Guided Trip to Asahiyama Zoo, Furano, Biei Blue Pond, Ningle Terrace vs Mobile Wifi Rental – New Chitose Airport International Terminal: Which Tour Is Better?

Updated May 14, 2026

You land at New Chitose Airport, ready to explore Hokkaido’s northern highlights. The Asahiyama Zoo, Furano’s flower fields, Biei’s patchwork hills, the Blue Pond, and Ningle Terrace are all on your list.

You face a primary logistical decision: join a guided tour that handles transport and planning, or rent a mobile WiFi device and navigate the region independently. This choice defines your entire travel experience, from daily structure to your budget and flexibility. Your decision depends on how you prefer to travel, your budget, and how much control you want over your daily schedule.

Planning Your Hokkaido Itinerary: Key Destinations

Your planned route covers central Hokkaido’s most visited spots. Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa is Japan’s northernmost zoo, known for its innovative animal enclosures that allow close viewing of polar bears and penguins.

Furano is a rural town famous for its expansive lavender fields that bloom in July and August. Biei is a nearby area characterized by rolling hills and farmland, often called the “patchwork road” for its varied agricultural colors. The Blue Pond in Biei is a man-made water reservoir known for its unnatural, brilliant blue hue, caused by natural minerals.

Ningle Terrace is a small, forested shopping village in Furano with craft shops and cafes, designed to look like a fairy tale setting. These locations are spread across a large area, requiring significant travel time between them.

Joining a Guided Tour: Structure and Convenience

A guided tour from Sapporo or Asahikawa removes the stress of planning. Companies like Hokkaido Resort Bus and Willer Express offer one-day or multi-day tours that include Asahiyama Zoo, Furano, Biei, and sometimes the Blue Pond.

These tours use coaches and include an English-speaking guide. They handle all tickets, reservations, and a fixed schedule. You meet at a designated point in the morning and follow a set itinerary.

This option is efficient if you have limited time and prefer not to navigate public transport or drive. Tours guarantee you see the major sites without getting lost. The main drawback is the lack of flexibility; you cannot extend your time at a location you enjoy or skip a spot you find less interesting.

What a Typical Guided Tour Includes

A standard one-day tour often starts early, around 8 AM, from Sapporo. You travel by coach to Asahiyama Zoo, with allocated time to explore the penguin walk and seal tanks. The tour then proceeds to Furano for lunch and a visit to a flower farm like Farm Tomita in summer.

The afternoon includes a drive through Biei’s scenic roads with photo stops at specific viewpoints like the Seven Star Tree and Patchwork Road. The Blue Pond is a common final stop before returning to Sapporo by evening.

The tour price typically covers transport, guide services, and zoo admission. Lunch and other entrance fees are usually extra. You return to your starting point by 7 or 8 PM.

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Renting a Mobile WiFi Device: Independence and Flexibility

Renting a pocket WiFi device gives you complete control over your itinerary. You can pick one up at the New Chitose Airport International Terminal upon arrival.

Counters for providers like Ninja WiFi, Japan Wireless, and SoftBank are located in the arrivals hall. The process is straightforward: you show your reservation and passport, and they provide the device. You connect your phone, tablet, and laptop to it for unlimited internet access across Hokkaido.

This connectivity allows you to use Google Maps for navigation, translate signs, book last-minute hotels, and research restaurants. You are free to travel by rental car, train, or bus on your own schedule. You decide when to start your day, how long to spend at each location, and where to eat.

How to Get Your WiFi Device at New Chitose

The New Chitose Airport International Terminal has several rental counters on the first floor of the arrivals lobby. You will see signs for companies like JR Hokkaido Rent-a-car (which also offers WiFi) and dedicated telecom providers.

It is advisable to book your device online before your flight. This often secures a discount and guarantees availability. When you land, proceed through customs, collect your luggage, and then visit your chosen provider’s counter.

They will give you a small, portable router, a charging cable, and a return envelope. You pay the rental fee for your trip duration. The device works immediately. You return it by dropping it into any mailbox in Japan using the provided envelope before you fly out.

Transportation Options for Your Independent Trip

With a mobile WiFi device, you need to arrange your own transport. The most flexible option is renting a car from New Chitose Airport. Rental agencies like Toyota Rent-a-Car, Nippon Rent-a-Car, and Times Car Rental have counters at the airport.

Driving allows you to visit remote spots like the Blue Pond and Biei’s hills directly. The drive from Sapporo to Asahikawa takes about two hours on the Do-o Expressway. You need an International Driving Permit alongside your home license to drive in Japan.

Public transport is another option, but it is less convenient for this specific route. JR trains connect Sapporo to Asahikawa and Furano, but bus services to the Blue Pond and specific flower farms are infrequent. Your mobile WiFi is essential for checking real-time bus and train schedules.

Cost Comparison: Guided Tour vs. DIY with WiFi

The financial difference between these two options is significant. A one-day guided tour covering Asahiyama Zoo, Furano, and Biei typically costs between ¥12,000 and ¥18,000 per person. This includes the coach and guide, and often the zoo entry fee.

It does not include lunch, other attraction fees, or transport to the tour’s meeting point. Renting a mobile WiFi device costs approximately ¥1,000 to ¥1,500 per day. A rental car for the day costs roughly ¥8,000 to ¥12,000, plus tolls and fuel.

Zoo admission is ¥1,000 per adult. If you are traveling with multiple people, the DIY approach with a car and WiFi becomes more cost-effective per person. The guided tour cost is fixed per person, so it is more expensive for groups but simpler for solo travelers.

See Related: Most Breathtaking Places to Visit in the World (2026 Travel Guide)

Making the Decision: Which Option Is Right for You?

Your choice depends on your travel style. Choose a guided tour if you value convenience, want to avoid the hassle of navigation, and prefer a fixed schedule. This is a good option if you are alone, are not comfortable driving abroad, or have only one day to see everything.

Choose the mobile WiFi rental and independent travel if you prefer a flexible schedule, plan to explore beyond the standard tourist stops, or are traveling with family or a group. This option requires more initial research but rewards you with the freedom to discover Hokkaido at your own pace. Consider the season; winter driving in Hokkaido requires experience with snow and ice, which might make a guided tour the safer option from December to March.

 

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