Author Archives: teikan2

Regular Sightseeing Bus route changes due to the 2024 Hokkaido Marathon and Hamanasu Wheelchair Marathon

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Due to the “2024 Hokkaido Marathon and 2024 Wheelchair Marathon” that will be taking place, traffic restrictions will be implemented on those days throughout Sapporo City, causing changes to the routes of the Regular Sightseeing Bus courses. We apologize for any inconvenience, and thank you for your understanding.
“(1) Applicable Date
August 25 (Sun), 2024″
(2) Main changes
*Main changes affecting the course route – In the event that traffic restrictions for the marathons are extended, the Sapporo Morning Sightseeing Course to Shiroi Koibito Park and Sapporo Wholesale Market will be delayed by 20 minutes. In such a case, the start time for the Sapporo Afternoon Sightseeing Course to Mt. Okura Ski Jump Stadium and Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill will also be delayed.
*Due to changes in routes within Sapporo city, for a short period of time audio guidance will not be available for the outbound portion of the Shikotsu-Toyako Course. further, in the event that arrival at Lake Shikotsu is delayed due to traffic, passengers may not be able to board the Lake Shikotsu Sightseeing Cruiser, an optional tour on this course.

Notice concerning the moving of the location of the Sapporo Station Regular Sightseeing Bus Ticket Counter (posted June, 2024)

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We thank you deeply for your patronage to the Regular Sightseeing Bus.

Due to construction of the Sapporo Train Station, the “Regular Sightseeing Bus Ticket Counter” currently located at the North Exit of the Sapporo Station West Concourse will be moving to the back side of the Sapporo Station North Exit Regular Sightseeing Bus platform (next to the Sapporo Station North Exit Taxi Stand) as of September 1, 2024 (Sun).

*Date location is moving
September 1, 2024

*New Location
Sapporo Station North Exit Regular Sightseeing Bus Platform Back side

*Other notices
The Regular Sightseeing Bus Platform will remain in the same location.
A map showing the new location is currently being created. Please wait a little while longer until completed and posted. Thank you.

Hokkaido Chuo Bus Regular Sightseeing Bus will implement the following new brand as a method for payment starting June 1 (Sat), 2024.

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The following new payment brand will be added as an option for payment.
JKOPAY・Alipay HK・ezlink・G Cash・Kakao PAY・Touchn Go・True money
We hope you will take this opportunity to utilize Hokkaido Chuo Bus Regular Sightseeing Bus as it has become more user friendly and convenient.
●Locations where accepted: Sapporo Station Regular Sightseeing Bus Ticket Counter
●Payment Eligibility: The new payment method can be utilized for payment for your Regular Sightseeing Bus ticket only (it cannot be used for other purchases).

Niseko Panorama Line & Shinsen Marsh, La villa Lupicia, and Milk Kobo Course (Excluding Multilingual Audio System)

