Picturesque villages, lovely lavender gardens and scenic cycle paths… the agricultural Furano Region ranks high on wish list for many travelers. You can travel the region with the Sapporo-Furano Area Pass, as well as the Hokkaido Rail Pass or the Japan Rail Pass. If you want to explore Asahikawa, such as Asahiyama Zoo, please add a day.
⚫︎ Last updated: May 2024. Timetables, business hours and prices are subject to change. Check the latest information.
⚫︎ The Furano & Biei Norokko Train and the Furano Lavender Express are seasonal trains. Check the schedules and timetables. These seasonal trains have reserved seats.
DAY 1
⚫︎ From Sapporo, take the train to Biei via Asahikawa.
⚫︎ Explore the agricultural town of Biei by bike.
⚫︎ Take the scenic JR Furano Line.
⚫︎ Stay at New Furano Prince Hotel, one of the region’s best resort hotels.
d. 8:00
Take the limited express Lilac 5 for Asahikawa.
a. 9:25 / d. 9:38
Northern Hokkaido’s largest city. Take the local train for Furano.
a. 10:12
Biei is something like a France’s mini rural village. Bike rentals or electric scooter (including left-luggage services) are available in front of the train station.
10:00 to 14:00
Explore the Patchwork Road (12km) or the Panorama Road (13-15km) by bike. Have lunch in the town center.
d. 14:19
Take the local train for Furano.
a. 14:56 / d. 15:23
Furano is said to mark the geographical center of Hokkaido.
Take the Furano Bus Lavender-go for New Furano Prince Hotel.
a. 15:40
Located at the base of Furano Ski Area, this resort hotel boasts superlative rooms with all the amenities and mountain views from the upper floors. You can explore the Ningle Terrace crafts and art village, Kaze-no-Garden, the onsen Shisai-no-yu, and the cafe Mori-no-Tokei in the hotel.
Photo: Jalan.net
HOTEL (SPONSORED)
New Furano Prince Hotel
新富良野プリンスホテル
▶︎ 17min by bus from JR Furano Station
Located at the base of Furano Ski Area, this resort hotel boasts superlative rooms with all the amenities and mountain views from the upper floors. There are plenty of dining and drinking options inside and outside the hotel. Guests can use the onsen Shisai-no-yu (pay an extra) adjoining the hotel.
DAY 2
⚫︎ Take the seasonal Furano Ropeway in the morning.
⚫︎ Tasting and shopping at the scenic Furano Winery.
⚫︎ Enjoy local sweets and art at the Campana Rokkatei.
⚫︎ Exploring the lavender fields in Nakafurano.
⚫︎ Take the seasonal Furano & Biei Norokko Train.
⚫︎ Shopping at the Furano Marche.
⚫︎ Take the seasonal Furano Lavender Express for Sapporo.
d. 10:15
Have breakfast. Furano Ropeway operates between late July and late August (from 8am).
After check-out, take the Furano Bus Lavender-go for Asahikawa.
a. 10:35
You will be back to Furano Station again. Pack lightly (there are lockers at the train station).
From the train station, take the taxi to Furano Winery (7min). Otherwise, it is 2.7km northwest of JR Furano Station (35min walk).
11:00
Furano Winery sits on a hillside with small lavender gardens and it provides a look into wine-making methods. There are small but scenic lavender gardens behind the winery. It is 2.5km northwest of JR Furano Station.
12:00
About a 10-minute walk from Furano Winery, the Campana Rokkatei has a scenic cafe and a gallery overlooking the Tokachi-dake Mountains. Enjoy Furano-style sweets.
d. 13:19
This small train station is a 17-minute walk from the Campana Rokkatei.
Take the local train for Asahikawa.
a. 13:27
Nakafurano’s lavender gardens can be easily explored on foot from the train station.
★ See also Nakafurano Lavender Gardens walking tour.
13:40
The town-managed hillside lavender garden is halfway between JR Nakafurano Station and Farm Tomita.
14:20
Hokkaido’s most famous flower garden, Farm Tomita is the birthplace of lavender tourism in Furano Region. The best timing to see lavender is in July.
d. 15:44
In summer, the Norokko Train stops at JR Lavender Farm Station, about 500m northeast of Farm Tomita.
Take the seasonal Furano & Biei Norokko Train 5 (富良野・美瑛ノロッコ5号) for Furano.
※Otherwise, take the local train for Furano from Nakafurano (d. 16:36).
a. 16:04
If you have time, walk to the Furano Marche from the train station (7min walk).
16:15
Furano Marche has a good range of souvenir and take-away shops
pecializing in local goodies.
d. 16:55
Take the seasonal limited express Furano Lavender Express (フラノラベンダーエクスプレス) for Sapporo.
a. 18:55
Back to the capital of Hokkaido!
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Photos of Tokyo Station: Pexels