Are you planning to visit Hokkaido? Then check out this 3-day itinerary for the popular areas of Furano, Biei and Asahikawa, recommended by a Furano local, Dimi.
This is a great itinerary for anyone who’s visiting Hokkaido for the first time and wants to check out Hokkaido’s highlights — beautiful sceneries, fresh dairy products and many more.
A bonus point: this itinerary can be followed with public transportation (and a few optional taxi rides), without driving a car.
Let’s dive in!
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✅ Top 6 Hidden Spots in Furano & Biei
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3-day Itinerary: Asahikawa, Biei and Furano
This is a perfect itinerary for a summer trip, but can be a good base for your trip planning for spring or autumn (for winter, I would plan the Furano part differently to enjoy winter activities). In this itinerary, you will be spending one night in each destination.
Day 1: Asahikawa
Day 2: Biei
Day 3: Furano
Day 1: Asahikawa
Asahikawa is the second biggest city in Hokkaido, after Sapporo. As it has Asahikawa Airport and JR train station, it’s a gateway to the popular tourist places, Furano and Biei.
To get there, you can take a limited train (1.5 hours) or a bus (2 hours) from JR Sapporo Station. If you are coming from Tokyo, take a direct flight to Asahikawa Airport, about 1 hour and 40 mins.
Not included in this itinerary, but Asahiyama Zoo is also a highlight of this city (details in this family-friendly Hokkaido itinerary).
Stroll on Heiwa Shopping Street
Heiwa Shopping Street is a central hub for shopping and dining in Asahikawa. This 1 km-long pedestrian street is always full of locals and visitors, and fun to walk around.
Here, you can find many stores from souvenir shops to department stores and restaurants. During my high school days in Asahikawa, I always hang out with my friends around this street. There are also iconic artistic monuments loved by locals, such as fountains and bronze statues.
INFORMATION
Opening hours differ depending on the store.
Access: One minute walk from the North Gate of JR Asahikawa Station
Take a break at local cafes
Stop by one of the cafes on the same street after shopping. Here are my favorite cafes that I loved spending time in after school.
SUNUSU+Café features Asahikawa’s famous furniture and a mix of Japanese-Scandinavian style atmosphere. They Serve great coffee and a variety of options for pancakes on the second floor. The first floor is a vintage Scandinavian item shop.
Opening hours: 11AM - 4PM or 5PM, closed on Wednesdays
COFFEE STAND CONTAINER is a small coffee stand that is perfect for a break after walking through the long shopping street. They have cozy couches to take a break on as well as offer takeaway. I often came to this cafe, especially during the winter seeking its relaxing and calming vibes.
Opening hours: 11AM - 4PM or 5PM, closed on Wednesdays
Enjoy beautiful furniture in a local community space
Photo: Higashikawa Town
Photo: Higashikawa Town
You might not hear about this, as not many tourism websites talk about it, but Asahikawa is actually famous for its high-quality furniture. Not a fan of furniture? No worriers. A cultural exchange facility “Centpure” is worth visiting for anyone interested in arts.
This space provides collaborative spaces for locals and aims to promote the art culture of the region. It features exhibitions of unique furniture and galleries of arts and design. After exploring the exhibitions, you can take a break at a community cafe and a lounge, which of course use the beautiful Asahikawa furniture.
INFORMATION
Opening Hours: 10AM - 5PM (Gallery), 11:30AM - 5PM (Café)
Admission free
Access: 40-45 minutes by bus from Asahikawa Station. Either take bus number 76 or 60 on Platform 5. The fare is 670 JPY.
Useful Resources
✨Planning a winter trip? Check out my Winter Hokkaido Travel Planner
✨Traveling to Eastern Hokkaido? Grab my Eastern Hokkaido Travel Planner
✨Stuck in your trip planning? Ask for my Local Expert Advice
Cheers to local craft beers
After exploring the city of Asahikawa, let’s end the day off with some beer! In Japan, local breweries have been growing and gaining traction across Japan in the past few years. When I visited Tokyo in 2024, I noticed that more people were enjoying craft beers and more shops were offering them.
If you want to taste the trend, check out Freehouse THE YEAST in Asahikawa. They have different brands from Hokkaido as well as all over Japan.
INFORMATION
Opening hours: 4PM - midnight
Access: 15 minute walk from JR Asahikawa Station
Where to stay in Asahikawa
HOTEL AMANEK Asahikawa
⭐4 stars, ✨Modern Design, 🏢Excellent Location
A newly-built modern hotel located 5 min walk from JR Asahikawa offering a public bath with a viewDormy Inn Asahikawa
⭐3 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🍴Great Breakfast
A city hotel located 10 min walk from JR Asahikawa, with a natural hot spring and great breakfast buffet
Day 2: Biei
Enjoy countryside views on Norokko Train
Photo: JR
Photo: JR
Now let’s head to Biei. If you are visiting here in summer, I recommend taking the Norokko Train, instead of taking a regular train or bus from Asahikawa to Biei. It’s a tourism train that takes different routes than regular trains, going through beautiful countryside and sceneries between Asahikawa and Furano.
