I’ve booked flights to Hokkaido during Obon from August 8th to 15th. My primary objectives are to see the flowers in the Biei-Furano area, maybe a night at an onsen, and the Sapporo Summer festival (and the Hokkai Bon). However, I don’t have a driver’s license so will have to make do with public transport.
Currently, my itinerary is:
08/08-10/08: 2 nights in Furano, as I land in New Chitose at 13:20, I wanted to make sure I have enough time to visit a couple spots in furano.
10/08-11/08: 1 night in Biei, mostly for the blue pond.
11/08-12/08: 1 Night in Asahikawa.
12/08 – 13/08: 1 Night in Noboribetsu for the Onsen.
13/08-15/08: 2 Nights in Sapporo. For the Sapporo Summer festival and Hokkai Bon Odori. Maybe a daytrip to Otaru.
I actually want to spend more time in Sapporo, so I’m considering skipping the night in Asahikawa and going straight from Biei to Noboribetsu, with maybe a pit stop in Asahikawa, which would give me an extra day in Sapporo. Or, I could just stay in Asahikawa for 3 nights and make day trips to furano and biei via JR. However, that means considerable travel time which I’d like to avoid. There’s also the option of staying at asahidake onsen. Any advice is appreciated, Thanks.
6 comments
I’m assuming you’re a current foreign resident of Japan. If yes, keep in mind that foreign passport holders in Japan can now use the [JR Sapporo Noboribetsu pass or the Sapporo Furano pass.](https://www.japan-guide.com/news/0056.html) Since you plan to travel by train/bus getting one of these passes might pay off for you. You can get it at the ticket office in Sapporo station by showing your foreign passport.
If you are in Noboribetsu for the onsen, rather than for exploring Jigokudani,I would probably start with Noboribetsu, then go to Biei and Furano.
Note that since Biei is only 40 minutes by train from Furano – there is no real need to stay overnight in Biei.
Any reason for no car? Hokkaido is vastly improved with one. You’re missing a lot in Biei and Furano using only a bus and your feet.
Having done most of this route using public transport (albeit during Winter) here is my advice-
* rail pass pricing doesn’t seem economical for your duration, plus you’ll want to be free to utilize buses as their schedule around the Frano/Biei/Asahikawa area might be more conducive to your schedule
* For some of your route the Hokkaido Resort Liner might be useful for day trips or CTS to Furano transfer. Buses in Hokkaido always seemed the better option for comfort and times IIRC-
* [https://www.access-n.jp/resortliner_eng/](https://www.access-n.jp/resortliner_eng/)
* When in Furano/Biei area I would recommend La Terre Onsen in Kimifurano ([https://goo.gl/maps/gTzB8wsYzMBDBp2w5](https://goo.gl/maps/gTzB8wsYzMBDBp2w5)) or Fukiage Hot Spring ([https://goo.gl/maps/bnc2izmdR9snv3F59](https://goo.gl/maps/bnc2izmdR9snv3F59)) but might be best to keep Furano as your home base for this whole area to keep from moving lodging too much.
* I would recommend skipping Asahikawa due to being out of the way to the rest of your routing, unless you’re looking to visit Asahidake.
So I literally did most of this this weekend lol (currently still chilling in Sapporo).
I’m not sure how much you wanted to see in the Furano/Biei area but tbh without a car it’s going to be difficult to see much. The trains in that area are very infrequent (depending on where you are heading, hourly or worse). I stayed in Asahikawa 2 nights and just spent a day trip visiting Tomita Farm, Biei etc. Tomita Farm was beautiful of course but incredibly busy to the point it wasn’t so enjoyable. I would consider dropping the Biei night and doing it as en-route stopover to Asahikawa. Asahikawa has the zoo (which for a Japanese zoo, is pretty decent) and the ramen village, but if you’re not that interested in those then I would completely recommend skipping Asahikawa as well and doing two extra nights in Sapporo, especially if you haven’t been before.
Additionally, as others have mentioned look at your options for train passes – even the ones available to everyone (incl Japanese nationals) are worth it – I got the Sapporo -> Furano-Biei Free Area Pass which covered all of Sapporo/Asahikawa/Biei/Furano for 7400, compared to the individual ticket price for my itinerary which would have been 13-14k
Is it possible to rent a bicycle in furano/biei to get around?