There is an image that a bus tour is about “enjoying sightseeing in a group with a guide.”
Recently, “day-trip bus tours” for single travelers are becoming popular.
Here, we recommend five selected bus tours to enjoy Hokkaido in winter.
Please do refer to it when visiting Hokkaido!
※This information was updated in October 2016.
＜Overview＞
1.【Limited Terms】Drifting Ice Day-Trip Bus Tour departing from Sapporo
2.【Popular even in Winter】Bus Tour to Asahiyama Zoo departing from Sapporo
3.【Event】Shikotsu Lake Hyoto Festival Bus Tour departing from Sapporo
4.【Classic】Half-Day Bus Tour within Sapporo
5.【Really Useful!】Otaru&Sapporo Bus Tour
1.【Limited Terms】Drifting Ice Day-Trip Bus Tour departing from Sapporo
“Monbetsu,” going around the land of drift ice. On a “day-trip bus tour to board the drift-ice icebreaker ship, ‘Garinko-go II’,” you can see the winter “drift ice” on a day trip from Sapporo.
It is a popular tour every year, which includes a ticket for the popular drift-ice icebreaker ship in Monbetsu, “Garinko-go II.”
The drift ice tour is popular because drift ice that comes to the Sea of Okhotsk can be seen up close.
The way the boat advances forward by crushing the drift ice that lies in front of it with a drill is an amazing sight!
Among these, Garinko-go II, which departs from Monbetsu, has evolved from the first generation model, and is now able to go even farther.
Due to the limited capacity on the boat, it is difficult to get tickets as individuals.
The tour originates from and returns to Sapporo, and includes a boxed lunch!
Since it is a day trip on a bus, drift ice tour has become easily accessible.
Would you like to enjoy a winter-only activity?
| 【Time Schedule】 6:30 Departs at Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel ▼▼▼▼▼ 6:45 Departs at Sapporo ANA Hotel ▼▼▼▼▼ 7:00 Departs at JR Sapporo Station North Gate Bell Square ▼▼▼▼▼ Driving Through Douou Driving Route ▼▼▼▼▼ ＊Sunagawa Service Area (15 minutes break) ▼▼▼▼▼ ＊MIchi-no-station Taki-no-ue (15 minutes break) ▼▼▼▼▼ Ride Monbetsu『Drifting Ice Garinko GoII』(60 minutes) ▼▼▼▼▼ Tokkari Center・Okhotsk Tower (Pay by yourself）(60 minutes) ▼▼▼▼▼ Marukaichi Fish Store (20 minutes) ▼▼▼▼▼ Idetsuka Fish Market（The Gift : Crab Mayonnaise Boll・20 minutes) ▼▼▼▼▼ Break (2 places) ▼▼▼▼▼ Arrives at Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel ▼▼▼▼▼ Arrives at Sapporo ANA Hotel ▼▼▼▼▼ Arrives at JR Sapporo Station North Gate |
～Course Information～
＜Hosting Company：Sapporo Express Club Get’s＞
Tour Name： ≪Monbetsu≫ Hanging Around the Drifting Ice ~Drifting Ice Garinko Go II~ A Day-trip Bus Tour
Hosting Day：January 28th to 29th 2017 and February 1st to March 13th, 2017
Hosting Member：From a person
Estimated Hours：About 13 Hours (Planned)
Reservation Number：011-272-7020
Admission Fee：
Adult – JPY 10,900
Children – JPY 10,400
Furthermore, the same company can make arrangements for Abashiri drift ice icebreaker ship cruise, “Drift ice sightseeing & icebreaker ship ‘Aurora’ & enjoying drift ice at Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum.”
No need to worry about lunch since it is included, as well as a visit to the Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum, which was just renovated in the summer of 2015, and a free original soft-serve ice cream.
There are not many stops on the itinerary, aside from rest stops, and the trip is truly focused on drift ice!
