日本NipponPlan

Furano and Biei

Day trip from Sapporo

Hills of flower fields in summer and powder snow in winter. A car or a tour helps.

Worth a day?

Maybe. The day is a long trip by express to the flower fields of Furano and Biei, where lavender is at its best from late June to early August. It is a poor choice outside the summer season, or for travelers who do not want to ride a bus or taxi between fields that are far apart.

Pick your pace

Furano and Biei works as a slow day or a full one. Choose the pace that fits yours and the stops that suit it come first. Nothing is removed.

Pick one and the stops reorder. Nothing is hidden. Clear

Street food, sweets and a proper meal between sights.

A day in 3 stops

In the order that suits your pace.

  1. 1.5 hAfternoonFurano melon and cheese 瓜Local melon in summer, cheese and ice cream all year.
  2. 3 hMorningFlower fields at Furano 花Colourful rows of lavender and other flowers on the hills. Best in July.
  3. 2 hMorningBlue Pond and Biei hills 青A pond with blue water and a view of rolling hills. It looks different in each season.

How to get there

FastestJR Hokkaido, Furano Lavender Express (seasonal, all seats reserved) → Furano Station

Time
120 min
Changes
None
Seat
Reservation needed
  1. Board the Furano Lavender Express at JR Sapporo Station; JR's sample departure is 7:41, on select dates only.
  2. Arrive at Furano Station; JR's sample arrival is 9:44.
  3. Reach the fields by sightseeing bus, taxi or rental car, since they are spread out (Farm Tomita, Shikisai-no-Oka, Blue Pond).
A cheaper way

The Sapporo-Furano Area Pass includes a reserved seat, according to JR Hokkaido; check its terms before you buy.

Coming back. JR's sample route returns from Biei by the Furano Biei Norokko Train or a local train to Asahikawa, then a limited express (Lilac, Okhotsk or Kamui) to Sapporo, arriving about 19:25 to 20:25. Check the JR timetable; the Norokko train operations end in 2026.

Typical times. Check the timetable before you go.

Stay a night

Stay a night in Furano if you want more than one flower field, because the fields are spread out and the day from Sapporo is long.

Stay in Furano and BieiFurano and Biei offer pensions, chalets, small hotels and hot-spring hotels in a rural setting. Public transport is limited and a car is the usual way to reach the flower fields and hills, so a night nearby saves long trips back from the airport or city.Find stays in Furano and Biei
Sapporo as your basesnow, beer and seafood The train to Furano and Biei takes about 120 minutes.Find stays in Sapporo

Stays link to partner sites. A commission never changes our advice.

Read more

Posts that help you plan this day.

Guides5 min readFurano and Biei: fields, hills and slow roads from SapporoA day or two in Furano and Biei from Sapporo: the flower fields, the hills and the roads, and why a car or a tour helps.Guides5 min readNoboribetsu from Sapporo: hot springs and valley walksA day or a night in Noboribetsu from Sapporo: the steaming Hell Valley, the hot spring baths and the bathing rules to check first.Guides5 min readOtaru from Sapporo: canal, glass and sushiA day in Otaru from Sapporo: the old canal, the glass and music box shops, the seafood and what to check in winter.