Asahikawa, Furano, and Biei" is a great way to enjoy Asahikawa and Furano, the most popular spots in Hokkaido, at a reasonable price! We will introduce a 3-day/2-night model route departing from and arriving at Asahikawa, which allows you to enjoy the zoo, spectacular scenery, and gourmet food by using public transportation wisely. Please take a look at it for your reference.

Start your trip from Asahikawa. First, download the "Kamikuru Pass" application. If you purchase the pass from the app, you can ride as many local buses as you like in the Kamikawa area. This time, we will purchase a "Kamikuru Pass 3-Day Pass" for a 3-day/2-night itinerary.

If you purchase the pass by December 31, 2022, the "Gurutto Hokkaido" campaign discount will be applied, and the regular price of 5,000 yen including tax will become 3,500 yen including tax! Please note that passes purchased during the campaign are valid until January 31, 2023.

Asahiyama Zoo is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Asahikawa! Let's go see the adorable animals. From the Asahikawa Station stop, board an Asahikawa Electric Railway bus. Here you can use your Kamikuru Pass right away. You can get on and off the bus with just one mobile phone, so it's cashless and very convenient!

Take the Asahikawa Electric Railway bus from the Asahikawa Station stop to the Asahiyama Zoo stop (about 39 minutes).

Asahiyama Zoo was one of the first zoos in Japan to introduce behavioral exhibits, and has been the focus of much attention throughout the country.

The animals' natural abilities are vividly demonstrated in the behavioral exhibits, which are full of surprises! Time flies by in no time at all. So, let's have lunch in the zoo.

The Zoo Club's main entrance store at the Asahiyama Zoo Club serves a bowl of Ezo Deer Jingisukan, which is made with Ezo Deer meat, just as it is in Hokkaido!

After parting with the animals, take the Asahikawa Electric Railway bus again to JR Asahikawa Station. Don't forget to show your Kamikuru Pass.

Asahiyama Zoo

Location: Kuranuma, Higashi-Asahikawa-cho, Asahikawa-shi, Asahikawa
Hours: April 29 (Fri., national holiday) - October 15 (Sat.) 9:30 - 17:15, October 16 (Sun.) - November 3 (Thu., national holiday) 9:30 - 16:30, November 11 (Fri.) - April 9, 2023 (Sun.) 10:30 - 15:30
Last admission 30 minutes before closing (last admission at 16:00 until October 15)
Admission: Adults (high school students and older): 1,000 yen, Children (junior high school students and younger): free
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From Asahikawa Electric Railway "Asahiyama Zoo Stop", take a bus for about 40 minutes to "Asahikawa Station Stop".

A stroll through Asahikawa Heiwa Dori Shopping Park, which stretches from JR Asahikawa Station to 8jo Dori. This street, called "shopping park" by Asahikawa citizens, is the first permanent pedestrian paradise in Japan. This year, 2022, marks the 50th anniversary.

After enjoying shopping and strolling, take the Dohoku Bus from JR Asahikawa Station to Biei-cho. Of course, you can use the Kamikuru Pass on the Dohoku Bus as well.

Asahikawa Heiwa Dori Shopping Park

Location: Miyashita-dori, Asahikawa-shi, Asahikawa
Business hours:*Opening hours vary depending on the store.
View more information about Asahikawa Heiwadori Shopping Park on Domingo

From Asahikawa Ekimae bus stop, take the Dohoku Bus to Shirogane Onsen bus stop (about 1 hr. 17 min.).

Get off the Dohoku Bus at the Shirogane Onsen Stop and walk for about 3 minutes. You will arrive at Shirohige Falls. The waterfall, which cascades down through the rocks in several lines, is called "Senryubaku," which is very rare in Japan. Together with the cobalt blue Biei River into which the waterfall flows, it creates a truly fantastic scenery.

Shirahige Falls

Location：Shirogane, Biei-cho
View details about "Shirohige Falls" on Domingo

After receiving plenty of negative ion power at Shirohige Falls, stay overnight at the nearby Shirogane Hot Springs Village today! End the first day of your trip in luxury with delicious food and hot springs at the inn.

Shirogane Hot Springs

Location: Shirogane, Biei-cho
*Opening hours and bathing fees vary depending on the hot spring facility.
View details about "Shirogane Onsen" on Domingo

Use the Kamikuru Pass on the second day of your trip and enjoy plenty of sightseeing! We will take the Dohoku Bus from the Shirogane Onsen stop to see that famous pond in Biei.

Take the Dohoku Bus from Shirogane Onsen Bus Stop to Shirogane Aoi Ike Iriguchi Bus Stop (about 2 minutes by bus).

You already know the name. It is the Shirogane Blue Pond, also known as "Blue Pond. Several dead larch trees stand out from the beautiful blue water, creating a mysterious and mystical scene. The blue color seems to change slightly depending on the season and weather, and I would like to take many pictures of what color it was when I visited.