You can enjoy the excitement of anticipation on the way there, and on the way back, you can reminisce about the events of the day.
| 【Time Schedule】 7:10 Departs at Sapporo ANA Hotel ▼▼▼▼▼ Driving Through Douou Driving Route ▼▼▼▼▼ Sunagawa Service Area (15 minutes break) ▼▼▼▼▼ Pipputaisetsu Parking Area (15 minutes break) ▼▼▼▼▼ Michi-no-station Maruseppu (20 minutes break) ▼▼▼▼▼ Okhotsk Drifting Ice Museum（40 minutes） ▼▼▼▼▼ Ride the Abashiri『Drifting Ice Aurora Go』（60 minutes） ▼▼▼▼▼ Michi-no-station Maruseppu (20 minutes break) ▼▼▼▼▼ Pipputaisetsu Parking Area (15 minutes break) ▼▼▼▼▼ Sunagawa Service Area (15 minutes break) ▼▼▼▼▼ 21:00 Arrives at JR Sapporo Station North Gate |
～Course Information～
＜Hosting Company：Sapporo Express Club Get’s＞
Tour Name：From Sapporo : ≪Abashiri≫Drifting Ice Aurora Go＆Okhotsk Drifting Ice Museum
Hosting Day：Febrary to March
Hosting Member：from a person
Estimated Hours：about 15 hours（planned）
Reservation TEL：011-272-7020
Admission：
Adults – JPY 11,980
Children – JPY 11,480
Make a reservation from here!!!
2.【Popular even in Winter】Bus Tour to Asahiyama Zoo departing from Sapporo
Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa is enjoyable year round. However, it is most popular in winter.
The reason is… as the northern most zoo in Japan, Asahiyama Zoo houses many animals from cold areas.
You can see lively figures in behavior exhibits, such as the famous “Penguin Walk” in winter.
Exhibits that bring out the “ecology of wild animals,” rather than the standard “zoo” set-up, are another highlight.
In addition, there are many fun events for all ages and genders such as explanations with handwritten notes and “Mogu Mogu Time (feeding).”
Through the unique characteristics of northern country’s “zoo in snow,” you can enjoy an unusual experience that is fun because it is cold!
When visiting Hokkaido in winter, many people will probably consider a visit to Asahiyama Zoo. However, driving in winter can be very dangerous, especially if there is snow.
With this day-trip bus tour, “Asahiyama Doubutsuen Go 1-day Picnic-go,” there is no need for such worry.
It conveniently originates from Sapporo, a major tourist spot, and a short duration of a day trip is also attractive!
The cost of the tour includes the ticket to Asahiyama Zoo.
The tour departs from numerous hotels within Sapporo city, which makes traveling and making other plans very easy.
Let’s go see the energetic animals!
| 【Time Schedule】 8:00 Departs at Hotel My-stays Premium Sapporo Park ▼▼▼▼▼ 8:10 Departs at Sapporo EXCEL Hotel Tokyu ▼▼▼▼▼ 8:20 Departs at Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel ▼▼▼▼▼ 8:35 Departs at Century Royal Hotel ▼▼▼▼▼ 8:45 Departs at Hotel New Otani Inn Sapporo ▼▼▼▼▼ 8:55 Departs at Sapporo ANA Hotel ▼▼▼▼▼ Iwamizawa SA（10 minutes break） ▼▼▼▼▼ 11:40 Arrives at Asahiyama Zoo (planned) ▼▼▼▼▼ 15:20 Departs at Asahiyama Zoo ▼▼▼▼▼ Sunagawa Highway Oasis (about 20 minutes break) ▼▼▼▼▼ 18:30～19:30 Arrives at Each Sapporo Region Hotels （Art Hotels Sapporo・Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel・Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel・Century Royal Hotel・Hotel New Otani Inn Sapporo・Sapporo ANA Hotel） |
～Course Information～
＜Hosting Company：Hokkaido Access Network＞
Tour Name：Asahiyama Zoo 1DAY Picnic Go
Hosting Days：November11th, 2016 to April 9th , 2017
※Closing Days：December 30th, 2016 to January 1st, 2017
Hosting Member：from a person
Estimated Hours：10 and a half hours (This time is when you go back to Sapporo. After that, it will take an hour to get to the hotel)
Reservation TEL：011-219-4411
Admission：
Adults【Above 12 years old】- JPY 6,480
Children【From 3 to 12 years old】- JPY 4,860
※Infant (below 2 years old) will be free and no seats
。
3.【Event】Shikotsu Lake Hyoto Festival Bus Tour departing from Sapporo
It is almost time for the most popular winter event in Hokkaido, Lake Shikotsu Hyoto Festival.
