Going to Furano and Biei by JR 2023 (Train Timetable and Pass) - Hokkaido, Japan

Norokko Train and Lavender Express Train are popular for sightseeing in Furano and Biei especially in summer. This year, Furano Biei Free Ticket has discount ticket for children. In addition, The highlight points are added in Limited Express Furano Lavender Express which connects Sapporo and Furano. This year the boarding certificate will be offered as a gift.


Introducing advantageous tickets

1. Furano Biei Free Ticket

Non-reserved seats on limited express local trains area available for roundtrip from Sapporo Station to the free area. Unlimited rides on local trains within free area (Takikawa-Furano-Asahikawa-Takikawa and Furano - Ikutora).

 Release period: 29 March - 6 October 2023

■ Period of use: 29 April - 9 October 2023. 

■ Price: 7,400 yen (3,700 yen for children)

■ Validity period: 4 days


2.2  Lavender Free Pass:

The ticket that allows unlimited rides on ordinary trains and unreserved seats in the free area. Unreserved seats on the Furano Biei Norokko are also available. 

■ Release period: 29 March - 9 October 2023

■ Period of use: 29 April - 9 October 2023

■ Price: 2,800 yen (1,400 yen for children)

■ Validity period: 1 day


Furano Lavender Express Train

Limited Express Furano Lavender Express connects Sapporo and Furano. The train offers WI-FI for all seats and vehicles. 

Operating Period: 10-11 June, 17 June - 13 August (everyday), 19 August - 24 September (Weekends and Holiday)

Lavender train 261 series 5000

Train Timetable

Sapporo -> Takikawa -> Furano

Sapporo

Iwamizawa

Takikawa

Ashibetsu

Furano

7:41

8:18

8:46

9:15

9:45


Furano -> Takikawa -> Sapporo

Furano

Ashibetsu

Takikawa

Iwamizawa

Sappro

16:51

17:19

17:45

18:15

18:50


*Operation time and vehicale used are subject to change without notice.


Boarding Certificate

Everyone who board the train will receive a boarding certificate as a gift. 



Furano Biei Norokko Train

Operating Period: 10-11 June, 17 June - 13 August (everyday), 19 August - 24 September (Weekends and Holiday)


Train Timetable

Car no.

Asahikawa to Furano

Asahikawa

Biei

Lavender Field

Furano

1

10:00

10:30

11:13

11:40

3

-

(13:08)

13:43

13:59

5

-

(15:13)

15:44

16:01


Car no.

Furano to Asahikawa

Furano

Lavender Field

Biei

Asahikawa

2

11:53

12:16

12:51

-

4

14:07

14:29

15:02

-

6

16:11

16:39

17:19

17:46


*Operation time and vehicale used are subject to change without notice.

Vehicles: 3 cars (1 reserved seat, 2 unreserved seats)


Fare (One Way)

Furano - Lavender Farm           300 yen 
Furano - Biei                              750 yen
Furano - Asahikawa                  1,290 yen
Reserved seat fee                     840 yen (half price for children).

Boarding Certificate

Everyone who board the train will receive a boarding certificate as a gift. The design changes in June-July and August - September.



Points of this year

The train runs slowly when pass highlight spots so you can see view from window




① Biei Station-Bibaushi Station (house with a red roof)
② Bibaushi Station-Kamifurano Station (Monument of Furano Pioneer Birthplace) (See Map
Monument of Furano Birthplace.
③ Lavender Field Station-Nakafurano Station (Municipal Lavender Garden)
④ Nakafurano Station-Furano Station 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No.1

O

O

O

O

 

No.3

O

O

O

-

 

No.5

O

O

O

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

O

O

O

O

No.2

 

O

O

O

O

No.4

 

-

O

O

O

No.6


Train Outline: 1 reserved seat, 2 unreserved seats


Guidance by audio guide
The highlights along the Furano line will be guided by audio guide.
Implement Section: Asahikawa Station - Biei Station - Bibaushi Station - Kamifurano Station - Lavender Field Station

Lavender Field Station

This station will be opened only during the operation of Furano - Biei Norokko Train.

Opening Period: 10 June - 24 September 2023.


The DL locomotive which connect Norokko Train in June-July and August-September may be different. SUbject to change without notice. 


Reference: JR Hokkaido Website

Translated by: Blue Moon

(If any of my translation is wrong, please let me know. Thank you.)

Post a Comment

17 Comments

  1. Very Helpful.Thanks for this blog Pear さん。ありがとうございます。

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi, just a question regarding Furano Biei Free Pass. I would like to know if I could use that ticket to go to Minami-Nagayama Station for the Asahikawa Ramen Village. I mean it's only ¥300 if I can't use the pass but wanted to see if it was possible since it's located in Asahikawa.

    Thank you in advance!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! In my opinion, coverage area of Furano Biei Free Pass is Asahikawa Station, not include Minami-Nagayama Station but Hokkaido Rail Pass covers Minami-Nagayama Station.

      Delete
  3. Thank you for the article! For the lavender express schedule, is there a translation mistake? The bottom row says departure from Furano and back to Furano (instead of Sapporo). Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are right! Thank you for letting me know.

      Delete
  4. Hi, thank you for your wonderful blog. I want to ask, can i ride norokko train by JR pass? Or i should buy a ticket at counter? Thank you before

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! Hokkaido Rail Pass and Japan Rail Pass cover the fare of Norokko Train.

      Delete
  5. Hi, thanks for your great info. I'm trying to look for the "Furano Biei Free Ticket" and the "Lavender Free Pass" information from the JR Hokkaido website but without luck, could you please share their official website links please? Also, would you know the difference between "Furano Biei Free Ticket" and the "Sapporo Furano Area Pass"? If I arrive by plane in Ashikawa Airport and want to see Biei/Furano then will leave from New Chitose Airport, which pass would you recommend? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! Please see my reply as below:

      1. Furano Biei Free Ticket and the Lavender Free Pass Website (available in Japanese) Website

      2. Furano Biei Free Ticket VS Sapporo Furano Area Pass

      Furano Biei Free Ticket
      - Non-reserved seats on round-trip limited express trains from Sapporo Station to the free area ( Sapporo -Asahikawa-Furano-Biei)
      - Areas not include New Chitose Airport.
      - 7,400 yen

      Sapporo Furano Area Pass
      - Unlimited rides in the designated area (New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru, Furano, Biei and Asahikawa)
      - 9,000 yen (sales outside Japan), 9,500 yen (sales in Japan)

      3. If comparing the pass among Furano Biei Free Ticket, Lavender Free Pass and Sapporo Furano Area Pass, Sapporo Furano Area Pass should be fit with your itinerary.

      Delete
  6. Hi, do you by any chance know if the train operates at the end of october?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! Norokko Train operates for specific period (June-September). After that, it will be local train.

      Delete
  7. do you have any tips on the local train if i am going to biei using a JR pass during november?! thankyou!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! JR local train (Furano Line) run once per hour. Furano / Biei trip is covered by Japan Rail Pass and Hokkaido Rail Pass. Winter in Hokkaido begins in November, there will be snow.

      Delete
  8. thankyou! to reply the previous comment, i will be going to biei on november, the google map and JR Hokkaido pass recommended routes do not show the train and stations! i will be going from sapporo station, do you have any suggestions for the routes and timetable?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi, I find your guide really helpful! Just want to check whether you have the translated timetable for bus in Biei?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! Thank you for your comment. I translated only Biei View Bus Tour.

      Delete