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●Kinoko Kingdom Niki Store In addition to the popular “mushroom soup” and “mushroom rice ball fillings” and other mushroom souvenirs, they also sell a wide variety of handmade chiffon cakes and Hokkaido specialty sweets.
　
●Niseko Panorama Line [Route 66] The Niseko Panorama Line, which runs from Iwanai Town to Niseko Town, is a very popular driving spot where you can enjoy the spectacular seasonal scenery of the mountains surrounding Niseko while driving. On a clear day, you can see Mount Yotei, the Ezo Fuji, and the Sea of ​​Japan.
　
●Shinsen-numa Located on a plateau more than 750 meters above sea level, Shinsen-numa is in a quiet environment surrounded by primeval forests of Japanese stone pine, red pine, and Yezo spruce. It is said to be the most beautiful and mysterious swamp in the Niseko mountain range, and has a mysterious charm. Depending on the time of year, the swamp shows different faces through the four seasons, and everyone can enjoy a walk to Shinsen-numa.
It takes about 20 minutes one way from the entrance of the Shinsen-numa Trail to Shinsen-numa.
　
●Niseko Distillery Niseko Distillery is a group company of Hakkaisan Brewery, which mainly produces sake Hakkaisan in Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture. Taking advantage of the characteristics of the naturally blessed region of Niseko, we aim to develop together with this land, and to create a clean, elegant, delicate, and well-balanced Japanese whiskey that is typical of Japan. We are working on malt whiskey and gin using high-quality underground water from Niseko Annupuri and barley malt as ingredients. Niseko Distillery is located 3 to 4 minutes on foot from the Ikoi no Yuyado Iroha parking lot, and those who wish can visit the distillery by walking along the promenade where you can enjoy the nature of Niseko.
　
●Niseko Milk Factory Our store is located at the foot of Niseko Annupuri, overlooking Mt. Yotei, amid the colorful scenery of the four seasons. Every morning we bring in freshly squeezed raw milk from cows raised in the great outdoors of Niseko and use it to make our products. We offer simple, safe and authentic products that make the most of the ingredients.
　
●Villa Lupicia Villa Lupicia in Niseko, Hokkaido, produced by Lupicia, a tea specialty store from around the world, is a complex that includes restaurants, boutiques, and sweets shops. It is filled with delicious food made with an abundance of fresh ingredients from Hokkaido.

Asahidake Sky Garden and Shikisai-no-Oka Hill Course (Excluding Multilingual Audio System)

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Taisetsu National Park (230,000 ha) located in the heart of Hokkaido is a mountain range 50 kilometers long, comprising Asahidake, the highest peak (elevation 2,291 meters), and connecting peaks averaging around 2,000 meters in elevation.
The Asahidake Ropeway connects the foothills (elevation 1,100 meters) with the Sugatami station (elevation 1,600 meters). The ropeway offers sweeping vistas of the Asahidake Mountain Range, the Sugatami Pond (at elevation 1,670 meters), as well as other beautiful views of the flower-covered fields in the sky.

 

The leaves begin to turn color around mid September, spreading a welcoming carpet of vibrant colors across the mountainside.
From the “”Sugatami”" summit station, visitors will make their way through the alpine vegetation to the “”Sugatami Pond,”" which is about 1.7 kilometers round-trip.
The pond is an emerald green pond about 50 meters in diameter, with a circumference of about 400 meters. The pond is named “”Sugatami,”" which translates to “”mirror,”" due to the beautiful reflection of Mt. Asahidake that can be seen on the surface of the lake.
For lunch we will convene at the Asahidake Ropeway Sugatami restaurant, where we will enjoy a meal made with delicious local ingredients.
It is only a 3-minute walk from the hotel to the ropeway, so after your meal you can enjoy a ride on the ropeway and the epic scenery of flower gardens in the sky.

“All of Shakotan” Scenic Cape Shakotan Tour (Excluding Multilingual Audio System)

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This tour takes you to Cape Kamui which is a headland in Shakotan Peninsula. Drive rout 229 and see spectacular view of cliff as well as strange and rough rocks. Visit “Shimamui Coast” and “Cape Kamui”, which are the highlights of Shakotan Peninsula. The view from the Shimamui Coast, which is listed among the best 100 coasts of Japan, is said to be the greatest one in Shakotan Peninsula with sweeping vistas of emerald green waters.
In Bikuni you will have the option of boarding the Glass bottom boat cruise, the “”New Shakotan.”" The cruise takes 78 passengers along the Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Quasi-National Marine Park, where passengers can view the spectacular underwater world from the bottom of the boat. If the water is clear enough you will see sea urchins, and tons of fish. Passengers can also feed the many seagulls that follow the boat.
Local legend has it that any ship, which has women on board, will sink if it tries to sail past the Cape Kamui, which prohibited the presence of women in early times. We will enjoy a lunch of local dishes.