Blue Pond

Location：Shirogane, Biei-cho
View details of Aoi Ike on Domingo

When your eyes are delighted by the beautiful nature in the morning, you will walk to the roadside station, Biei "Shirogane Birke". The Birke forest along the way is also beautiful and will delight you with its seasonal scenery.

Arrive at Roadside Station Biei "Shirogane Birke" (about 30 minutes on foot from Aoi Ike).

The triangular roof with the forest in the background makes you feel as if you are lost in a picture book.

Recommended here is the Biei Cider. This bright blue color was created with the image of a true blue pond. You can enjoy it on the spot or buy it as a souvenir. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the town of Biei to help preserve the scenery.

The soft-serve ice cream may stimulate your appetite even more. Let's leave Shirogane Birke for lunch. From the Shirogane Birke Roadside Station stop, take the Dohoku Bus. Your Kamikuru Pass will come in handy here as well!

Roadside Station Viei "Shirogane B irke

Location：Shirogane, Biei-cho
Business hours: June-August: 9:00-18:00, September-May: 9:00-17:00
View details about "Roadside Station Biei Shirogane Birke" on Domingo

Approximately 27 minutes by bus from "Michi no Eki Shirogane Birke" stop on the Dohoku Bus, arriving at "Biei Eki" stop.

Did you know that "Biei Curry Udon" is a B-class gourmet dish from Biei? It is a beloved local dish made with Biei wheat, pork and vegetables, and deserves to be called "Class A". This time we will visit "Restaurant KOERU with a view of the station.

It is located behind the JR Biei Station and is only a 5-minute walk from the station. The lunch menu includes such oddities as Biei Curry Udon (baked noodles) and the original Curry Udon Pizza, but we recommend the Biei Curry Udon (dipping noodles).

They thoroughly stick to local ingredients and all of their extensive menu is handmade. The Tsukemen type Biei Curry Udon also contains plenty of vegetables and comes with a salad and Biei milk, making it a very healthy dish! At 920 yen including tax, this is a lunch that is both pleasing to the eye and the wallet.

Restaurant KOERU with a view of the station

Location: 1-1-7 Omachi, Biei-cho
Business hours: Lunch 11:00-14:30 last order, Dinner 17:30-19:30 last order
Closed: Tuesdays, Year-end and New Year holidays, irregular holidays
View more details about "KOERU Restaurant with a view of the train station" on Domingo

From "Biei Station" bus stop, take the "Rapid Lavender" bus (approx. 12 min.) to "Fukayama Pass" bus stop.

With our stomachs full, we will head to our next destination. The bus from the Biei Station stop is the Furano Bus "Kaisoku Lavender-go" (Rapid Lavender Bus).

We will go to the Trick Art Museum, which is located right next to the Fukayama Pass stop. The Trick Art Museum is located in the Fukayama Pass Art Park. The white Ferris wheel is the landmark!

Incidentally, the Fukayama Pass Art Park is currently holding the "Ikoiko Campaign 2022" for October only, where anyone can enjoy the museum, Ferris wheel, and cheese tart as a set for only 1,000 yen including tax. The normal combined price for these three activities is 1,750 yen for adults, 1,450 yen for junior and senior high school students, and 1,150 yen for children (all tax included), which is quite reasonable!

First of all, take lots of funny pictures at the Trick Art Museum, where you will feel like you are a part of the art. Trick art can be touched, so whether you are interested in art or not, everyone can enjoy it freely and equally!

After the museum, board the "Tokachidake Art View," a Ferris wheel that offers a panoramic view of Kamifurano from 50 meters above the ground. The magnificent view of the Tokachidake mountain range spread out below is truly a work of art. The graceful beauty of nature will intoxicate you.

And, as you wait, you will enjoy a cheese tart as a snack. It is hard to believe that such a fun, exciting, and delicious experience costs only 1,000 yen.

Trick Art Museum

Location：Kamifurano Town, Nishi 8 Line North 33
Hours of operation: April-November 10:00-17:00
Closed: April-November (irregular holidays), December-March (closed during winter)
Admission: Adults: 1,300 yen; junior and senior high school students: 1,000 yen; 5th and 6th graders: 700 yen; 4th graders and younger: free
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Take the Rapid Lavender Bus from Fukayamatoge Stop on the Furano Bus to Shin Furano Prince Hotel Stop (approx. 52 min.)

Take the Furano Bus "Kaisoku Lavender-go" from the Fukayama-Toge stop to the accommodation for the second day. Show your Kamikuru Pass and get off at the Shin-Furano Prince Hotel stop.

After checking in at the New Furano Prince Hotel and taking a break, head out to "Ningle Terrace" located in the forest on the hotel grounds.