I have been on this train before to go back home to Furano, and I can assure you that the ride will give you an amazing experience and stunning views of Hokkaido’s nature.
The train operates every day from mid-June to mid-August, and a few weekends in early June and from late August to late September. Be sure to check the train schedule on the official website before your trip.
INFORMATION
Access: 30 min from JR Asahikawa station to Biei station
Fare: 640 JPY, plus an additional 840 JPY if you want to reserve a seat.
Visit the famous Blue Pond
Shirogane Blue Pond is one of the most popular spots in the Furano-Biei area. Its bright blue color is truly remarkable and attracts visitors from around the world. Try the signature blue soft-served ice cream for a snack.
INFORMATION
Opening hours: 7AM - 7PM (May to October), 8AM - 9.30PM (November to April)
Access: 20 min by bus from JR Biei station
Admission free, no public bathroom
Taste fresh Hokkaido milk at Biei Farm
Photo: Biei Farm Instagram account
Photo: Biei Farm Instagram account
Biei Farm is a dairy farm surrounded by the rich nature of Biei. You do need to drive or take a taxi to get there as there’s no public transportation, but it’s a great place to experience Hokkaido’s farming scene.
Here, you can see cows in the vast field and taste the freshest dairy products that the farmers are proud of. At the farm cafe, you can get your hands on their milk, yogurt, cheese and more. Their ice cream in a waffle cone is especially popular for its creamy yet light, delicious flavor. People keep coming back for it. So definitely give it a try!
INFORMATION
Opening hours: 10AM - 5PM (from May to October), 10AM - 4PM (from October to April)
Access: 20 minutes by a taxi from Biei Station
✨TRAVEL TIP
If you want a guided tour including transportation, join Guided One-Day Tours from Sapporo. The popular destinations include Furano, Biei, Asahikawa, Otaru, Lake Toya, Noboribetsu and many more. You can visit many must-see places in one day while just relaxing in a car!
Day 3: Furano
Farm Tomita
Another famous spot in the Furano-Biei area is this vast flower farm. It’s well known for the lavender field peaking in July, but it also showcases many different kinds of beautiful flowers throughout the year.
I recommend visiting here in the morning before it gets crowded towards the afternoon, especially on weekends. There are cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops on the farm.
INFORMATION
Opening hours: 9AM - 5PM
Access: 25 min by the Norokko Train to the Lavender Field Station, or 20 min walk from Naka Furano Station
Admission: Free
Hokusei Yama Lavender Field
If you are overwhelmed by the crowds in Farm Tomita, you can instead visit Hokusei Yama Lavender Field which sits on a ski slope. Take a 7-min lift ride to the summit while enjoying the view of the flowers. On the summit, you can view the Tokachi mountain range and the rural landscape of Hokkaido.
INFORMATION
Opening hours: 9AM - 4:40PM from late June to mid-August
Fee: 400 JPY for a round-trip lift ride
Access: 10 min walk from JR Nakafurano Station
Taste local handmade Jams
This charming local jam shop offers 38 kinds of handcrafted jams. Each jam is made without any added water or preservatives to ensure the pure, natural flavors of locally sourced fruits and vegetables.
Once you are here, you can also visit the Rokugo Observatory and the Anpanman Shop located just nearby.
Rokugo Observatory
With a 20-min walk from the jam shop, you can reach a view spot overlooking the beautiful sceneries of Rokugo and Furano. A highlight here is a rainbow flower field filled with colorful flowers planted in lines. If you are here in summer, make sure to stop by.
Anpanman Shop
Do you know Anpanman, a beloved Japanese anime character over generations? Located just next to the jam shop, this Anpanman Shop is the only shop directed by Takashi Yanase, the author of Anpanman. They have many Anpanman-featured items and a playroom that’s perfect for little kids.
Note: Anpanman Shop is under renovation at the moment and to be reopened in April 2025.
INFORMATION
Opening hours: 9:30-17:30
Access: 30 min taxi ride from JR Naka Furano Station or JR Furano Station
Where to stay in Furano
La Vista Furano Hills Natural Hot Spring
⭐4 stars, 🏢Excellent Location, ♨️Hot Spring, 🍴Great Breakfast
Mountain view city hotel with hot spring
Shin Furano Prince Hotel
⭐4 stars, 🏢Excellent Location, ♨️Hot Spring, 👨👩👧For Family
Prime location for Furano adventuresThe Furano Natulux Hotel
⭐4 stars, 🏢Excellent Location, ✨Modern Design, 👩❤️👨For Couple
Cozy hotel near JR Furano Station, perfect for a relaxing stay
>>> More hotel suggestions in Furano
THAT’S ALL!
Hope this 3-day itinerary for Asahikawa, Furano and Biei helps your trip planning! If you like this article, join my Hokkaido Travel Newsletter to receive more tips & local news exclusive to my subscribers!
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