“Hyoto Festival” is popular for illumination in the north country. In 2017, it will be held between Friday, January 27th and Sunday, February 19th.
An ice sculpture created by a jet of “Lake Shikotsu Blue,” the lake water with high clarity, from a sprinkler is the main feature in Lake Shikotsu.
When it is illuminated, you can easily tell the clarity of the water. During the day, it shines in “blue” color, the inherent color of Lake Shikotsu.
This is the only place where you can see ice sculptures in a variety of sizes.
During the event period, there will also be firework shows over the winter night sky and events on stage such as a Hyoto wedding!
Every year, many tourists come to get a glimpse of this natural formative art.
Lake Shikotsu is easily accessible, about a 40-minute drive from Sapporo.
“Shikotsu-ko Hyoto Matsuri Go” is recommended for those who was too hesitant to “drive in winter” and could not go.
You must check out the“limited time only bus tours,” which operates only during the event period!
In addition, it will be hugely convenient if you choose to stay at a hotel where the tour bus comes to pick up participants.
Your precious trip to Hokkaido. Selecting a bus tour to enjoy the benefits and highlights of winter allows you to effectively spend your time.
| 【行程】 14:10 Departs at Sapporo EXCEL Hotel Tokyu ▼▼▼▼▼ 14:20 Departs at Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel ▼▼▼▼▼ 14:35 Departs at Century Royal Hotel ▼▼▼▼▼ 16:00 Arrives at Lake Shikotsu (Lake Shikotsu Hyoto Festival / Free to watch it) ▼▼▼▼▼ 18:00 Departs at Lake Shikotsu ▼▼▼▼▼ 19：25～19:50 Arrives at Sapporo Region Hotels Available hotels for pick-up：Sapporo EXCEL Hotel Tokyu・Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel ・Century Royal Hotel） |
～Course Information～
＜Hosting Company：Hokkaido Access Network＞
Tour name：Lake Shikotsu Hyoto Festival Go
Hosting Days：Half-Day Course（January 27th , 2017~Febrary 19th, 2017）
Hosting Members：From a person
Estimated Hours：five and a half hours (planned)
Reservation TEL：011-219-4411
Admission：
Adults【Above 12 years old】- JPY 4,300
Children【From 3 to 12 years old】- JPY 3,300
※Infant (below 2 years old) will be free and no seats
4.【Classic】Half-Day Bus Tour within Sapporo
You can efficiently go around the classic sightseeing spots with this “Half-day Sapporo city bus tour.”
It offers a satisfying experience by taking you on a sightseeing course that you cannot possibly complete on your own.
The tour includes driving by major architectural sights such as the former Hokkaido government office in Sapporo, Odori Park, and former Sapporo Court of Appeal.
In addition, you will visit Shiroi Koibito Park, a famous Hokkaido dessert, and Central Wholesale Market for some shopping and eating fresh seafood.
You will have lunchtime at the market to freely choose what you want to eat.
It is very convenient that you can do your shopping while you are on this tour!
You can extravagantly use your time by participating in this half-day tour on your last day, finish shopping for souvenirs, and relax at the airport.
Hokkaido Shrine is said to have the greatest number of worshippers in Hokkaido. You will also be stopping here for a visit.
The dignified building seems to give blessing, simply by looking at them.
Let’s receive some power from a recently popular “power spot.”
Due to being extremely busy, this tour did not include a stop at Hokkaido Shrine from mid January to early February.
Instead, 10 minutes at Shiroi Koibito Park and 15 minutes at the Central Wholesale Market Outside Market are added to the tour.