Ningle Terrace is a romantic shopping area with 15 log houses in a row. Each exhibits and sells unique craft works.

Taking a stroll through each house, you will feel like you are visiting an artist's studio. We hope you will find your favorite.

Furano Discount Plus offers discounts and coupons when you stay in Furano. The stay is eligible until November 30, 2022, and the coupon can be used until December 1, 2022. Discounts vary by hotel, but at the New Furano Prince Hotel, guests will receive a discount of 2,000 yen per night per person, plus a coupon worth 2,000 yen per person per night that can be used for dining, cabs, and experiences in Furano. Use the coupon on the next and final day.

Ningle Terrace

Location：Nakagoryo, Furano-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture New Furano Prince Hotel
Hours: 12:00 - 20:45
10:00 - 20:45 from July 1 to August 31
View details about "Ningle Terrace" on Domingo

Finally, the last day of the trip. After enjoying the hotel's buffet breakfast, check out. Take a cab to Furano Cheese Factory.

Arrive at Furano Cheese Factory, about 8 minutes by cab from New Furano Prince Hotel.

Furano Cheese Factory has several buildings scattered throughout its spacious grounds. One of them is a handmade workshop where you can try your hand at making butter (900 yen including tax) and cheese (1,000 yen including tax). The number of visitors is limited, so it would be better to make a reservation in advance.

The coupon you receive from Furanowari Plus can be used in increments of 1,000 yen and does not give change, so it may be wise to use it to pay for the cheese-making experience! Of course, you can also use it for cab fare to get here, but please note that it is only available for Furano Taxi or Chuo Hire.

After completing the two experiences, the time is just right for lunch. Let's move on to the Pizza Factory and have lunch here as well.

You can taste authentic Neapolitan pizza made by artisans trained in Naples, Italy. The cheese is, of course, the Cheese Factory's original mozzarella cheese! The other ingredients are also locally produced in Furano, so how could they not be delicious? If you use your leftover Furano Discount Plus coupon worth 1,000 yen here, you will feel even more economical.

Now, you will need to take a cab again, but since this is not a place where cabs can be picked up, call one, or set a time in advance to have one come pick you up when you arrive.

Furano Cheese Factory

Location: Naka-goku, Furano-shi
Opening hours: April-October 9:00-17:00, November-March 9:00-16:00
View more info about Furano Cheese Factory on Domingo

11 minutes by cab from Furano Cheese Factory to Furano Wine Factory

After cheese, we will visit Furano Wine Factory. We will visit Furano Wine Factory. Furano wine is carefully nurtured by the people of Furano and its blessed climate. Here you can take a tour of the winery and see how the wine is aged in barrels and tanks, as well as the bottling process. Of course, wine tasting is also available.

Choose your favorite wine at the store and leave the wine factory. Cabs are not available here either, so call one or specify a time in advance for a cab to pick you up.

Furano Wine Factory

Location: Shimizuyama, Furano-shi
Business hours: 9:00-17:00
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7 minutes by cab from Furano Wine Factory to Furano Marche.

The last stop is Furano Marche. Frano Marche is packed with the tastes of Furano, and is full of delicious foods that are sure to please your taste buds! Many of the items make great souvenirs, so be sure to enjoy your shopping!

When you get tired of shopping, you may find yourself craving something sweet. Head to the "Basusutopu" soft-serve ice cream store at the Frano Marche for a treat that will blow away your fatigue.

We recommend the "Mixed Ice Cream! This is a unique ice cream made with Furano milk soft-serve ice cream mixed with jam and fruits made from local ingredients. Well, our trip is about to end. Somehow I feel a bittersweet feeling while eating the sweets.

Frano Marche

Location: 13-1 Saiwaicho, Furano-shi
Business hours: 10:00-18:00
Closed: Monday, November 14 - Friday, November 18, Saturday, December 31, and Sunday, January 1, 2023 See more details about "Furano Marche" on Domingo

3 minutes on foot from Frano Marche, arriving at the Hondori 5-chome stop.

Once you have checked to see if there is anything you forgot to buy, leave the Frano Marche. A 3-minute walk will take you to the Hondori 5-chome stop, where you will board the Furano Bus Rapid Lavender.

From the Hondori 5-chome stop on the Furano Bus, take the Rapid Lavender bus for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to the Asahikawa Ekimae stop.

When you get off the bus at the Asahikawa Ekimae stop, it is the last time you will use your Kamikuru Pass, which has been a great help on this trip. The more you ride the bus, the more you save with the Kamikuru Pass, and it has served me well. Now, let's head home from JR Asahikawa Station.

How was your "Round Trip to Asahikawa, Furano and Biei," one of the most popular sightseeing areas in Hokkaido? We recommend this model route as it is full of photo-worthy spots and gourmet food!