckily it was a day with few passengers!)

 

[2-5] In-car service, thoughtful details

Now, after taking commemorative photos in the Hug Hug Chair, we took our seats.

▼If you look closely, you'll see something written on the underside of the seat table.

Little bits of information about the animals living at Asahiyama Zoo! These kinds of thoughtful touches are really nice.
▼After a while, an attendant handed out "boarding certificates"!

If you cut out the right half of this sheet and assemble it, it will become an animal!

 

▼When I went to the restroom along the way, I found another clever feature!

When you put your face in front of the monkey head in the mirror, lo and behold, you get the feeling of being in disguise!

 

The journey from Asahikawa Station to Sapporo Station takes exactly 100 minutes.

Up until a certain point, the scenery is wide open with few houses. As you approach Sapporo, the area becomes more bustling.

And finally, at 17:46, we arrived at Sapporo Station! It's hard to say goodbye, but it's time to leave this picture book world behind.

This is the first time I've ever been on a train that's this much fun just to ride! Thank you so much for a wonderful time, Asahiyama Zoo Train!

▼Finally, I tried taking a panoramic photo at Sapporo Station. (Click to enlarge)

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