Tour the Popular Zoo and Aquarium Together! A Luxurious Trip

Tour the Popular Zoo and Aquarium Together! A Luxurious Trip
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Days required
3 days and 2 nights
Main methods of transportation
Car

Hokkaido is incredibly vast, and by changing the airports for your arrival (IN) and departure (OUT), you can further diversify your travel experiences.

There are 12 airports in Hokkaido (including those currently not in operation).

We will introduce a unique way to travel around Hokkaido by utilizing various airports♪

〈Airports used for this trip〉

IN Airport: Memanbetsu Airport

OUT Airport: Asahikawa Airport

This is a tour that combines visits to zoos and aquariums, taking advantage of Hokkaido's unique climate and terrain.

Check out the summer clothing recommendations here!

  • * The spots and experience menus introduced in the course are subject to change. Please check the official website for the latest information.
  • * Please note that the text shown on this page includes machine translations.
Start
Day1

Memanbetsu Airport

The journey starts at Memanbetsu Airport, the gateway to Eastern Hokkaido!

There are flights to Memanbetsu Airport from Haneda Airport, New Chitose Airport, and Okadama Airport (Sapporo).

About 80 minutes by car

Lake Saroma

Admire the beautiful blue lake

Lake Saroma is the third largest lake in Japan. The lake surface is a uniquely beautiful blue color, which has been described as "Saroman Blue." As the eastern coast of Lake Saroma offers a breathtaking view of the sunset, we recommend catching the views at sunset. There is an observation deck, camp site, stores selling local specialty products, and other amenities and attractions near the lake, so the area is usually bustling with many tourists.

Address
北見市常呂町・佐呂間町・湧別町の3町
Telephone Number
0152-54-3434
Open
From April 29th to the second Monday of October, 8am to 5pm (until 6pm from June to August)

Lake Saroma Observatory

Panoramic Views Abound at Mount Horoiwa

With an altitude of 376 meters, Mount Horoiwa is the highest peak in the region and offers spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape. The out-of-the-way but totally-worth-it Lake Saroma Observatory is a scenic spot providing an expansive view of Japan’s third-largest lake. The observation deck on top of Mount Horoiwa located in the center of the coastline gives a vantage point of the Sea of Okhotsk, the Shiretoko Mountains, and more. The gradation of blues between the Okhotsk skies and seas along with the “Saroma Blue” of the lake is a breathtaking sight you can enjoy for hours on end.

Address
佐呂間町浪速
Telephone Number
01587-2-1200
Closed
Late Nov. - late Apr. (depending on snow conditions)
About 40 minutes by car

Advics Tokoro Curling Hall

The largest indoor facility dedicated to curling in Japan.

The largest indoor facility dedicated to curling in Japan, equipped with six sheets that meet international standards, has produced numerous Olympic athletes.

About 30 minutes by car

Lake Notoro Coral Grass colony・Notoroko Sangoso Festival

Superb view of the lake dyed red

“Notoroko Sangoso Festival” Held in mid Sep.


Lake Notoro, a massive saltwater lake with a surface area of 580,000 square meters, overlooks the Sea of Okhotsk in Eastern Hokkaido. When Sep. hits, the lake turns a beautiful shade of crimson, all thanks to the growth of a unique aquatic plant that locals call "Sangoso (coral grass)." The contrast between the ruby red of the coral grass and the sapphire blue of the lake is jaw-droppingly stunning and can not be missed. A wooden walking path snakes leisurely through the lake, so visitors during this special season should take a stroll through this mysterious coral-like wonder.

Address
網走市卯原内
Telephone Number
0152-47-2301
About 80 minutes by car

[Accommodation] Onneyu Hot Spring

A hot spring resort that is also a popular place to stay for tours to East Hokkaido

A well-known hot spring known by those in the know with a history of over 100 years. All of the hot spring water is free-flowing from the source, and is known for its anti-aging properties and skin whitening and beautifying properties. One-day bathing is also available, making it a great place to casually enjoy the hot spring on a road trip. The area is also dotted with places famous for their flowers, such as Ezomurasaki azalea in early May and Japanese honeysuckle in summer, and the Nezu-no-oka Garden offers a variety of flowers from spring to summer.

Address
北見市留辺蘂町温根湯温泉
Telephone Number
0157-45-2921
Day2
About 10 minutes by car

Northern Daichi Aquarium

The large tank where natural taimen (Ito) over 1 meter long swim is a must-see.

An aquarium where you can see fish behaving naturally in an environment close to their natural habitat. In Japan's first tank where you can look up at a waterfall from below, you can observe fish swimming desperately against the strong current. Additionally, the large tank where taimen over 1 meter long swim is the largest taimen tank in Japan and is truly impressive. There are also unique exhibits such as tanks that freeze like natural rivers in winter, allowing you to see rare displays that are not usually visible.

