This Hokkaido Penguin Walk is the Cutest Thing To Do This Winter

Last Updated on March 5, 2026 by Charlotte

Penguins pass by as visitors raise cameras along the snowy route.

The Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk in Asahikawa is one of the cutest winter experiences in Hokkaido. Twice a day in peak season, King penguins and Gentoo penguins waddle out onto the snow for a little penguin parade around the zoo, complete with belly-slides, curious detours toward the crowd, and the world’s most ridiculous flippered footsteps. We visited in February during a full-on blizzard, and in this blog post I’ll cover penguin walk times, best viewing spots, admission, how to get there by bus, and practical winter tips so you can actually enjoy it (with feeling in your toes).

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What It’s Like to See the Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk

If you’re new to the blog, it’s my dream to visit Antarctica, to see a real-life penguin in the wild (and hey, if you happen to run an Antarctic cruise company, please hit me up)! But, it can’t just be any old penguin! The two largest penguin species are my favorite — the Emperor and King penguins, with their cute orange and yellow faces and tuxedo suits!

Single King penguin stands in fresh snow beneath a snowy rock ledge.

But since Antarctica is… a bit far, I was thrilled to learn that winter in Hokkaido has its own penguin magic. A few places in Hokkaido run penguin walks — including the Noboribetsu Marine Park, Otaru Aquarium, and Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa — and the Asahiyama Zoo penguin walk ended up being one of the most adorable things we did on our trip to Hokkaido!

Crowd gathered behind the route as penguins approach through falling snow.

It was a blizzard morning in February, and we huddled together on the Penguin Walk route in front of the Penguin House in a near whiteout. The fat flakes of snow tumbled from the sky, and while I felt like I was freezing my buns off, and I couldn’t feel my fingers or toes, the penguins did not seem to mind at all!

They were diving in and out of their pool, and when time drew near to the walk, they all seemed to know and gathered around the gate, practically hopping up and down with excitement!

Five King penguins huddled together in the snow.

When the gate was opened, they took off! The pat pat pat of their flippered feet makes the cutest sound on the snow.

Zoo staff in blue jackets guide penguins along the snowy path during the penguin walk.

The giggles and sounds of awe from the crowd warmed my heart, as adults and kids alike were amused by the penguins’ play in the snow.

Group of penguins waddling together on snow with the crowd blurred in the background.

In the wild, penguins have no natural predators on land, which makes them extremely curious.

Five king penguins huddled together on the snow during the winter parade.

So sometimes, the little Gentoo penguins would waddle too close to the crowd of onlookers, and the staff would have to come fetch them, which was extra adorable.

Two Gentoo penguins waddle side by side in the snow with spectators close behind.

But my favorite part was when the penguins would flop down on their bellies and slide face-first through the snow, propelling themselves with their feet!

Line of penguins waddles through snow as a bundled-up crowd watches and takes photos.

How To See the Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk

The Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk runs every day at 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM during the winter season, and these King and Gentoo penguins go on a waddle around the zoo in the most adorable penguin parade!

Close-up of Gentoo penguin stepping across snow near the water while staff stand nearby.

While this promenade was originally created to help the penguins to get some exercise during the winter months, it has since become a beloved winter tradition that is enjoyed by people from all across the world.

Why Do the Penguins Go On a Walk?

I know this is going to sound absolutely ridiculous, but the Asahiyama Zoo shared that without these winter walks, their penguins were getting fat! In the wild, King penguins have to swim around and hunt for their fish. But at the zoo, dinner just shows up on a silver platter like an all-you-can-eat fish buffet.

Penguins parade past a bundled crowd along the snowy Asahiyama Zoo penguin-walk route.

On top of that, penguins naturally bulk up in February and March ahead of their molt, when they lose and replace all their feathers. So between the free room service and the pre-molt munchies, it’s basically a perfect storm for a penguin obesity epidemic.

Oh, and one more thing — the penguin walk only happens when there’s snow on the ground, since the zoo wants to protect the penguins’ delicate little feet. So on a snowy day like ours? Actually ideal.

Where is the Best Spot to Watch the Penguin Walk?

We had read that nabbing a spot near the entrance to the Penguin House was the best spot to watch the Penguin Walk, and I highly disagree with this advice. We stood in the freezing cold for half an hour to keep those spots, and what I didn’t realize, is that yes, you see them exit the enclosure, but then you are looking at their penguin butts for 70% of the walk.

