In summer there are a couple of direct JR "Furano Lavender Express" limited express trains between Sapporo and Furano. The one way trip takes about two hours, costs around 5000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Hokkaido Rail Pass. In 2024, they operate on weekends between June 8 and September 23 and everyday from June 15 to August 12.
The trip can also be made by local trains entirely, in which case an additional transfer is required along the way. Total travel time is about three hours, but the fare is only 2860 yen.
Useable from April 29 to October 10, 2024 (on sale until October 6), this ticket consists of a round trip by limited express train (unreserved seats) from Sapporo to Furano or Asahikawa, and unlimited train travel along the JR Furano Line between Furano and Asahikawa. The ticket is valid for up to four consecutive calendar days and costs 7400 yen if used from Sapporo.
By highway bus to Furano
2.5 h
¥2,700
Hokkaido Chuo Bus operates highway buses about every two hours between Sapporo (Sapporo Station Bus Terminal, Chuo Bus Terminal) and Furano Station. The trip takes 2.5 hours, costs 2700 yen one way or 5000 yen for a round trip. Seat reservations cannot be made.
By car
2-3 h
Furano is about a two hour drive from Sapporo, using the Doo Expressway between Sapporo and Mikasa (around 1500 yen in tolls). By toll-free roads, driving time increases by about 30 minutes.
Biei is about a 2.5 hour drive from central Sapporo, using the Doo Expressway between Sapporo and Asahikawa (around 4000 yen in tolls). By toll-free roads, driving time increases by about 30 minutes.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Getting around
Four municipalities, Furano City, Nakafurano Town, Kamifurano Town and Biei Town, make up the area commonly referred to as Furano and Biei.
Because attractions are spread over the entire region and public transportation is rather poor, a rental car is the recommended means for getting around. There are a few rental car outlets around Furano Station, and even more of them at Asahikawa Airport and in central Asahikawa.
Driving around Furano
Alternatively, cycling is an attractive way of getting around. Rental bicycles are available for typically 200 yen per hour for a regular bicycle and 600 yen per hour for an electrically powered bicycle. Do not underestimate distances. Furano and Biei, for example, are over 30 kilometers apart from each other.
The JR Furano Line connects Furano with Biei and Asahikawa. Trains run roughly once per hour, and the one way trip between Furano and Biei takes about 40 minutes, costs 750 yen and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Hokkaido Rail Pass.
During summer, the Furano-Biei Norokko, a special train for tourists, operates along the Furano Line. In 2024, there are three round trips on weekends between June 8 and September 23 and everyday from June 15 to August 12. The train carries nostalgic cars with wide windows and unreserved and reserved seats. Seat reservations cost a 840 yen supplement, but are free for JR pass holders. The train stops at the temporarily constructed Lavender-Batake Station, a short walk from Farm Tomita.
Furano-Biei Norokko
The bus network around Furano is rather poor, and many sights and flower farms are not served by public transportation, at all. One bus line of general interest is the Lavender-go bus, which connects Asahikawa Station with Asahikawa Airport, Biei and Furano every 1-2 hours.
Sightseeing buses are numerous around Furano, but a lot of them run only in summer and do not target foreign tourists. Relatively easy to use by foreigners are the following three tourist buses which run during the summer months. They make scheduled stops at popular sightseeing spots, but do not provide tour guides:
Biei View Bus (2024: 6/8 and from 6/15 to 10/14)
Starting and ending at Biei Station, these buses run twice per day around Biei. The tours take around three hours and cost 4500 yen (3500 yen in June and October). Reservations can be made via the internet (until four business days in advance) or at the tourist information office in front of Biei Station until shortly before departure, as long as vacant seats are available.
Furano/Biei/Asahikawa Bus Tours (2024: weekends from 6/8 to 9/23, daily from 6/15 to 8/12)
Starting in Furano or Asahikawa, these bus tours visit various attractions around Furano and Biei. The tours last around six hours and cost 6000-8000 yen. Reservations are possible via the internet (until one day in advance) or at the tourist information office in front of Furano Station (until just before departure), as long as vacant seats are available.
A variety of tours around Furano and Biei are also offered through Klook.
Sightseeing buses waiting in front of Biei Station
Situated in Furano, 2.5 km from Furano Station, AIR FURANO features accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. With free WiFi, this 3-star hotel has a restaurant and a bar. The hotel offers a hot tub and room service.
All rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a desk. The units have a private bathroom, slippers and bed linen.
The area is popular for skiing and cycling, and bike hire is available at the hotel.
Popular points of interest near AIR FURANO include Furano City Office, Asahigaoka Park and Furano Marche. Asahikawa Airport is 42 km from the property.
Situated in Furano, 7.9 km from Furano Station, Hotel Hanafuji Inn features accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant. The 2-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 12 km from Windy Garden.
At the hotel, the rooms come with a desk. Hotel Hanafuji Inn provides some rooms with mountain views, and the rooms include a kettle. All rooms in the accommodation are fitted with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries.
A continental breakfast is available each morning at Hotel Hanafuji Inn.
Guests at the hotel will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing.
Furano City Office is 8.2 km from Hotel Hanafuji Inn, while Furano Golf Course is 18 km from the property. Asahikawa Airport is 33 km away.
