Where can I meet the guide at the Biei bus tour meeting point?

If you arrive at the Biei bus tour meeting point at 8:20 AM, you'll find your guide standing just around the corner of the visible shop. The actual departure starts at 8:40 AM.

How can I avoid waiting in line for lunch during the Biei bus tour?

Lunch is served in Biei town, and your guide will provide a list of restaurants. If you decide on a restaurant in advance and head straight there as soon as you get off the bus, you can enjoy your meal without waiting.

What is the admission fee for the paid facilities at Ningle Terrace?

Next to Ningle Terrace, there is a facility you can enter for an admission fee of ~$2. Here, you can enjoy sledding activities like snow tubing, which is popular among families.

What should I consider when choosing a bus seat for the Biei bus tour?

Seats on the driver's side offer good views for sightseeing but can get sunny. Seats on the opposite side of the driver are more popular, and if you arrive late, you might be separated from your group, so it's best to board early.

Biei Bus Tour from Sapporo 2026: Ninguru Terrace & Scenic…

Hokkaido is brimming with famous attractions, but one experience you absolutely cannot miss is the...

... Sapporo Biei tour!

This comprehensive bus tour takes you through stunning landscapes, including Ninguru Terrace, the captivating Blue Pond (best seen in summer), the iconic Patchwork Road with its famous trees, and the majestic Shirahige Waterfall. It's truly a packed itinerary!

In this post, I'll walk you through each key stop, sharing my personal experiences and top tips to make your Biei adventure unforgettable.

Biei Bus Tour Meeting Point

We met at 8:20 AM at the location shown above. If you find this spot and wonder, "Why is no one here?", just walk around the corner of the building.

You'll find your friendly guide waiting there!

While the scheduled departure is usually 8:30 AM, it's always a good idea to arrive a bit early for a relaxed start. In our case, the bus actually departed around 8:40 AM.

Upon arrival, make sure to check your name off the list and use the restroom before boarding. This fair system ensures everyone gets a turn. However, a quick tip: if you arrive late, you might not be able to sit with your travel companions. On my Biei tour, one couple had to sit separately for this very reason!

Regarding seating, I personally found the right side of the bus (the driver's side in Japan) to offer better views. However, the left side seemed to be more popular among other passengers. Keep in mind that the sun tends to stream in more on the right side. So, if you're willing to embrace the sunlight for incredible vistas, pick the right. If you prefer to snooze or avoid the sun, the left side is a good choice. Rest assured, you'll still get fantastic views from either side!

Biei Christmas Tree

This spot speaks for itself. The scenery here is simply breathtaking.

You won't be alone – many other Biei bus tour groups will be here too, all eager to capture the perfect shot!

Patchwork Road (Takushinkan, Seven Star Tree, etc.)

Next up is Takushinkan and the nearby forest area, which is another prime photo spot (among others).

You need a good strategy here. Since you have limited time to explore Takushinkan and get your perfect photos, you'll need to quickly assess the crowd and plan your movements. While I usually prefer to move in reverse order, that's best when you're alone. With other groups around, observe quickly and make your move!

This was actually the spot where my Sapporo Biei tour experienced its longest delay.

Here's Takushinkan. You'll find restrooms in the building to the right, just before you reach this area.

This is the Seven Star Tree, but honestly, you'll get better photos along the path next to it.

If the melting snow isn't quite the vibe you're going for, try a slightly wider shot from a distance.

Something like this can create a beautiful effect.

Lunch in Biei (Local Restaurants & Cafes)

Next, we head to Biei town for lunch. The most famous spot here is Junpei, renowned for its shrimp tempura.

However, since I was on a Biei bus tour with a group, I didn't even consider Junpei for this trip. I plan to visit it another time when I can explore independently.

Many other restaurants in Biei close early, so you need to move quickly. Our guide provided a list of recommended eateries.

My ultimate tip: Instead of deciding once you get off the bus, pick your restaurant in advance and make a dash for it as soon as you arrive. I did this, and as a result, I was seated immediately, while others on my bus had a long wait behind me.

Ordering then stepping outside for a photo

Oh, I ended up eating at Daimaru.

By being efficient, I not only enjoyed my meal but also had time to grab a coffee at a cafe!

Shirahige Waterfall

Next, we visited Shirahige Waterfall. As we traveled deeper into the region, the snow became progressively thicker, which was a beautiful sight in itself.

The water here is a striking blue, and we learned that this same water eventually flows into the famous Blue Pond.

There aren't many specific tips for this location; just soak in the natural beauty!

Ninguru Terrace

This is the final stop on our Sapporo Biei tour. Inside, you'll find various souvenir shops, but photography is generally not allowed.

You might not have as much time here as you'd hope. If there were any delays earlier in the day, this is usually the spot where the schedule gets crunched.

Right next to Ninguru Terrace, there's an area you can enter for an admission fee of ~$2 USD.

As a travel blogger, I went inside to check it out, but personally, I don't think it's a must-do. They offer snow tubing (like sledding), so it's popular with families who want their kids to try it. The entrance fee includes one ride, but there was a queue, so I skipped it.

Across from Ninguru Terrace, in the hotel, you can buy Furano milk. It's incredibly rich and delicious, definitely worth a try!

Trying to cover so many amazing places in one post made it quite long, even after condensing it...

Perhaps I'll delve into each location separately in future posts. For now, this wraps up our adventure.

I booked my tour through this provider, and what truly stood out was our guide's genuine passion for Hokkaido. Not only did they share fascinating stories before each stop, but they also shared personal anecdotes about living there, gave recommendations for Biei restaurants, and even suggested various spots in Sapporo city and convenience store snacks!

I'm already planning to return in the summer to see the Blue Pond in its full glory.

That concludes our Biei tour, a fantastic journey from Sapporo all the way to Ninguru Terrace by bus.