Sapporo Biei Winter Tour 2026: Junpei & DSLR Photos

A winter trip to Sapporo just isn't complete without experiencing the pristine, snowy landscapes of Biei. While I dreamt of seeing Biei's white wonderland, I wasn't confident driving on icy roads, and the sheer number of similar-looking tours made choosing one a real challenge. After carefully comparing options based on the Junpei meal experience, departure times, and photography services, I ultimately chose Indigo Travel.

If you're currently weighing your Biei tour options, take a look at my reasons for selecting Indigo Travel and my honest review of the experience!

Choosing My Biei Winter Tour: Here's How I Decided

※ Prices are based on the peak February season and can vary. Always confirm current rates before booking.

Even though Indigo Travel was the priciest option, it also had the most positive reviews among the three. My main criteria were enjoying a meal at the actual Junpei restaurant (not a bento box) and having professional photos taken. This narrowed my choices down to White Shadow and Indigo Travel.

Ultimately, I chose Indigo Travel because of its earlier departure time. In winter, roads can get congested due to heavy snow, so an early start felt like a smart move to maximize our day.

What sealed the deal was the DSLR photography service. My partner and I are notoriously bad at taking photos, so having a professional capture beautiful shots of us together was a huge advantage. We really wanted some proper couple photos from our trip! 🥲

Public Toilet (Sapporo station North Exit) · 3 Chome-12-2 Kita 7 Jonishi, Kita Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0807, Japanmaps.app.goo.gl

The meeting point was in front of the public restrooms at Sapporo Station's North Exit. Meeting time was 7:20 AM, with departure at 7:40 AM!

Here's a Pro Tip 🐻🍯

If you want to snag your preferred seat on the bus, I recommend arriving a bit early, around 7:00 AM, to get settled comfortably.

We headed towards Biei, making a quick stop at the Sunagawa Rest Area. On this particular day, heavy snowfall caused some traffic delays, so we only had time for a quick restroom break.

We admired the famous Patchwork Road from the bus window. Everywhere we looked was covered in a pristine blanket of snow, truly making it feel like we had arrived in winter wonderland Biei.

At the much-anticipated Junpei restaurant, our guide had already secured our table, allowing us to walk right in without any waiting! It was a fantastic start to our culinary experience.

The shrimp tempura was incredibly large and perfectly crispy – satisfying from the very first bite! Paired with a refreshing Sapporo beer, it was absolutely delightful. I highly recommend enjoying a Sapporo beer with your meal!

After lunch, we had a short period of free time. On our way back to Biei Station, we spotted a free sledding area and decided to give it a try. To my surprise, it was quite thrilling... I guess I'm a bit of a scaredy-cat! 🥶

After about a 40-minute drive from Biei Station, we arrived at the iconic Christmas Tree, a spot I'd only seen in pictures before!

While the Christmas Tree often looks serene and solitary in photos, it was bustling with people taking pictures when I visited. Our guide, however, was a master! As soon as we stepped off the bus, he sprinted ahead to secure the best photo spot for us, capturing fantastic shots like these.

This dedication to getting great photos at each major landmark was definitely one of Indigo Travel's standout advantages.

We hadn't brought a tripod, so without our guide, we probably would have ended up with selfies like this one, haha!

Our next stop was Takushinkan. Here too, our guide was ready to snap some great photos for us.

A friendly reminder to everyone: get plenty of rest the night before your tour and try not to overindulge! I was a prime example, having enjoyed too much delicious Sapporo Classic until dawn and waking up a bit puffy for my photos.

Shikisai-no-Oka (Four Seasons Hill) offers different attractions depending on the season. In summer, it's a vibrant flower field, but in winter, it transforms into a thrilling snow sledding paradise!

The sledding was surprisingly fast, and it was quite a challenge to steer, which made it even more exhilarating and fun!

Our guide usually takes photos here too, but since he had already captured so many great shots of us, we happily let him focus on other guests while we continued to have a blast sledding!

Our final stop was Shirahige-no-Taki, the Whitebeard Waterfall.

We walked for about 10 minutes from where the bus dropped us off. There's a restroom along the way, so if nature calls, definitely make a stop before reaching the falls!

Upon arrival, the sight was breathtaking: vibrant blue water cascading amidst the stark white snow. It was truly stunning!

My photo with the waterfall didn't turn out as perfectly as I'd hoped due to the angle, but I highly recommend bringing a tripod if you want to capture those postcard-perfect shots!

My Verdict: Was the Priciest Biei Tour Worth It?

The Biei tour involves a significant amount of travel time and essentially dedicates an entire day, making it quite physically demanding.

However, for me, the extra cost was absolutely worth it. Getting to enjoy a proper meal at the Junpei restaurant and coming away with beautiful, professionally taken photos of my partner and I made the investment feel completely justified!

If a memorable dining experience and high-quality photography are priorities for your trip, I wholeheartedly recommend considering Indigo Travel!

Indigo Travel also offers a lowest price guarantee, meaning if you find the same tour with identical conditions cheaper elsewhere, you can claim the difference in points after a review. It's a nice bonus!

Even if Indigo Travel isn't your final choice, make sure to book a tour that perfectly aligns with your travel needs and preferences. Happy travels! 😉

▼ Check Indigo Travel Prices Here ▼

[Indigo Travel] Junpei Restaurant Reservation Sapporo Biei Furano Bus Tour/DSLR Photography3ha.in

​