Central Hokkaido in summer is a landscape of rolling agricultural fields, flower farms, and volcanic mountains under wide blue skies. This itinerary covers the Furano–Biei corridor (famous for lavender in July and patchwork flower fields through September), with extensions to Asahikawa for the zoo and ramen, and the foothills of Daisetsuzan National Park for hiking.
A rental car is strongly recommended for this route. Furano and Biei’s attractions are spread across rural countryside with limited bus service. Car rental details in our rental guide.
Day 1: Arrive, Pick Up Car, Drive to Furano
Morning: Arrive at New Chitose Airport. Pick up rental car at the airport counter (book in advance through ToCoo! or RentalCars.com).
Drive to Furano: Approximately 2 hours via highway. Stop at a michi-no-eki (roadside rest station) along the way for lunch and local produce. The landscape transitions from suburban to agricultural as you head inland.
Afternoon: Check into accommodation in Furano. If arriving early enough, visit Ningle Terrace — a collection of small log-cabin craft workshops in the forest behind the New Furano Prince Hotel. The atmosphere is gentle and the handmade goods are genuine.
Evening: Dinner in Furano town. Try Furano’s signature omu-curry (omelette curry) at one of the local restaurants, or jingisukan using local lamb.
Day 2: Furano Flower Fields and Cheese
Morning: Farm Tomita. Arrive early (before 09:00) to beat the tour bus crowds. The lavender fields peak in mid-July but other flowers (poppies, marigolds, salvia) extend the colourful season from June through September. The lavender soft serve ice cream here is one of Hokkaido’s most iconic treats. Free entry.
Late morning: Furano Cheese Factory. A short drive from Farm Tomita. Watch cheese being made, sample the products, and optionally do a cheese or butter-making workshop. Free entry; workshops from approximately ¥900.
Afternoon: Drive to Nakafurano’s Lavender Garden (a quieter alternative to Farm Tomita) or visit the Furano Wine Factory for tastings of local wine made from Hokkaido grapes.
Evening: Dinner at a Furano farm restaurant. Several farms in the area operate seasonal dining using their own produce.
Day 3: Biei — Blue Pond, Patchwork Road, Flower Hills
Morning: Drive to Biei (approximately 30 minutes from Furano). Start at the Blue Pond (Aoi Ike) — a volcanic mineral pond with an otherworldly cobalt blue colour caused by aluminium compounds in the water. It has become one of Hokkaido’s most photographed spots since Apple used an image as an iPhone wallpaper. Visit early to avoid crowds; parking can fill by mid-morning in peak season.
Mid-morning: Shirahige Waterfall, a short drive from the Blue Pond. Hot spring water cascades over the cliff into the blue river below.
Late morning: Shikisai no Oka (Hill of Four Seasons). A flower park with strips of different flowers creating rainbow-coloured bands against a mountain backdrop. It’s photogenic from any angle. Entry approximately ¥500 (seasonal).
Afternoon: Drive the Patchwork Road — a series of rolling hills divided into different crop fields creating a patchwork effect. Best done by car, stopping at viewpoints. The specific famous trees (Ken and Mary’s Tree, Seven Stars Tree) draw crowds but the broader landscape is equally impressive from anywhere along the route.
Evening: Stay in Biei or return to Furano. Biei has several pensions (small guesthouses) with farm-to-table dining.
Day 4: Asahikawa — Zoo and Ramen
Morning: Drive to Asahikawa (approximately 40 minutes from Biei). Visit Asahiyama Zoo — Japan’s northernmost zoo, famous for innovative enclosures that let you observe animals from unique perspectives. In summer, the focus shifts from the winter penguin walk to polar bears, red pandas, and the underwater seal viewing tunnel. Allow 2–3 hours.
Alternatively, book a guided day tour through Klook if you prefer not to drive.
Lunch: Asahikawa Ramen Village. Eight ramen shops under one roof, each representing a different approach to Asahikawa’s distinctive shoyu (soy sauce) style ramen. The double-soup technique (pork broth + seafood dashi) creates a layered, complex flavour different from Sapporo’s miso. See our ramen guide.
Afternoon: If time and energy permit, drive toward Sounkyo Gorge (approximately 60 minutes) for dramatic cliff scenery and hot springs. Otherwise, return to Furano or Biei at a relaxed pace.
Evening: Stay in Asahikawa, Sounkyo, or return to Furano/Biei.
Day 5: Daisetsuzan or Tokachi Options
Option A: Daisetsuzan National Park
Drive to Asahidake Ropeway (approximately 60 minutes from Asahikawa). The ropeway ascends to 1,600m, where alpine hiking trails wind through volcanic terrain, wildflower meadows (late June through July), and expansive mountain views. The Sugatami Pond Circuit is a gentle 1.5-hour loop suitable for most fitness levels.
Option B: Tokachi/Obihiro
Drive south from Furano to the Tokachi region (approximately 2 hours). Obihiro is famous for butadon (charcoal-grilled pork rice bowl) and Rokkatei sweets. The Tokachi area has farm stays, horse riding, and cheese producers including Hanabatake Bokujo. A different character from the Furano corridor — wider, flatter, more agricultural.
Day 6: Return to Sapporo or Airport
Morning: Depart Furano/Biei area. If returning to Sapporo, the drive takes approximately 2 hours.
Option: Stop in Otaru on the way back for a sushi lunch and canal walk (adds approximately 30 minutes to the drive). See our guide to Hokkaido sushi.
Afternoon: Drop off rental car at Sapporo Station or New Chitose Airport. If your flight is later, Sapporo offers plenty to fill remaining hours — Nijo Market, a final bowl of miso ramen in Susukino, or last-minute souvenir shopping at the airport.
Budget Estimate
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rental car (6 days) | ¥30,000 | ¥42,000 | ¥60,000 |
| Fuel + tolls | ¥12,000 | ¥15,000 | ¥18,000 |
| Accommodation (5 nights) | ¥25,000 | ¥50,000 | ¥100,000 |
| Food | ¥15,000 | ¥30,000 | ¥50,000 |
| Activities/entry | ¥3,000 | ¥6,000 | ¥10,000 |
| Total per person | ¥85,000 (~$585) | ¥143,000 (~$985) | ¥238,000 (~$1,640) |