Hokkaido Day Tour: Lake Toya, Showa Shinzan, Bear Ranch + Other Seasonal Plans or Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival (Depart from Sapporo)

Ms Catherine Lee and her Team (Driver), are very attentive & knowledgeable. We had a great trip as our guide share very informative local history & food recommendations. Will definitely come back again. Recommended. 👍

Friendly tour guide Mr Zhou Zheng. Driver drove safely. All well arranged, tour time is enough and relax.

The tour guide, Ms. Yan, was very nice, the itinerary was very rich, and we were lucky enough to have a sunny day.

We were grateful to our driver for his excellent driving skills, which ensured a smooth and safe journey. We were also grateful to our guide, Sakura, for her rich and professional knowledge and vivid introduction to Hokkaido's history, geography, and culture, making each attraction full of stories. Even more remarkable, she integrated character education into the tour. She used the first elementary school lesson, "Don't cause trouble to others," to remind us all, so that while we enjoyed our trip, we also learned respect and self-discipline. When everyone in our group boarded the bus on time, she expressed her sincere gratitude and praised us as "good people who have enough food and know how to behave." This warm gesture resonated deeply with both adults and children and created a harmonious atmosphere within the group. She made this trip more than just a quick tour, but a profound journey of spiritual enrichment. I highly recommend this excellent guide. Our first stop: Kyogoku Water Park (Fukidashi Park, 洋足のふきだし泉水), a mysterious spring park. The negative ions and forest phytoncides generated by the waterfalls are beneficial for health. Spring water gushes from the rock face, its clear, sweet water so delicious it's tempting to sip. Here, you can experience the purity of nature and enjoy a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of life. (Remember to bring empty bottles to refill!) Second Stop: Takahashi Ranch. This isn't a dairy farm, so you won't see any cows, but it's the perfect spot for taking photos of Mt. Yotei. There's a restaurant here (order at the table), and we ordered cheese risotto, which is perfect for both large and small dishes. Chocolate, ice cream, and fresh vegetables are also available (buy a vending machine and pick up a voucher at the counter). Third Stop: Lake Toya. Lake Toya boasts stunning scenery, with Nakajima offering the best views. The water is crystal clear, allowing you to clearly see the giant carp. There are ferries, duck boats, a sculpture park, and a mini footbath. You can buy feed to feed the giant black carp and waterfowl in the lake, allowing you to relax while enjoying the scenery. If you have time, taking the ferry is even more enjoyable. Otherwise, just stroll along the shore. Stop 4: Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch & Usuyama Ropeway. You can purchase a ticket to enter the Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch or ride the Usuyama Ropeway, but choosing one is recommended to avoid rushing. The bear ranch takes about five minutes to explore, but the admission price is quite high. The bears are kept in captivity. The "good bears" enjoy a comfortable life with slides, swings, a sun lounger, and a mini-pool. The "unruly bears," prone to roaring and fighting, are confined to iron bars. Unless you're a sharpshooter, they can only watch helplessly as crows devour the cookies thrown to them. To be honest, although they're all captive, the bears here are more lively than those in a zoo. Finally, we bought some special items and souvenirs recommended by our guide at the souvenir shop and arrived back in Sapporo on time. This tour is perfect for those who want convenience, a quick check-in, and a time-saving and energy-saving experience.

The driver and tour guide, Danny Liu, was very friendly and was able to introduce some local features in a timely manner (in Chinese, so it sounded stress-free). The day's activities were very comfortable and fun! Lake Toya and Kyogoku Meisui Park were very beautiful during the day's itinerary. The bear farm in Showa Shinzan is smaller than the bear farm in Noboribetsu, but if the focus is to see and feed the Ezo bears, it is still worth a visit~

Mt. Yotei is beautiful, the spring water in the Meishui Park is delicious, the bear ranch is cute, and it is very happy to drink a cup of hot cocoa by Lake Toya. The tour guide is very professional and considerate. I like the one-day itinerary like KK DAY, which is very suitable for people who are too lazy to study the self-driving route.

The hot spring area stopped for 40 minutes and the scenery was beautiful. The story is fascinating, I will come to soak in the hot springs next time

The tour leader Xiao Yan was very patient and polite, and there was plenty of time for the Icefall Festival. If we could have set off an hour later, we would have been able to see the Icefall Festival during the day and in the evening.

The tour guide was very friendly and attentive. He explained some historical stories of the attractions and things we should pay attention to on the bus. He also helped us take beautiful photos and helped us get coupons when shopping in stores. This trip was very rich and interesting.

I chose this route because I saw the Shikotsu Lake Ice Festival, and it turned out to be the right choice. The ice sculptures are quite amazing. P.S.: It is really cold by the lake, so be sure to wear more clothes.