About this tour
When Mia from our BugBitten team ran this day trip from Sapporo, she got a solid hit of Hokkaido's countryside in one hit—no faffing about. You're driven out through Biei's famous undulating Roller Coaster Road, stop at the eerie Blue Pond (those submerged trees are genuinely odd), then cruise through the colour-splashed flower fields at Shikisai-no-Oka. A buffet lunch with famous Hokkaido melon slots in the middle. It's 8–9 hours door-to-door, and while it reads like a bucket-list tick, it's the kind of bucket-list tick that actually works—good pacing, minimal waffle, and you're back in the city by evening.
Highlights
- Roller Coaster Road: dramatic, dip-and-swell stretch of pure countryside charm.
- Blue Pond's turquoise water and ghostly submerged trunks—genuinely surreal up close.
- Shikisai-no-Oka flower fields: rolling hills painted in seasonal blooms.
- Buffet lunch includes Hokkaido melon, which tastes as sweet as the hype suggests.
- Air-conditioned van does the heavy lifting; no driving stress on you.
- Accessible for wheelchairs and prams; works for mixed-ability groups.
- Optional tractor ride through fields offers a slower, grounded vibe if you want it.
What to expect
The day starts early with a pick-up and a proper drive out of Sapporo. The Roller Coaster Road stretch is the first signal you're leaving urban life—it's genuinely pleasant, not just scenic wallpaper. Then you hit Blue Pond, and it's a bit of a 'huh' moment: the water is that vivid turquoise, the dead trees sticking up are eerie, and you'll spend 30–45 minutes wandering, photographing, and genuinely wondering how the colour got so blue. (Mineral deposits, apparently.) Lunch comes at a decent hour, and the melon is a highlight—not just tourist guff. The drive to Shikisai-no-Oka takes another stretch; the flower fields are built for this. If you're there in peak bloom (late spring through summer), they're worth the visit. The optional tractor ride is worth the small extra cost if you're not keen on walking; it's a slower, earthier pace through the colours.
What travellers say
- No driving needed—van handles the roads, you soak in the scenery.
- Blue Pond's surreal colour and dead trees are genuinely striking, not oversold.
- Melon and ice cream lift the buffet lunch beyond standard tour fare.
- Accessible design: wheelchairs, prams, mixed fitness levels all catered for.
- Good pacing: not rushed, not a slog; feels like a real day out, not a box-tick.
- Crowds at Blue Pond are thick, especially peak season—your-own-private-moment unlikely.
- Early start (pre-8 a.m. Sapporo pick-up) won't suit slow risers.
- Flower fields are truly showy only late June–July; other months are average.
- Tractor ride through fields is extra cost; walking steep sections might strain some.
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is proper countryside without needing your own wheels or a rental-car headache. The Blue Pond is genuinely stunning and photos don't quite do it—you need to see the colour shift with your own eyes. Melon and ice cream are included (if you book the lunch option), and that's not filler. Timing is good: a full day but not a gruelling one. Accessible for wheelchairs, prams, and mixed fitness levels; no scrambling or fitness gatekeeping.
Crowds at Blue Pond are real, especially peak season (spring–summer). You're sharing the experience with tour groups. The tractor ride at Shikisai-no-Oka is extra (500 JPY); walking the fields is free but steep in places. Early start means leaving Sapporo before 8 a.m.—not ideal for late risers. Weather can flip fast in Hokkaido; rain doesn't cancel the tour, so pack a layer and a jacket. The flower fields are only vibrant in season; autumn and winter visits are duller. Bring sun protection and comfortable shoes.
Transport and lunch (if selected) are included. Tractor ride is a small extra. Group size varies but expect 20–40 people. Peak bloom is late June–July for lavender and summer flowers. Winter visits possible but less visual payoff.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.