How can I have a Junpei meal through the Indigo Travel Biei Tour?

When booking the Indigo Travel Biei Tour, you must explicitly state 'Junpei request' in the special requests section. However, reservations are not possible on Mondays, which is Junpei's regular closing day.

What was the price of the Indigo Travel Biei Tour during the February 2025 Snow Festival period?

During the February 2025 Snow Festival period (peak season), the price was ~$68 per person, totaling ~$137 for two people. With the first-time member signup coupon applied, the final reservation price was ~$130.

What are the differences between Indigo Travel Biei Tour's winter itinerary and those of other companies?

Unlike other companies, Indigo Travel's winter tour excludes the Ningle Terrace from its itinerary. Instead, a snow sledding experience is included in the tour package.

How can I utilize the DSLR photography service provided by Indigo Travel Biei Tour?

Our tour guide will personally take photos with a DSLR camera at each point. You will be guided to excellent photo spots, especially at popular locations like the Christmas Tree or Takushinkan, allowing for efficient photography.

Indigo Travel Biei Tour Review 2026: Junpei Dining & DSLR…

If you're planning a trip to Sapporo, chances are a visit to the picturesque town of Biei is high on your list.

However, figuring out the most efficient way to explore Biei can be a real head-scratcher.

With options like renting a car, taking a train, or joining a bus tour, there's a lot to consider. After weighing the pros and cons, I found that renting a car or taking the train didn't offer the best value for time. That's why I opted for a bus tour.

But with so many bus tour operators out there, choosing one can be overwhelming. For those of you facing the same dilemma, I'm going to share my detailed experience and insights focusing on Indigo Travel, the company I chose.

Why I Chose Indigo Travel

1. Guaranteed Junpei Restaurant Reservation (In-store dining, not takeout)

Junpei is an incredibly famous restaurant in Biei, and I really wanted to experience it. The fact that Indigo Travel could secure a reservation for in-store dining was a huge selling point.

(Note: Junpei is closed every Monday, so reservations are not possible on Mondays.)

2. Professional DSLR Photography Service

I'm not the best at taking photos, so a professional photography service was a massive bonus. Our guide took fantastic pictures of us at every key spot.

3. Early Start, Early Return Itinerary

Most restaurants in Sapporo close by 9 or 10 PM. Because of this, I preferred a tour that started early and returned early, allowing us to enjoy dinner back in the city.

Booking Information / Price / Coupon Tips

I booked directly through the Indigo Travel official website.

For the peak season during the Snow Festival in February 2026:

● The base price was ~$68 per person, so for 2 people, it was ~$137.

● After applying a first-time member coupon, I paid ~$130.

If you wish to visit Junpei,

make sure to specify 'Junpei Request' in your booking notes.

Indigo Travel Biei Tour Itinerary

Indigo Travel offers different tour itineraries for winter and summer.

Unlike some other companies, the winter tour excludes Ningle Terrace but includes a snow sledding experience.

Our Actual Tour Experience, Starting from the Meeting Point

● Meeting Point: Sapporo Station

We stayed at a hotel near Sapporo Station, so getting to the meeting point was super convenient.

At the meeting spot, several tour guides were holding flags for different companies. The 'Indigo Travel' flag was easy to spot.

1. Sunagawa Rest Stop

Unfortunately, one group on our tour was late, and combined with traffic, our stop at the rest area was incredibly short.

I barely had time to use the restroom and missed out on trying the famous bottled milk everyone raves about.

Due to the tight schedule, our guide quickly adjusted the itinerary for Patchwork Road, so we had a brief look before heading straight to our main destination: Junpei.

2. Junpei Lunch

We arrived at Junpei just in time. Our guide was incredibly thoughtful, skipping their own meal to help with serving and ordering so we could enjoy our lunch and explore Biei town at ease. It was so touching! 😢

Without a reservation, you'd be waiting in line like the people in the photo, but with Indigo Travel, we walked right in. Some tours claim to offer Junpei reservations but only provide takeout bentos, so always double-check before booking any tour.

Thanks to the seamless dining experience, we had plenty of time to wander through Biei, which truly felt like a village out of a painting, and even relax with a cup of coffee.

3. Christmas Tree

As one of Biei's most famous spots, it was bustling with people.

Amidst the crowds, our guide expertly led us to the best photo spots! Thanks to them, we didn't have to wait in the cold and came away with tons of beautiful pictures.

4. Takushinkan (Birch Tree Forest)

Our guide also captured stunning photos of us at Takushinkan, famous for its beautiful birch tree forest.

And here's a crucial tip for any bus tour:

Always try to secure the front seats on the bus.

You'll hear the explanations better and be the first to get off, take photos, and explore, making the entire itinerary feel much more relaxed.

5. Snow Sledding Experience

Snow sled rental costs 200 JPY per person. Our guide checked how many people wanted to sled while on the bus, collected the money, and even handled the ticketing for us.

As soon as we arrived, we could jump right into the snow fun! :)

Shirahige Waterfall requires a short walk uphill from where the bus drops you off.

6. Final Stop: Shirahige Waterfall

Our guide also offered to take photos at Shirahige Waterfall and the sledding area. However, since we were in the front seats and had already taken plenty of pictures, we happily offered the opportunity to those sitting further back on the bus.

On our way back after the final stop,

we saw several cars involved in accidents due to unexpected heavy snowfall. It made me realize how dangerous it would have been to drive ourselves in such weather.

Although our arrival was slightly delayed, we were incredibly grateful to get back safely.

This tour is an excellent choice for first-time visitors to Biei or anyone looking for a more efficient way to explore than renting a car or taking the train.

Finally, a huge thank you to our guide, Tochi!

Despite various challenges like the weather, they skillfully adjusted the itinerary and flawlessly led the tour from start to finish. We truly appreciated their expertise! :)

✅ Guaranteed Junpei restaurant reservations & professional DSLR photography service.

✅ If you're lucky enough to have Tochi, a Hokkaido native, as your guide, prepare for a treasure trove of local restaurant recommendations!

✅ As with any group bus tour, if some participants are late, it can shorten the time at other destinations. (Fingers crossed for no