There is no year-round direct train from Sapporo to Furano or Biei. For Furano, the simplest year-round option is the direct Furano-go highway bus (¥2,700). For Biei, take the limited express to Asahikawa (from 1 hour 25 minutes) and change to a local train on the Furano Line (about 32 minutes). In summer JR also runs a direct Furano Lavender Express on selected days, and by car Furano is about 2 hours 10 minutes from Sapporo.
Options at a glance
| Option | Time (one way) | Price (adult, one way) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highway bus Furano-go (Sapporo → Furano) | About 2 hours 55 minutes (operator's figure) | ¥2,700 (round trip ¥5,100) | Direct; pay when you get off |
| JR via Asahikawa (Sapporo → Biei) | From 1 hour 25 minutes to Asahikawa, then about 32 minutes to Biei | Limited express fare plus local train fare | Change at Asahikawa; the limited express is all-reserved |
| Furano Lavender Express (Sapporo → Furano) | About 2 hours (7:41 → 9:44 in 2026) | ¥5,440 regular; ¥2,720–4,890 with Eki-net Tokudane 1 | Summer only, selected days; 2027 not yet announced |
| Car | About 2 hours 10 minutes to Furano; about 2 hours 30 minutes to Biei | Fuel, tolls and rental | Summer driving times without breaks |
From Hokkaido Chuo Bus's Furano-go page, JR Hokkaido's Furano and Biei 2026 announcement and Kamui and Lilac announcement, the Furano Tourism Association's access page and the Biei Tourism Association's access page, checked October 20, 2026.
By highway bus: Furano-go
Hokkaido Chuo Bus runs the Furano-go from Sapporo Station-mae to Furano Station-mae, a route of 144 km with no rest stop. The adult fare is ¥2,700 one way or ¥5,100 round trip, paid when you get off (IC cards accepted). The operator gives the journey as about 2 hours 55 minutes; the Sapporo departures on its timetable when we checked ran from 8:50 to 18:40. Buses have a toilet, four-across reclining seats and free Wi-Fi, and when one is full you may be offered a folding seat or the next bus.
For skiers, the bus also stops at Kitanomine-iriguchi before Furano town, and the Furano Tourism Association lists the Shimanoshita stop for Highland Furano. Check the current timetable before you travel, especially in winter.
By train: via Asahikawa
Take the Kamui or Lilac limited express from Sapporo to Asahikawa (from 1 hour 25 minutes; see our Sapporo to Asahikawa guide for tickets and discounts), then a local train on the JR Furano Line. The Biei Tourism Association gives about 32 minutes from Asahikawa to Biei, and about 36 minutes from Biei on to Furano. In 2026 JR Hokkaido listed the regular fare from Asahikawa as ¥680 to Biei and ¥1,380 to Furano.
JR also reaches Furano from the other side, changing at Takikawa. Whichever way you go, the connections matter more than the train times, so check the timetable for your day.
The Furano Lavender Express is JR Hokkaido's direct summer train between Sapporo and Furano via Takikawa. In 2026 it ran on selected days, all-reserved, leaving Sapporo at 7:41 and reaching Furano at 9:44, returning from Furano at 16:53. JR gave the regular price as ¥5,440 and the Eki-net Tokudane 1 discount as ¥2,720–4,890. The slow Furano-Biei Norokko sightseeing train made its last run on September 23, 2026.
With a rail pass
The Sapporo–Furano Area Pass (for holders of non-Japanese passports) covers limited express, rapid and local trains in its area for 4 days: ¥11,000 bought in advance or ¥12,000 at a station. JR Hokkaido's example compares it with ¥13,520 for a regular Sapporo–Furano round trip via Asahikawa. You still need to reserve seats on limited expresses. See our Hokkaido rail pass guide.
Between Furano and Biei
The two towns are about 36–40 minutes apart on the JR Furano Line, according to the Biei and Furano tourism associations. Furano Bus's Lavender bus links them in about 46 minutes, and Furano Bus runs from Asahikawa Airport to Biei in about 16 minutes. By car it is about 40 minutes on Route 237.
Planning tips
These are our suggestions, not official advice.
- Furano only: the direct bus is the easiest year-round choice, with no change.
- Biei, or both towns: go via Asahikawa, and consider a night in Asahikawa, Biei or Furano rather than a long day trip.
- Winter: allow extra time for snow; see our winter transport guide and Furano and Biei in winter.
- Summer: the lavender season is busy; see our Furano and Biei guide. If you are going on to the hot springs, see Furano and Biei to Noboribetsu.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Sapporo to Furano? By the Furano-go highway bus (¥2,700, about 2 hours 55 minutes), by JR with a change at Asahikawa or Takikawa, or by car (about 2 hours 10 minutes). In summer a direct Furano Lavender Express runs on selected days.
How do I get from Sapporo to Biei? Take the limited express to Asahikawa (from 1 hour 25 minutes), then the Furano Line to Biei (about 32 minutes).
Is there a direct train from Sapporo to Furano? Only the Furano Lavender Express, which ran on selected summer days in 2026. At other times you change trains.
Can I visit Furano and Biei as a day trip from Sapporo? It is possible, but in our view the journey each way makes it a long day; staying a night is more relaxed.
Sources: Hokkaido Chuo Bus, Furano-go; JR Hokkaido, "JR de iku Furano Biei 2026" (March 25, 2026) and Kamui and Lilac announcement (May 28, 2026); Furano Tourism Association, access; Biei Tourism Association, access; the rail pass comparison as cited in our rail pass guide. Checked October 20, 2026. Times and fares can change; check before you travel. Planning tips are our editorial judgement.
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Northern Land Hokkaido Team — Sapporo, Japan