We took the 7:48am train and arrived at Asahikawa at about 9:15am. As the first bus heading to the zoo is departing at 9:25am from the bus stop "near" the Asahikawa JR station, we had to double quick step walking to the bus stop, starting from the minute we got down the train. Managed to snap a few pictures along the way even though we were carrying a big backpack for our trip for the next few days.
Finally saw the bus stop with a short queue already forming.
In just a short while, the bus came. luckily we manage to make it in time for this bus, in order to get to the zoo early to avoid any long queue. You would notice from the picture below there is some condensation on my camera due to the heat and cold air transitioning between the warm train interior to the cold outside. This is no good and the condensation took a while to go away. But by the time we got on the bus, the heat is back again and then getting down the bus, the cold air will be back again...this hot and cold is making my camera going crazy even though it is an all weather camera (Nikon AW100).
As we were on the first bus to the zoo, there's no one else except those on the same bus when we arrived at the zoo. The bus ride (Asahikawa Denki Kido Bus 42) took about 30 minutes and cost 400 yen.
According to information found online, a taxi ride from Asahikawa train station to the zoo is going to cost at least several thousand yen, so only consider this option if unavoidable.
Here's the ticketing counter. An adult ticket costs 800 yen and it is free for children (up to secondary school level). As we were early, there wasn't a long queue. The queue starts to build up to pretty long within 15 mins or so (about 10:15am) when the crowds start to arrive via tour buses.
Here's the big lockers area just on the left after entering the zoo. We left our big backpack in one of these lockers. Big enough for both big backpacks to go in.
In case there is not enough of the lockers at the entrance, here's more of them in a temporary (kind of) building just a short distance from the entrance (on the right hand side after entering).
The Penguin Parade starts at 11am each day and as shown in the picture, visitors already started to line the parade path after the zoo gate opened.
Had a simple lunch of ramen in the cafe at the building complex next to the sea lion enclosure.
The building at the top of the hill is the East Entrance (or exit for those who are taking hotel free shuttle heading to Sounkyo). You can either walk up the stairs or take the free zoo shuttle bus at the bus stop shown in the foreground of the picture (small black rectangular building).
Reached the East Entrance by about 2:45pm to wait for the free Choyotei Resort shuttle bus which should be leaving the East Entrance at 3pm. As the Choyotei Resort shuttle bus is by reservation, so we can be assured of a seat as I had made the reservation as soon as I booked a room with the resort. When the bus arrived, it was already full of people who started the bus journey from Asahikawa station. As the bus made its way to Sounkyo, can't really see anything out from the window as the window is fogged out by the heating. When the bus reached the first Choyo Resort in Sounkyo, went down the bus to snap a picture of the mountain. After the passengers staying at Choyo Resort alighted, the bus continue to the final destination; Choyotei Resort, which is another 5 minutes away up the hill.
Here we are at the Choyotei Resort.
Dinner is buffet style.
After dinner, waited for the free shuttle bus going down the hill to the Sounkyo Ice Festival venue. When we arrived at the bus stop at about 7:35pm, just a short 1 min ride down the hill, it was snowing very heavily with strong wind blowing down the Sounkyo valley, so even with an umbrella it was of no use. As it was snowing heavily, the firework display was really disappointing, can't really see much or hear much with the wind and snow. Headed back to the hotel by about 8:30pm. Tried the onsen (for the very first time) in the hotel. Interesting experience!
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