Hokkaido Day Trip from Sapporo: Biei, Aoike, Furano Flowers

Roller Coaster Road, a blue pond that shifts in the light, and a 15-hectare flower carpet across rolling hills

A 9-hour day trip from Sapporo covers four stops across Hokkaido's Furano and Biei regions: the Roller Coaster Road (a 2.5-kilometer descent through mountain landscape), Aoike (a blue pond formed by volcanic damming), Shikisai-no-Oka flower fields with over 30 seasonal varieties, and Ningle Terrace (handmade craft shops in a forest setting). A live guide in English, Japanese or Chinese leads the route. Vehicle, fuel and tolls are included. Departure times are 8am or 8:10am depending on the option chosen, and you pick whether to add a buffet meal or skip it at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hokkaido Day Trip Highlights

• Drive Roller Coaster Road
• Visit Aoike Blue Pond
• Explore Shikisai-no-Oka flower fields
• Shop at Ningle Terrace

The experience

The day starts with a pickup at Sapporo Subway Odori Station (Exit 31) and heads south into Furano. The first stop is the Roller Coaster Road, a 2.5-kilometer stretch of highway that rises and falls through majestic mountains and lush gardens. You stay in the vehicle and watch the landscape roll past. From there the route moves to Aoike, also called Biei Green Pond, a small body of water on the left bank of the Biei River. The pond was formed by a dam built to block volcanic magma flow, and its water contains minerals and volcanic ash that catch sunlight in shifting shades of blue. The color changes throughout the day depending on the angle of light and atmospheric conditions, which is why it was once photographed by a National Geographic photographer and later became a default Mac desktop image.

Shikisai-no-Oka takes up roughly 50 minutes of the day. The flower field spans 15 hectares across rolling hills and blooms from late May through late October with over 30 varieties (tulips, lavender, sunflowers and others) arranged in patterns that shift with the season. Giant straw figures stand in the fields, and alpacas live on-site if you want to feed them (that costs 500 JPY separately). The itinerary adjusts based on actual bloom conditions, so the exact flowers you see depend on when you visit. Lunch and remaining travel time fill the hours between stops. You choose at booking whether to add a buffet meal or go without.

The final stop is Ningle Terrace in Furano, a forest workshop of small handmade shops inspired by a character from Japanese writer Satoshi Kuramoto's novels. The cabins sell one-of-a-kind items (glass crafts, paper crafts, hand paintings, dried lavender goods) each piece unique to this location. The tour ends back in Sapporo. A guide travels with the group and speaks English, Japanese or Chinese. Luggage is not recommended for a one-day trip, though you can register one bag per person at booking for an extra 100 JPY if needed. Arrive at the pickup location 10 minutes early. The bus will not wait for late arrivals.

What’s included

• Live guide in English, Japanese or Chinese.
• vehicle, fuel, tolls and highway service fees.
• entry to Shikisai-no-Oka flower fields. Buffet lunch is optional depending on which departure time and meal option you choose at checkout.

Options for this experience

6 options

Tour without meals, 08:00Guide in English, Chinese or Japanese · 08:00A 9-hour tour without meals, departing at 08:00

Meal-free tour, 08:10Guide in English, Chinese or Japanese · 08:10A 9-hour car or bus tour without meals, departing at 08:10. Starting point: Sapporo Station North Exit group bus stop (Hokkaido Resort Liner meeting point), Japan, 060-0807 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Kita Ward, Kita 7 Jōnishi, 3-chōme, inside the Sapporo Station North Exit bus rotary (group bus boarding area)

Tour with buffet, 08:00Guide in English, Chinese or Japanese · 08:00A 9-hour tour with a buffet, departing at 08:00

See 3 more options

Buffet tour, 08:10Guide in English, Chinese or Japanese · 08:10A 9-hour car or bus tour with a buffet, departing at 08:10. Starting point: Sapporo Station North Exit group bus stop (Hokkaido Resort Liner meeting point), Japan, 060-0807 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Kita Ward, Kita 7 Jōnishi, 3-chōme, inside the Sapporo Station North Exit bus rotary (group bus boarding area)

Buffet and cantaloupe included, 08:00Guide in English, Chinese or Japanese · 08:00A 9-hour tour that includes a buffet and cantaloupe, departing at 08:00

Buffet and cantaloupe, 08:10Guide in English, Chinese or Japanese · 08:10A 9-hour car or bus tour with a buffet and cantaloupe, departing at 08:10. Starting point: Sapporo Station North Exit group bus stop (Hokkaido Resort Liner meeting point), Japan, 060-0807 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Kita Ward, Kita 7 Jōnishi, 3-chōme, inside the Sapporo Station North Exit bus rotary (group bus boarding area)

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDepartures at 08:00 and 08:10Last departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesAdult (3 to 69 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 45

Live guideEnglish, Chinese and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Scenic Bend

Is this one for you?Choose the 8am departure if you want to reach Shikisai-no-Oka early when light is clearest on the flower fields and Aoike's blue is most vivid. The 8:10am slot works if a slightly later start fits your schedule better. Both are shared-group tours, so you travel with other guests and follow a fixed route and timing.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Japanese and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

What exactly is the Roller Coaster Road?

The Roller Coaster Road is a 2.5-kilometer stretch of highway in Furano that dips and rises through mountain terrain, creating the sensation of a roller coaster as you drive. It's one of Furano's eight scenic spots and you view it from the vehicle as the guide points out the landscape on both sides.

Why does Aoike turn blue?

Aoike's water contains minerals and sandy volcanic ash that reflect sunlight in varying shades of blue depending on the time of day and atmospheric conditions. The color shifts throughout your visit, which is why the pond is sometimes called Japan's "Little Dragon" and was featured in National Geographic photography.

When do the flowers bloom at Shikisai-no-Oka?

Flowers bloom from late May through late October, with over 30 varieties including tulips, lavender and sunflowers. The exact blooming dates vary each year, so the tour itinerary may adjust based on conditions at the time you visit to show you the best display.

What is Ningle Terrace?

Ningle Terrace is a forest workshop in Furano with small handmade shops selling unique crafts (glass, paper, hand paintings and dried lavender goods) each item made and sold only here. The concept was inspired by a character in Japanese novelist Satoshi Kuramoto's books.

Do I need to bring luggage on this tour?

Luggage is not recommended for a one-day trip. If you need to carry one bag per person, register it when you book and pay an extra 100 JPY. More than one piece per guest is not allowed.