Furano and Biei are small cities located in central Hokkaido Prefecture, in the north of Japan. Known for having sprawling flower fields, the famous Blue Pond, dozens of ski fields, and vast mountain ranges of the Daisetsuzan National Park, which surround this central part of Hokkaido.
Both cities of Biei and Furano are within about a 30 minute drive from each other, or just a handful of stops on the local train line, making it a great place to stop off and spend a night or two. Biei is more northern, and home to the famous Aoiike Blue Pond, Shikisai No Oka flower fields, the Shirahige Waterfalls, and beautiful historic ryokan resorts. Furano, located south of Biei, is home to the plentiful flower fields of Farm Tomita and is a great base area for those wanting to carve up the slopes.
Guided Tours in Furano
Explore Hokkaido
Top Attractions
Hokkaido Shrine
Popular shrine in Sapporo City
Lake Toya
Caldera lake with scenic views, islands, hot springs, and volcano.
Shirahige Waterfalls
Cascading waterfalls with stunning blue water
Cape Soya
Japan's northernmost cape
Jigokudani Hell Valley
Steam-filled volcanic valley with sulfur vents, hot springs, and trails
Where To Stay in the Furano & Biei Area
Hotel Hanafuji Inn
Friendly and relaxing hotel with western and Japanese-style rooms, located down the road from Farm Tomita, offering up a fantastic handmade breakfast daily.
Hotel Lavenir
Located only three minutes away from Biei Station, the Hotel Lavenir offers a great base at an affordable price, so you can get out there and see what Biei has to offer.
La Vista Furano Hills
Quality four-star hotel in Furano, known for the relaxing, natural onsen and modern restaurant.
Getting there, and getting around Furano and Biei
Furano and Biei straddle a valley between the Daisetsuzan National Park to the east and a smaller mountain range to the west. Due to the remoteness of many of the attractions in Furano and Biei, renting a car is highly recommended for exploring this part of Hokkaido.
Driving
From Sapporo, Furano is just shy of a two-hour drive from the city centre. Once in Furano, most attractions and hotels are within a 30-minute drive.
By Train
If you do prefer to take public transport, there are train lines that connect Sapporo to Furano and Biei. While infrequent, you can still use the trains and buses to get around. From Sapporo Station, take the Furano Lavender Express train on the Hakodate Line to Furano Station. This journey will take you directly to Furano without requiring a transfer, taking 2 Hours one way, and costing 5,440 Yen, and is covered by both the JR Pass, the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass, and the Sapporo-Furnao Area Pass.