Address
北見市留辺蘂町松山1-4道の駅おんねゆ温泉エリア内
Telephone Number
0157-45-2223
Open
9:00-17:30
Closed
April 8 - April 14, December 2nd Monday - Friday, December 31, January 1
About 120 minutes by car

Ueno Farm (Hokkaido Garden Path)

Based on a British-style garden, a "Hokkaido Garden" that utilizes the local climate and natural features.

Ueno Farm is an original "Hokkaido Garden" that takes a British-style garden as its base and incorporates Hokkaido's climate and natural environment. The garden, with its natural atmosphere spreading at the foot of a hill, was created with care by the Ueno Sayuki family, who designed the garden that appeared in the TV drama "Kaze no Garden" (Garden of Wind), which was set in Furano. In the garden, where the flowers that bloom change with the passing seasons, you might even see ducks and chickens taking a stroll. Mt. Shatsu, which stretches out behind the garden, is known as a "Lovers' Sanctuary" where couples are said to find happiness. Why not extend your visit to the large weeping willow, the symbolic tree of the mountain?

Address
旭川市永山町16-186
Telephone Number
0166-47-8741
Open
Late April to mid-October (closed in winter)
Business hours: 10:00-17:00
Closed
Open all year round (closed in winter from late Oct. to late Apr.)
About 15 minutes by car

Otokoyama Sakezukuri Museum

350 Years of Sake Excellence

Otokoyama began brewing sake in the Kansai region during the Edo period (1603-1868) before moving to Hokkaido to take advantage of the famously pure waters of Mount Daisetsu. Explore the museum’s three floors for an exciting insider look at the brewing process, tastings of Monde Selection sake, traditional Ukiyo-e block-print art connected to the brand, and seasonal activities for the whole family. Be sure to pose for pictures in an Otokoyama happi (traditional Japanese coat) in the lovely front yard, overflowing with seasonal flowers in the warmer seasons and glistening and snow-covered in the winter!

Address
旭川市永山2条7-1-33
Telephone Number
0166-47-7080
Open
9:00-17:00
Closed
The New Year's holiday
About 10 minutes by car

Asahikawa Ramen Village

The Tastiest Village in Hokkaido

The Asahikawa Ramen Village is a collection of eight popular shops that serve Asahikawa-style ramen, one of the unique ramen varieties created in Hokkaido. Each restaurant has its own special take on the broth recipe, but the base remains the same: thick tonkotsu pork broth blended with soy sauce and seafood dashi. Asahikawa ramen noodles tend to be thin and firm, making for a delectable medley when slurped up with the thick and flavorful soup. The restaurants in the ramen village also serve up half-sizes for those looking to sample multiple shops’ recipes. Don’t forget to stop by the Ramen Village Shrine and the Ramen Bowl Bench for an adorable photo-op.

Address
旭川市永山11条4丁目119-48
Telephone Number
0166-48-2153
Open
11:00-20:00
Closed
(Depends on the store)

[Accommodation] Asahikawa

Day3
About 30 minutes by car

Asahiyama Zoo

Japan's northernmost zoo where you can see animals living vibrantly.

This zoo is famous for its "behavioral displays," creating comfortable spaces tailored to the animals' ecology and showcasing their natural behaviors. You can witness penguins freely swimming through an underwater tunnel in the "Penguin House," seals moving up and down a cylindrical tank in the "Seal House," polar bears making powerful dives into their pool in the "Polar Bear House," orangutans nimbly moving through the air in a 17-meter-high tower in the "Orangutan House," hippos swimming as seen from directly below in the "Hippo House," and animals living vibrantly in exhibits unique to a Hokkaido zoo such as the "Red-crowned Crane House," "Ezo Deer Forest," and "Hokkaido Native Animal House." In 2022, the "Ezo Brown Bear House" opened, allowing visitors to closely observe Hokkaido's representative wild animals in an indoor enclosure modeled after Shiretoko.

Among the highlights is "Mogumogu Time" (feeding time), where you can observe the animals in their natural feeding behaviors – a must-see! The schedule is decided on the morning of the event, so it's recommended to check the notice boards within the zoo or the official website to plan your route accordingly.

Seasonal events are also appealing. The "Night Zoo," held only during the Bon Festival period in summer, is a summer tradition where the zoo stays open at night. You might see animals sleeping, nocturnal birds of prey actively moving, and even hear the howling of wolves. During the winter snowfall, the "Penguin Walk" offers a charming sight of penguins waddling freely along a course without fences.

Address
旭川市東旭川町倉沼
Telephone Number
0166-36-1104
Open
9:30-17:15 (admission until 16:00) *Hours may be shortened depending on the season.
Closed
Nov. 4-Nov. 10, Dec. 30-Jan. 1
About 20 minutes by car

Asahikawa Airport

Goal
  • Lake Saroma
  • Lake Saroma Observatory
  • Lake Notoro Coral Grass colony・Notoroko Sangoso Festival
  • [Accommodation] Onneyu Hot Spring
  • Northern Daichi Aquarium
  • Ueno Farm (Hokkaido Garden Path)
  • Otokoyama Sakezukuri Museum
  • Asahikawa Ramen Village
  • Asahiyama Zoo

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