Set in Furano in the Hokkaido region, with Asahigaoka Park nearby, Cottage Morino Nakamatachi offers accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking.
Every unit features a private bathroom and shower, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and a fridge. A microwave, a stovetop and toaster are also featured, as well as a kettle.
Guests can relax in the garden at the property.
Furano Station is 3.1 km from the lodge, while Windy Garden is 3.6 km away. Asahikawa Airport is 43 km from the property.
Located in Furano, 2.8 km from Furano Station, Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANA provides accommodation with free bikes, free private parking, a shared lounge and a restaurant. 4.1 km from Windy Garden and 2 km from Furano City Office, the property features ski-to-door access and ski storage space. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, a shuttle service, room service and free WiFi throughout the property.
The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a shared bathroom with a bidet. Selected rooms are fitted with a kitchen with a microwave. At Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANA each room includes bed linen and towels.
A buffet breakfast is available daily at the accommodation.
Guests at Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANA will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing.
Furano Golf Course is 13 km from the hotel, while Asahigaoka Park is 2.3 km away. Asahikawa Airport is 42 km from the property.
Located in Furano, Fenix West provides 4-star accommodation with private balconies. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. The aparthotel features family rooms.
The units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a fridge, a coffee machine, a bidet, slippers and a wardrobe. All units have a private bathroom equipped with a shower and a hair dryer, while some rooms here will provide you with a fully equipped kitchen fitted with a dishwasher. At the aparthotel, the units are fitted with bed linen and towels.
There is a coffee shop on-site.
A ski equipment rental service, ski-to-door access and ski storage space are all featured at the aparthotel, and guests can go skiing in the surroundings.
Furano Station is 2.9 km from Fenix West, while Windy Garden is 3.9 km away. Asahikawa Airport is 42 km from the property.
Featuring 1-star accommodation, Guest House EBISAN is set in Furano, 21 km from Furano Station and 22 km from Windy Garden. This guest house offers free private parking, a concierge service and free WiFi. The accommodation provides bicycle parking and a shared lounge for guests.
At the guest house, the units are fitted with a tatami. The units feature a shared bathroom, slippers and bed linen.
Guests at the guest house will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing, cycling and hiking.
Furano City Office is 21 km from Guest House EBISAN, while Furano Golf Course is 26 km away. The nearest airport is Asahikawa Airport, 61 km from the accommodation.
Situated in Furano, 300 metres from Furano Station, La Vista Furano Hills Natural Hot Spring features accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking and a restaurant. The 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a shared bathroom and free WiFi. The hotel offers a sauna and a 24-hour front desk.
All units in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. All rooms in La Vista Furano Hills Natural Hot Spring are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer.
At the accommodation guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot spring bath.
Windy Garden is 5.7 km from La Vista Furano Hills Natural Hot Spring, while Furano City Office is less than 1 km from the property. Asahikawa Airport is 41 km away.
A 10-minute taxi ride from JR Furano Train Station, the completely non-smoking Pension Lavender offers a homely lounge with a wood-burning stove and a large flat-screen TV. The heated rooms have free Wi-Fi.
The simply furnished, Western-style rooms at Lavender Pension have a lamp and a nightstand. Matching floral patterns decorate the beds and curtains. Some rooms have a private bathroom.
The pension is 4 km from Furano Ski Resort and a 25-minute drive from Farm Tomita. Asahigaoka Park is 1.7 km away. On-site parking is free.
Free tea and instant coffee are provided at the lounge, and the terrace offers mountain views. You can enjoy a DVD or use the free Wi-Fi, and slippers are provided. Luggage storage and safe deposit are available at the front desk.
A Western breakfast set is served at the dining room, which has tall windows and potted plants.
Located in Furano, 3.1 km from Furano Station, Nozo Hotel provides accommodation with a fitness centre, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a kids' club and an ATM. Guests can use the spa and wellness centre with a sauna, and hot tub, as well as a bar.
All units at the hotel come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. At Nozo Hotel every room is equipped with bed linen and towels.
A buffet, American or Asian breakfast can be enjoyed at the property.
The area is popular for skiing and cycling, and bike hire is available at the accommodation.
Windy Garden is 4.1 km from Nozo Hotel, while Furano City Office is 2.2 km away. Asahikawa Airport is 42 km from the property.
Just a 1-minute walk from Kita-no-Mine Gondola Station at Furano Ski Resort, Chalet Fuyuri offers apartment-style accommodations with a living room and kitchen. Free wired Wi-Fi is available and guests can sit on the spacious sofa and watch DVDs on the flat-screen TV. A free shuttle is available from JR Furano Train Station, which is a 10-minute drive away.
The air-conditioned apartments have a balcony, a dining area and a loft. An all-in-one washer/dryer is provided, while the full kitchen comes with a stove, a microwave, a toaster and a fridge. Guests can cook their own meals using the provided kitchenware and electric kettle. Bathrobes and slippers come with the en suite bathroom.
Outdoor activities such as rafting, fishing and hot air balloon rides can be arranged at the front desk. Rental laptops are available and guests can request for a free shuttle to tour Furano city.
Fuyuri Chalet is a 15-minute drive from Furano Cheese Factory and Furano Wine Factory.
No meals are served.
