How to get there

Where is Furano?
Furano is located in Central Hokkaido. Asahikawa city is an hour away and Sapporo is about 2-3 hours away. Furano makes a good base for a holiday from which nearby resorts can be accessed.

Other Ski Resorts Nearby
Resorts near Furano include Tomamu, Sahoro, Mount Racey, Kamui Links, and Asahidake. Transport can be organised through the North Country Inn or the tourist information centre to: Kamui Links on Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri for a round–trip fare of ¥2,500; Asahidake for ¥9,000 which includes transport and lift ticket; and Tomamu for ¥9,000 which also includes a lift ticket.

Getting To Furano From Chitose airport or Sapporo, Furano can be accessed by JR train in two ways. Either way will include a transfer at Sapporo Station. The first option is via Takikawa Station which takes approximately 2 hours. The second option is to come via Asahikawa Station. JR runs a “Lavender Express” from Sapporo Station to Furano Station – check out the JR Hokkaido English website.

You’ll need to catch a taxi from Furano Station to the ski area which will cost about ¥1,000 and take 5-10 minutes. Taxis are readily available, but you’ll have to search for one with roof racks if you have a big ski or board bag.

There are direct buses from the New Chitose Airport to the resort, conveniently stopping at major hotels, which take about 3 hours. Good Sports and Hokkaido Resort Liner run these services for which you’ll need to pre-book.

There is an express bus from Sapporo to Downtown Furano by Chuo Bus Co. with an hourly service from 8am -6pm from a bus terminal in the basement of Sapporo Station. It takes about 3 hours with a cost of ¥2,200 one-way.

From Asahikawa City or Airport: The train from Asahikawa to Furano is only ¥1,040 and takes one hour depending upon how express it is. You’ll then need to take a 5-10 minute taxi to the ski area.

There are hourly buses from Asahikawa City to the resort which take about 1 hour and 30 minutes, via Asahikawa Airport called the “Lavender Go”. These drop you off at the New Furano Prince Hotel and the Kitanomine hotel area.

From the airport, if you’ll be travelling around a bit, the other option is to rent a car. Nissan and Toyota have desks inside the airport. For an extra charge, it’s possible to drop the car off at Furano rather than back at the airport. It’s fairly well sign-posted but hit the R273 directly to Furano. Don’t confuse Furano with all it’s neighbours – Nakafurano, Kamifurano, and Minamifurano.

From Tomamu: There are buses that can be organised through tourist information at either resort at a cost of ¥2,000, which take about 50 minutes between resorts. Hokkaido Powder Guides also run tours between the resorts.

Getting Around Furano The main town is a five minute taxi ride from either hotel area of the resort, and will cost about ¥1,000. There are also evening shuttle buses each hour from the New Furano Prince Hotel and a few key hotels in the Kitanomine area such as the Bell Hills Hotel. This shuttle bus used to be free, but it now costs ¥100. You’re supposed to pre-buy these tickets at your accommodation or the information centre, but you’ll get away with buying them on board if necessary.

Key Transport Operators

	Hokkaido Resort Liner - Bus Transfers The most economical & efficient way to get to and from Sapporo/Airport to Hokkaido resorts including Niseko, Rusutsu, Furano, Kiroro, Kokusai, Sahoro & Tomamu.

	International Rail - JR Rail Passes International rail is a specialist rail travel company. Buy JR Rail Passes online. 5 or 10 consecutive days or 4 days in a 30 day period. Non-Japanese residents only. Must be purchased outside of Japan.