“Experience the majestic beauty of water “Lake Shikotsu” and the spectacular nature of Lake Tōya”Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya Tour (Multilingual Audio Tour)

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“Lake Shikotsu” is well known for the clarity of its water and was once listed on “the Best Water in Japan” by the Ministry of Environment.
There will be an opportunity to take “Lake Shikotsu Cruise” and enjoy the scenic beauty from the deck.
This is a caldera lake, the remains of a very large volcanic eruption a hundred thousand years ago. The rich nature surrounding the lake provides habitat for many fauna and flora.
For lunch we will dine at the Toya Kohantei hotel located on the Toyako lakeside (independent dining on May 16, 19, Jun 18 – 20, 22, 23, Aug 10 – 15, Oct 5, 15 – 19), and enjoy the refreshing view of the lake side. After lunch we will then head to Mt. Usu, the first mountain area in Japan to be designated as a Global Geopark in August 2009, by Global Geoparks Network supported by UNESCO. There are 58 Global Geoparks in 18 countries and Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano Geopark is recognized as the 59th of these. We will view Mt. Usu from the windows of the ropeway.

This is a reasonable 1-day tour which allows you to experience two famous lakes of Hokkaido.

Asahiyama Zoo One-Day Tour (Excluding Multilingual Audio System)

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This tour invites you to Asahiyama Zoo where many tourists visit. There is the‘Seal Aquarium’ and ‘Polar Bear Aquatic Park, where you can observe the animals’ natural behavior. The‘Orangutan Trapeze’, ‘Spider Monkey & Capybara’, “Chimpanzee’s Forest” are also highlights of the zoo. Get a feel for the animals up close at the ‘Lesser Panda Suspension Bridge’ and ‘Tancho-sha’. Many repeat tourists visit Asahiyama Zoo.
We will go to Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa directly from Sapporo. It will take much time to Asahikawa, but we do not lose your interest because of tour bus. Our tour guides will entertain you with their talk depending on each view or destination. Your destination is only Asahiyama, so you have much time to look around there. This is not a busy tour with many destinations, but relaxed so you can look around at the animals to your heart’s content.
　
Apr. 27 – May 31, Oct. 1 – Nov. 3
On the way back to Sapporo, we will stop for a rest at the Sunagawa Highway Oasis, where you can enjoy shopping for special products of Hokkaido and taste good food in the cafeteria managed by the famous confectionery maker in Hokkaido. You can alight at ‘Sapporo Clock Tower,’the symbol of Sapporo, near Odori. Let’s go to Asahiyama Zoo to look for vigorous animals in comfortable tour bus.
　
June 1 – Sep. 23, Sep. 28, Sep. 29
Iwase Farm has been in business in Sunagawa Hokkaido for over 100 years. To avoid stressing the cattle and facilitate the production of quality milk, they are released outdoors during the warm seasons to graze freely. Iwase Farm sweets, made with milk taken from pasture-raised cattle, have a mild flavor typical of authentic milk. You can also get off at ‘Sapporo Clock Tower,’the symbol of Sapporo, near Odori.

*Concerning suspension of the Regular Sightseeing Bus Course “Illumination & Lake Shikotsu Hyoto Ice Festival Course,” and changes to the “North Snowland & Lake Shikotsu Hyoto Ice Festival Course,”

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We thank you for choosing the Regular Sightseeing Bus for your travels.
Sudden warming from an increase in temperatures has resulted in changes to the following Regular Sightseeing Bus tours.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause affected passengers, and thank you for your understanding.
Changes
●The Illumination & Lake Shikotsu Hyoto Ice Festival
Due to warm temperatures, the melting ice sculptures have become a danger, resulting in the cancellation of the Lake Shikotsu Hyoto Ice Festival from February 14.
Due to these changes, the Regular Sightseeing Bus Course will be suspended between February 14 and February 25.
●The North Snowland and Lake Shikotsu Hyoto Ice Festival
The North Snowland & Lake Shikotsu Hyoto Ice Festival Course will be in operation, however due to the cancellation of the Lake Shikotsu Hyoto Ice Festival, our duration here will be shortened to 45 minutes.

