Sapporo Biei Bus Tour Review 2026: An Easy Way to Explore Hokkaido

Planning a trip to Sapporo often brings up the age-old question: should I rent a car? While driving at home might be second nature, navigating foreign roads can add a layer of stress. Luckily, for exploring nearby Otaru, the train is perfect, and for the stunning Biei and Furano regions, a guided bus tour offers a truly comfortable and hassle-free experience without needing a rental car.

During my recent Sapporo adventure, I opted for the popular Yu Tour Bus for my Biei-Furano excursion. I'm excited to share my experience, including what to prepare and the overall duration of the tour.

Yu Tour Bus Meeting Point

The Yu Tour Bus departs from the group bus stop at JR Sapporo Station's North Exit. Many travelers book accommodations near Susukino Station, which is about a 15-minute walk away. Make sure to factor in extra time to arrive comfortably.

The bus itself was in excellent condition! After a quick name check, we boarded.

While there are several Biei tour operators, I chose Yu Tour Bus for a few key reasons. First, they're incredibly well-known and often mentioned when discussing Sapporo bus tours. Second, they arrange lunch reservations at Junpei, a famous local restaurant, making dining super convenient (though I opted for a different local spot). The guides also take photos at each location, and the overall itinerary flows seamlessly, ensuring you make the most of your day.

I actually booked through the Yu Tour Bus official website, but I ended up paying over ~$51 due to it being peak season and no discounts. Don't make my mistake! Save some money and book through one of the travel agencies listed above!

⬇️Book Your Sapporo Biei Bus Tour on Klook⬇️

Our Tour Itinerary

Our original itinerary was supposed to start at Shikisai no Oka, but since rain was forecasted for the afternoon, our guide flexibly adjusted the schedule to visit the Blue Pond first.

The Blue Pond truly lives up to its name, with water so vibrantly blue it looks like a scene from a movie. It's as if someone poured rich blue paint into the depths.

It reminded me of the stunning water colors I saw a few years ago at Plitvice Lakes in Croatia. I've seen countless lakes, but never one with such an intense hue.

The Blue Pond's color isn't always the same; it shifts with temperature and season, appearing as turquoise or a deep sapphire. In winter, with snow-covered trees and foliage, it emits a breathtaking white glow.

As we head into autumn, it gets surprisingly chilly here. I visited in early September, and it was already too cold for just a t-shirt; I definitely made a clothing mistake! I was shivering all day! A light cardigan won't cut it, so I recommend bringing a light jacket or puffer.

Next, we moved on to Shirahige Waterfall.

Wow, Shirahige Waterfall is also incredible! Looking down, the slope is dizzying, and the water starts turning blue even before it hits the bottom.

Located in Biei's Shirogane Onsen, you can admire the long, beard-like streams of water cascading down.

After a brief stop at Shirahige Waterfall, we headed to Shikisai no Oka. While the lavender season was mostly over in September, other flowers were in full, vibrant bloom, allowing for plenty of beautiful photos.

Even after visiting many famous flower gardens in places like Jeju Island, the sheer scale here in Japan is incomparable. It feels like you could easily spend an hour just walking around this vast expanse.

Walk a little further, and you'll find plenty of spots to take photos without crowds. The hill has a decent incline, so if you get too absorbed by the flowers and wander too far down, you'll have a tough climb back up. It's best to go about halfway and then turn back.

As soon as we arrived at Biei Station, the rain started. This quaint rural town, with its natural scenery, is usually great for photos, but the gloomy sky dampened the mood a bit, haha. Since this stop is mainly for lunch, there isn't much walking around to do. As I mentioned earlier, choosing the Yu Tour Bus means you can enjoy a meal at Junpei without the long wait.

I prefer to avoid places crowded with tourists, so I visited a local udon shop and a small independent cafe instead. I'll be sure to post about them separately later. If you're curious, let me know in the comments!

We then saw the Seven Star Tree, Oyako Tree, and Ken & Mary Tree. These spots are apparently famous for appearing in movies or being featured in celebrity photos. People were lining up to take pictures, but I opted to admire them from a distance!

Finally, we explored Farm Tomita. Known as a mecca for lavender tourism in Hokkaido, Farm Tomita's size also took me by surprise.

I enjoyed a slice of my beloved Yubari melon while leisurely strolling around. After seeing Shikisai no Oka, the flowers here didn't quite leave the same impression, haha. Everyone was starting to get tired, so we spent less time walking and more time grabbing snacks near the entrance or browsing souvenirs.

And that concluded our Sapporo Biei Furano bus tour. While renting a car is an option, I truly believe a bus tour offers unmatched convenience in terms of cost and time.

This is an essential tour for any Sapporo trip, so I highly recommend booking your bus tour as soon as your travel dates are set. If you don't book at least 3 days in advance, you might struggle to get a spot on your desired date.

⬇️Book Your Sapporo Biei Bus Tour on Klook⬇️

[Korean Guide] Biei Furano Sapporo Station Departure Hokkaido 1-Day Bus Tour Northern Hokkaido Independent Travel Yu Tour Bus - Klook3ha.in