Therefore, please do try this awesome half-day tour!
| 【Time Schedule】 8:50 Departs at Sapporo Station Bus Terminal ▼▼▼▼▼ Watch the Former Hokkaidō Government Office and Odori Park from the car ▼▼▼▼▼ 9:20～9:45 Go around the Hokkaidō Shrine ▼▼▼▼▼ 10:10～11:10 Go around the White lover Park ▼▼▼▼▼ 11:35～12:55 Go around the Sapporo Central Wholesale Market (Shopping and Lunch) ▼▼▼▼▼ Go around the Hokkaidō Museum of Modern Art and Sapporo Government Office ▼▼▼▼▼ 13:10 Sapporo Clock Tower ▼▼▼▼▼ 13:15 Arrives at Sapporo Station Bus Terminal |
～Course Information～
＜Hosting Company：Hokkaido Chuo Bus＞
Tour Name：A～Sapporo Morning Trip~ White Lover Park and Central Wholesale Market
Hosting Date：Half-Day Trip（December 1st, 2016 to March 31st, 2017）
※Stops at January 1st , 2017 to January 3rd, 2017
Hosting Member：from a person – you should make a reservation 3 days before the tour at 18:00
Estimated Hours：4 hours and 25 minutes（planned）
Reservation TEL：03-6866-9608
Adults【Above 12 years old】- JPY 2,600
Children【From 3 to 12 years old】- JPY 1,300
5.【Really Useful!】Otaru&Sapporo Bus Tour
This is the convenient tour originating from Century Royal Hotel, Hotel New Otani in Sapporo, Art Hotels Sapporo, Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel, and Tokyo Dome Hotel Sapporo!
This offers a nice plan for the last day of your trip or if you are looking to sightsee between Sapporo and Otaru.
The tour allows more time in places that are enjoyable for everyone such as Otaru Canal, Kitaichi Glass, and Orgel Doh, Co., Ltd.
Winter in Otaru features an amazing scenery combining fantastical feel with “snow.”
Make your own selection during the independent lunchtime in Otaru. You can enjoy fresh seafood at “Otaru Zushi,” or perhaps a meal at a nice café.
In addition to Otaru Canal, you can buy your souvenirs at Otaru’s famous regional Sake distillery, “Tanaka Shuzo,” and Hokkaido’s famous dessert manufacturer, “Shiroi Koibito Park.”
Tanaka Shuzo is a must-stop shop for alcohol-lovers because it offers a wide selection of alcoholic beverages including Sake, wine, and other drinks that women typically like. They make great souvenirs!
You can increase your travel efficiency by shopping while you sightsee.
This is the best tour, by allowing you to get to the airport at the same time.
Please consider taking this tour to conclude your trip!
| 【Time Schedule】 8:30 Departs at Century Royal Hotel ▼▼▼▼▼ 08:40 Departs at Hotel New Otani Inn Sapporo ▼▼▼▼▼ 08:53 Departs at Art Hotels Sapporo ▼▼▼▼▼ 09:03 Departs at Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel ▼▼▼▼▼ 09:10 Departs at Tokyo Dome Hotel Sapporo ▼▼▼▼▼ 10:00 Go around the Yujiro Ishihara Memorial Museum（※Optional） ▼▼▼▼▼ 10:50 Departs at Yujiro Ishihara Memorial Museum ▼▼▼▼▼ 10:55 Arrives at Otaru Kitaichi Glass Parking Lot（Lunch and Sightseeing） ※you will arrive at 10:05 if you don’t go Yujiro Ishihara Memorial Museum ▼▼▼▼▼ 13:00 Departs at Otaru Kitaichi Glass Parking Lot ▼▼▼▼▼ 13:20 Arrives at Hokkaido Wine Factory ▼▼▼▼▼ 13:50 Departs at Hokkaido Wine Factory ▼▼▼▼▼ 14:30 Arrives at White Lover Park ▼▼▼▼▼ 15:30 Departs at White Lover Park ▼▼▼▼▼ 16:30 Arrives at New Chitose Airport |
～Course Information～
＜Hosting Company：Hokkaido Access Network＞
Tour Name：Hokkaido Resort Liner【Buy－Bye Sapporo・Otaru＆Chitose Go】
2017 Winter
Hosting Day：January 21st, 2017 to March 31st, 2017
Hosting Member：from a person – you should make a reservation 3 days before the tour
Estimated Time：7hours and 40 minutes（planned）
Reservation Number：03-6866-9608
Admission：
Adults【Above 12 years old】- JPY 5,800
Children【From 3 to 12 years old】- JPY 4,800
※Bus fee included
Summary
We have described some of the popular bus tours thus far.
By simply adding a bit of flavor to your individual trip, you can drastically change how you spend your time.
In order to make your precious trip more meaningful, cleverly use bus tours, and create many unforgettable memories!
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