For customers riding the North Snowland Course (2/13/2/14)

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Thank you for always riding the regular sightseeing bus.
Regarding the 2/13/2/14 North Snowland course, the optional tour of Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival will be changed as follows due to the rise in temperature due to warm weather.
●Admission is free.
●You can enter the venue, but you cannot enter the observation deck or the ice sculptures.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.

●For customers riding the light-up Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival course　February 13th (Tuesday) and February 14th (Wednesday)

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The light-up Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival course will run on February 13th (Tuesday) and February 14th (Wednesday), but due to rising temperatures due to warm weather, the course will operate as follows.
〇Visits inside the venue will be restricted, so the admission fee of 500 yen (for high school students and above) will be refunded.
〇You can enter the venue, but you cannot enter the observation deck or the ice sculptures.
〇Light-up will be held as usual.
*Due to such circumstances, if you cancel, there will be no cancellation fee.
*We apologize for the sudden change and appreciate your understanding.

Changes pertaining to the Scenic Cape Shakotan Fall Course

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Thank you for choosing the Regular Sightseeing Bus for your tours of Hokkaido.
We regret to inform you that due to restoration construction of the footpath inside Cape Kamui Natural Park on the Scenic Cape Shakotan Fall Course, visitors cannot walk to the tip of the cape.
We apologize for the inconvenience、 and thank you for your understanding.
*Affected course – Scenic Cape Shakotan Fall Course
*Period: From October 9, 2023
*Construction zone: From the Gate Forbidden to Women to the tip of Cape Kamui
It is possible to go as far as the Gate Forbidden to Women.
There is an observation point at the Gatey Forbidden to Women, which allows visitors to see the entire cape while entry restrictions are in place.

Notice concerning partial changes to the Regular Sightseeing Bus course due to relocation of the Regular Sightseeing Bus Ticket Counter

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Due to the relocation of the Regular Sightseeing Bus Ticket Counter to the North Exit of Sapporo Station on on September 1st, the changes will be made to the following itineraries. We apologize for the inconvenience to our passengers, and thank you for your understanding.
*Changes that have been made
**Shikotsu – Toyako Circuit Course/ Power Spot Benten and Kannon Island Course – stopover time at Nakayama Pass will be shortened by 5 minutes; we will be staying at the pass for 5 minutes. Shikotsu – Toyako Circuit Course – stopover time at Nakayama Pass will be shortened by 5 minutes; we will be staying at the pass for 10 minutes.
*Farm Tomita/ Shikisai-no-Oka/Blue Pond Course – stopover time at Sunagawa Highway Oasis will be shortened by 5 minutes; we will be staying at the pass for 15 minutes.
*Farm Tomita/ Shikisai-no-Oka/Blue Pond Course (Relief Bus) – stopover time at Sunagawa Highway Oasis will be shortened by 5 minutes; we will be staying at the pass for 15 minutes.
*Asahigaoka Tenku Gardens and Shikisai-no-Oka Hiking Course
Our stopover time at Iwamizawa SA will be shortened by 5 minutes; we will be staying for only 5 minutes.

Regarding The Change of The Name of The Regular Sightseeing Bus Boarding Area

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Until August 31, 2023, the current boarding area “Sapporo Station Bus Terminal” will be used. However, starting from September 1st, the ticketing counter and boarding area for regular sightseeing bus will be relocated to the following location, and the name will be changed to “Sapporo Station (North Exit of the West Concourse).
Please refer to the following for the ticketing counter and boarding area for regular sight-seeing bus.

https://teikan.chuo-bus.co.jp/pdf/change_busStop_EN.pdf

Changes in stopovers concerning the Regular Sightseeing Bus Farm Tomita and Shikisai-no-Oka Hill, and Blue Pond Course (relief bus).