Map of the Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk Route

Illustrated map of Asahiyama Zoo showing the penguin walk route and key exhibits.

Instead, I think you’ll have the most enjoyable experience if you grab a spot along the penguin walking route midway along the loop, past the Polar Bears Exhibit. You can also just “leap-frog” along the route, to keep catching new glimpses as they go. I was not aware of this when I visited, but the whole penguin walk actually lasts over half an hour, because penguins like to stop every couple of steps to slide around on their bellies and play in the freshly fallen snow!

Planning Your Visit to Asahiyama Zoo

In winter, the Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk is one of the top things to do in Hokkaido. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your own visit.

Asahiyama Zoo Hours & Admission

Winter hours run 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM, but I highly suggest that you check the hours on their official website before you visit. Even the zoo is closed on popular Japanese holidays like New Year’s.

As of 2026, adult admission is ¥1,000, and kids junior high age and under get in free. You can purchase tickets at the window upon arrival or book online in advance.

Penguin Walk Times

The penguin walk runs daily at 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM from mid-December through February, and 11:00 AM only in March. It only happens when there’s snow on the ground, so always check the official zoo website for the current schedule before you go!

Getting To Asahiyama Zoo

Asahiyama Zoo is located in the city of Asahikawa, which is about 1.5 hours north of Sapporo by limited express train. If you’re combining it with the Asahikawa Winter Festival as we did, you’re already in the perfect base!

By Bus

From JR Asahikawa Station, take Bus 41 or Bus 47 directly to the zoo. The ride takes about 40 minutes and costs 500 yen.

Timing tip: there are two morning buses (at 9:40 AM and 9:55 AM) that arrive right as the zoo opens, which is perfect for catching the 11:00 AM penguin walk. However, on the day of our visit, both of these buses were PACKED, and there were not enough seats for every rider.

Travel tip

Heads up! These buses from JR Asahikawa Station to Asahiyama Zoo DO NOT accept IC cards or Suica, so make sure you have cash or grab a ticket inside the station before you board!

By Group Tour

If taking a limited express train from Sapporo AND then hopping on a city bus is not your jam, it is also possible to join a group tour, as many of them include a visit to the penguin parade.

By Taxi

We saw multiple parties arrive and depart by GO Taxi. While we did not use this transport method ourselves, it seems like it was a popular choice for those who did not want to ride the bus.

Asahiyama Zoo Facilities and Accessibility

Restaurants

After spending time outside in the Hokkaido winter, you’ll be very grateful for the zoo’s indoor warming areas and restaurants. We ducked in for lunch after the penguin walk, and it was exactly what we needed! I had a niku udon, and Travel Buddy went for the katsu curry, and both were absolutely delicious. 10/10 would recommend warming up with a bowl of something hot after freezing your buns off watching penguins.

Facilities

The Asahiyama Zoo also has restrooms throughout the grounds and a gift shop, which is dangerous if you have a penguin merch weakness, just saying (but totally not saying that I have a penguin merch addiction, nope, couldn’t be me!) If you need to store bags, coin lockers are available on site.

Accessibility

A few practical accessibility notes: the zoo terrain is mixed, with some relatively flat areas but also many hilly sections that can get challenging in winter conditions. The paths and stairs get icy, so I would bring yaktrax or ice spikes on my next winter visit. I also noticed that strollers were not ideal in the snow, and I saw some parents struggling to push their baby carriages. If you’re visiting with little ones, a carrier or just holding hands, or putting your little one on a child leash is a much easier call.

Was it Worth the Trip?

Antarctica is still very much on the bucket list. But until then, watching King penguins waddle through a Hokkaido blizzard scratched the itch more than I expected. So, if you’re visiting Hokkaido in winter, you can’t sleep on this one! Frozen toes and all, seeing the Asahiyama Zoo penguin walk was one of the highlights of our trip.

Planning a Winter Hokkaido Trip?

If you’re going to Asahikawa, you can’t miss the incredible Shirahige Waterfall in the nearby town of Biei. And if you visit Sapporo, be sure to check out these three specialty coffee shops that were my absolute favorite. Lastly, I am working on a full winter wonderland of Hokkaido guides on the best things to do, so subscribe to my newsletter, or keep checking back for more in Hokkaido. I am so excited to share all of these adventures with you!