Furano and Biei in Hokkaido
Part of the Hokkaido travel guide — see every topic in All Hokkaido Guides.
Furano and Biei are in the middle of Hokkaido, about 2 hours from Sapporo. In summer the rolling hills are covered with flowers and farm fields; in winter they are white and very quiet. A car or a day tour makes the trip much easier.
Lavender and flower fields
Farm Tomita in Naka-Furano is the best-known lavender farm, with free entry; the lavender is at its best from about early to late July. Shikisai-no-Oka, in Biei, has stripes of flowers on a hillside from about May to October and asks for a small entry fee. Go early in the morning: tour buses arrive from about 10:00.
Biei's hills and the Blue Pond
Biei's Patchwork Road and Panorama Road pass farm fields and lone trees. These are working farms: stay on the road, never walk into fields and park only in car parks. About 20 minutes from Biei town, the Blue Pond (Aoiike) is a bright blue pool among bare trees, lit up at night in winter. Nearby, Shirahige Falls pours into the blue Biei River.
Furano in winter
Furano Ski Resort has long groomed runs and dry, cold snow, with fewer crowds than Niseko. Winter nights in the area can fall below -20°C. Day tours from Asahikawa and Biei visit the snowy fields and the lit Blue Pond.
Getting there
From Sapporo, JR limited expresses reach Asahikawa in about 85 minutes; from there the JR Furano line runs to Biei (about 35 minutes) and Furano (about 75 minutes). In summer, the seasonal Furano Lavender Express runs direct from Sapporo. Buses link the main sights, but a rental car is easier.
Furano and Biei at a glance
| Lavender peak | About early to late July |
|---|---|
| Farm Tomita | Naka-Furano; free entry |
| Blue Pond | About 20 min from Biei; lit at night in winter |
| From Sapporo | About 2 hours by train via Asahikawa, or by car |
| Getting around | Rental car or day tour; local buses are few |
| Rule | Farm fields are private: stay on roads and paths |