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Changes will be made to our rest stop due to changes in business hours at Sunagawa Highway Oasis on the Regular Sightseeing Bus Farm Tomita, Shikisai-no-Oka Hill, and Blue Pond course( relief bus departing at 09:40). We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

1. Applicable Course – Farm Tomita, Shikisai-no-Oka Hill, and Blue Pond Course (relief bus departing at 09:40)
2. Date From August 21 (Mon), 2023
3. Content – Our stopover for the rest stop will change from Sunagawa Highway Oasis to Sunagawa Service Area.
4. Other – In the event that arrival is delayed for the Farm Tomita, Shikisai-no-Oka Hill, and Blue Pond course, we will stop at Sunagawa Service Area instead of Sunagawa Highway Oasis.

Regular Sightseeing Bus route changes due to the 2023 Hokkaido Marathon and Hamanasu Wheelchair Marathon

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Due to the “2023 Hokkaido Marathon and 2023 Wheelchair Marathon” that will be taking place, traffic restrictions will be implemented on those days throughout Sapporo City, causing changes to the routes of the Regular Sightseeing Bus courses. We apologize for any inconvenience, and thank you for your understanding.
“(1) Applicable Date
August 27 (Sun), 2023″
(2) Main changes
*Main changes affecting the course route – In the event that traffic restrictions for the marathons are extended, the Sapporo Morning Sightseeing Course to Shiroi Koibito Park and Sapporo Wholesale Market will be delayed by 20 minutes. In such a case, the start time for the Sapporo Afternoon Sightseeing Course to Mt. Okura Ski Jump Stadium and Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill will also be delayed.
*Due to changes in routes within Sapporo city, for a short period of time audio guidance will not be available for the outbound portion of the Shikotsu-Toyako Course. further, in the event that arrival at Lake Shikotsu is delayed due to traffic, passengers may not be able to board the Lake Shikotsu Sightseeing Cruiser, an optional tour on this course.

Title Changes concerning the stopovers on the Furano Lavender Story Course

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Notice

As of July 27, the course itinerary will change to the following.

Due to the fact that the lavender flowers in Lavender East finished early and will be harvested, we will visit Shikisai-no-Oka Hill instead of Lavender East. We will not be stopping at Campana Rokkatei.
For those who have made reservations, we apologize for the inconvenience and ask for your understanding.

Itinerary for July 27 – July 31

Sapporo Station Bus Terminal 8:25 -> Iwamizawa SA (9:10 – 9:25) -> New Furano Prince Hotel (11:00 – 12:15) -> Furano Wine House (12:30 – 13:15) -> Farm Tomita (13:30 – 14:45) -> (via Roller Coaster Hill) Shikisai-no-Oka Hill 15:20 – 16:00 -> Biei Patchwork Road (view from bus window)/Ken and Mary Tree (view from bus window) -> Seven Stars Tree (view from bus window) -> Asahikawa-Takasu IC ->Sunagawa SA (rest) 17:35- 17:45 -> Sapporo IC -> Sapporo Factory 18:45 -> Sapporo Clock Tower (D/O possible) 18:50 -> Sapporo Station Bus Terminal 18:55

*Additional admission fees necessary for entering Shikisai-no-Oka Hill will be paid for by the bus company.
*We apologize that due to our stopover changing to Shikisai-no-Oka Hill, we will not be stopping at Campana Rokkatei. Thank you for your understanding.

Regarding The Change of The Name of The Regular Sightseeing Bus Boarding Area

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Until August 31, 2023, the current boarding area “Sapporo Station Bus Terminal” will be used. However, starting from September 1st, the ticketing counter and boarding area for regular sightseeing bus will be relocated to the following location, and the name will be changed to “Sapporo Station (North Exit of the West Concourse).
Please refer to the following for the ticketing counter and boarding area for regular sight-seeing bus.

https://teikan.chuo-bus.co.jp/pdf/change_busStop_EN.pdf

Regarding the changes to the regular sightseeing bus ticket counter and boarding location due to the redevelopment of Sapporo Station caused by the extension of the Shinkansen:*From September 1st, 2023, the locations of Regular Sightseeing Bus counters and bus stops will change.

