Sapporo Day Tour Review: Furano's Flower Fields and Biei's Blue Pond

Meeting in Sapporo, Heading to Hokkaido's Famous Flower Fields and Waters

This tour departs from Sapporo and takes you through Furano's flower fields and Biei's Blue Pond (Shirogane Blue Pond) in a single day, complete with a guide. Prices start from ¥7,500, with a rating of 4.6 based on 195 reviews. Guidance is available in English, Chinese, and Japanese.

There are two departure routes: early morning and late departure. The early-morning tour visits Biei's iconic Seven Star Tree and Ken and Mary's Tree, with an optional melon buffet available as an add-on. The late-departure tour allows for a more relaxed morning and includes the winding "Patchwork Road" (Jet Coaster Road), Shirahige Falls, and an evening visit to the illuminated Ningle Terrace.

Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before departure. The bus departs on schedule, and no refunds are given for late arrivals. For details, check the booking page here.

First Stop: Farm Tomita's Lavender Fields

Farm Tomita is Furano's most iconic flower field. During peak season from July to early August, lavender, sage, and cosmos blanket the sloping fields in vivid color.

The blooms change with the seasons. From late May to June, you'll find lupines, tulips, and rapeseed flowers. From late August to September, sunflowers and zinnias take center stage, while October brings marigolds paired with autumn foliage.

Since blooming depends on weather and temperature, the scenery looks different depending on when you visit. No matter the season, though, the flowing bands of color across the fields remain a constant highlight.

Next Stop: Shikisai-no-Oka, Where Bands of Color Flow Across the Hillside

Shikisai-no-Oka is a flower garden where rows of vividly colored blooms are planted in ribbons across Biei's rolling hills. Purple gayfeather and yellow-and-orange stripes layer together beautifully across the undulating terrain.

From summer into early autumn, dahlias and sunflowers join the mix, changing the color palette throughout the season. Because the hills have such distinct elevation changes, even a short walk reveals entirely new combinations of color.

Near the entrance, you'll also find straw-bale characters—a favorite spot for photos with the blue sky and rolling hills as a backdrop.

Driving Through Biei: Wheat Fields and Hay Rolls

In Biei, the drive itself becomes part of the experience. Golden fields dotted with hay rolls after the harvest capture the essence of summer in Hokkaido.

The early-morning tour visits iconic solitary trees like the Seven Star Tree and Ken and Mary's Tree. The late-departure tour takes you along the winding "Patchwork Road," known locally as the Jet Coaster Road.

For smaller groups, a HiAce van or minibus is used, with the driver guiding you along the route.

The Highlight: Shirogane Blue Pond, With Its Turquoise Waters and Dead Trees

The Shirogane Blue Pond is one of Biei's most famous sights, where dead trees rise from strikingly blue-tinted waters. The depth of the blue shifts depending on the weather and light, often appearing almost turquoise on a clear day.

A walking path circles the pond, letting you take in the contrast between the green forest and the blue water as you stroll. The nearby shop also sells light-blue soft-serve ice cream inspired by the pond's color.

The late-departure tour also includes a stop at nearby Shirahige Falls.

The Final Stop: Ningle Terrace Lit Up at Dusk (Late-Departure Route Only)

The late-departure tour ends with a visit to the illuminated Ningle Terrace, nestled in a forest in Furano. Small log-built workshops line a wooden boardwalk, and as night falls, warm light from windows and lanterns fills the woods.

Each building houses a craft shop, with wooden signs bearing the names carved into them. Strolling along the boardwalk and peeking into each shop creates an atmosphere completely different from the flower fields you visited earlier in the day.

Also, no matter which package you book, showing your voucher at the Sapporo TV Tower 1F Information Center (open 9:30–18:30) will get you a free Hokkaido-limited postcard.

Optional Add-On for the Early-Morning Route: Melon Buffet

Those taking the early-morning route can add an optional melon buffet—perfect for travelers who want to sample Hokkaido's famous produce all in one place.

Since the menu and format vary by plan, it's a good idea to confirm whether the option is available and how much it costs at the time of booking.

What to Check Before Booking

• Whether to choose the early-morning or late-departure route
• Departure time and meeting point details
• Arrival at least 10 minutes before departure (no refunds for late arrivals)
• Flower bloom timing for your travel dates
• Availability and cost of the melon buffet option
• Languages offered (English, Chinese, Japanese)
• Possibility of a HiAce van or minibus for smaller groups
• Possible itinerary changes due to weather or traffic conditions
• No refunds due to flower bloom conditions
• Location and hours for postcard redemption
• Cancellation and change policies
• Current pricing and availability

Flower blooms are strongly affected by weather and temperature, and delays or early ends to the bloom season are not eligible for refunds. Checking the expected bloom timing for your travel dates in advance can help you avoid disappointment.

In Summary

This Sapporo-based day tour to Furano and Biei combines some of Hokkaido's most iconic sights—Farm Tomita and Shikisai-no-Oka's flower fields, and the Shirogane Blue Pond—into a single guided bus tour. Prices start from ¥7,500, with a rating of 4.6 based on 195 reviews.

The early-morning route visits Biei's Seven Star Tree and Ken and Mary's Tree, with an optional melon buffet available. The late-departure route passes through the Patchwork Road and Shirahige Falls before ending with the illuminated Ningle Terrace.

This tour is ideal for travelers who want to efficiently cover Hokkaido's vast scenery without the burden of driving. Since schedules, pricing, and plan details may change, check the booking page here for the latest information.