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※Due to the redevelopment of Sapporo Station caused by the extension of the Shinkansen, the position of the regular sightseeing bus ticket counter and boarding location will be changed starting from September 1st.
※The planned changes are as follows:
　● The regular sightseeing bus ticket counter will be located inside the western concourse of the north exit of Sapporo Station.
　● The boarding location will be inside the current taxi waiting area at the north exit of Sapporo Station.
　
For new counters and platforms, please click here.
　
※We apologize for any inconvenience caused to our customers who will be using our services during this time and kindly request your understanding.
※Please note that until August 31st, the bus stops will be the same as before.

Notice about Regular Sightseeing Bus

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As of April 1, the restrictions on sitting next to other groups at the
same tables will be lifted(if your group is an odd number, passengers from
another group may sit at your table). We apologize for any inconvenience,
and thank you for understanding.

● Concerning the 2023 Regular Sightseeing Bus Schedule

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We thank you for your patronage for the Regular Sightseeing Bus.
We apologize that posting of the 2023 operating schedule for the Regular Sightseeing Bus on our website has been greatly delayed. We are currently sorting out minor details, and will post the schedule as soon as the courses have been confirmed. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Please note that the following courses are subject to changes.
April 10: Sapporo City Course x 2
April 29: Asahiyama Zoo Course
May 8: Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya Course/ Scenic Cape Shakotan Course
Mid May: Courses bound for Furano
Early June: Farm Tomita, Shikisai-no-Oka Hill, and Blue Pond Course

Notice concerning the use of masks on the Regular Sightseeing Bus after March 13 (Mon).

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Notice concerning the use of masks on the Regular Sightseeing Bus after March 13 (Mon).
We thank you for choosing the Regular Sightseeing Bus Tours. As of March 13 (Mon), the use of masks on the Regular Sightseeing Bus will not be mandatory, but up to each individual. See below for details. We thank you for your understanding.

1. Content
As of March 13 (Mon), 2023, the use of masks on the Regular Sightseeing Bus will not be mandatory, but up to each individual.

2. Content that has changed
We will no longer inforce masking. (The decision to wear a mask will be up to each individual.)
Food and drink will be allowed on board the bus.

3. Other
We will continue to social distance with other groups, and at tables.
We will also continue to take temperatures before boarding, and will continue to prohibit the consumption of alcoholic beverages on board the bus. We thank you for your cooperation.

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Suspension of Regular Sightseeing Bus Courses Due to the Spread of the New Coronavirus (Updated 15 Nov)

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Due to the spread of the new coronavirus, it has become difficult to secure the necessary number of crew members to operate the regular sightseeing bus routes.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and ask for your understanding.
　
〇Suspension Period
　 From November 19 – until further notice (Asahiyama Zoo Course only from November 14 – until further notice)
〇Affected Courses
　 All courses that are normally in operation during this period
〇Other Remarks
　Buses will resume operations once conditions improve (updates will be posted on the website).
Those with reservations will be notified individually if operations have not resumed one week before the scheduled operation date.
　
Please understand that reservations will be accepted for after January 1st, but there is a possibility that operations will remain suspended.

Suspension of Regular Sightseeing Bus Courses Due to the Spread of the New Coronavirus

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Due to the spread of the new coronavirus, it has become difficult to secure the necessary number of crew members to operate the regular sightseeing bus routes.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and ask for your understanding.
　
〇Affected courses and period of suspension
C【Sapporo Morning Tour】Shiroi Koibito Park and Central Wholesale Market Tour
11/19 (Sat) – 11/30 (Wed)
D【Sapporo Afternoon Tour】Mt. Okura and Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill Tour
11/19 (Sat) – 11/30 (Wed)
A Asahiyama Zoo One-Day Tour
11/14(Mon) – 11/30(Wed)