Going to Furano and Biei by JR 2026 (Train Timetable and Pass) - Hokkaido, Japan

Norokko Train and Lavender Express Train are popular for sightseeing in Furano and Biei especially in summer. Furano Biei Norokko Train which connects between Asahikawa and Furano, will terminate in FY2026 after operated for 26 years.

Furano Lavender Express Train

Limited Express Furano Lavender Express connects Sapporo and Furano.  The train offers WI-FI for all seats and vehicles. The Furano Lavender Express is a limited express train. For boarding, a limited express ticket is required in addition to a basic fare ticket. Please note that IC cards cannot be used for the section between Takikawa and Furano. Only cash can be used for fare adjustment on the train. Please purchase a paper ticket before boarding.

Operating Period: 6-7 June, 13 June - 11 August, 

August: 15-16, 22-23, 29-30

Sep: 5-6, 12-13, 19-23

*Operating dates and cars are subject to change without notice.

Lavender train 261 series 5000

Train Timetable

Sapporo -> Takikawa -> Furano
Sapporo	Iwamizawa	Takikawa	Ashibetsu	Furano
7:41	8:18	8:44	9:10	9:44

Furano -> Takikawa -> Sapporo
Furano	Ashibetsu	Takikawa	Iwamizawa	Sappro
16:53	17:22	17:48	18:14	18:52

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

Ref: JR Hokkaido

Available rail passes:

Sapporo-Furano Area Pass, Hokkaido Rail Pass, Japan Rail Pass

*You can get a ticket at the JR Information Desk, JR Ticket Counter (Midori-no-Madoguchi) or a reserved seat ticket vending machine.

*JR-EAST Train Reservation cannot be used.

Furano Biei Norokko Train

Operating Period: 

June: 6-7, 13-30

July: 1-31

Aug: 1-11, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30

Sep: 5-6, 12-13, 19-23

Train Timetable

	Asahikawa	Biei	Bibaushi	Kamifurano	Lavender Farm	Nakafurano	Furano
No. 1	10:00	10:42	10:53	11:06	11:15	11:22	11:40
No. 3	-	13:08	13:19	13:36	13:45	13:50	13:59
No. 5	-	15:13	15:24	15:37	15:46	15:55	16:04

	Furano	Nakafurano	Lavender Farm	Kamifurano	Bibaushi	Biei	Asahikawa
No.2	11:53	12:11	12:17	12:27	12:40	12:51	-
No. 4	14:07	14:25	14:31	14:39	14:51	15:02	-
No. 6	16:14	16:37	16:44	16:52	17:11	17:20	17:46

*The schedule will be changed when the "Furano-Biei Mankitsu Norokko" train is in operation.

All seats are reserved. In addition to your train ticket, you will need a reserved seat ticket (1,000 yen) for boarding.

Vehicles: 3 cars (all seats reserved)

The locomotive's colar will change during the period. There are freen and lavender locomotives.

Operation: 

6 June - 11 August 2026 (Green)

15 August - 13 Spetember 2026 (Lavender)

19-23 September (Green) 

*Please note that the schedule may be subject to change at short notice due to vehicle operational reasons, etc.

Fare: 

Asahikawa - Furano: 1,380 yen + reserved seat fee 1,000 yen = 2,380 yen

Asahikawa - Biei: 680 yen + reserved seat fee 1,000 yen = 1,680 yen

*Half price for child

You can listen audio guide on application. Go to Kokosil website.

Points of this year

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

① Biei Station-Bibaushi Station (Beautiful hill scenery in Biei Town)

② Bibaushi Station-Kamifurano Station 

③ Lavender Field Station-Nakafurano Station (Lavender Fields)

④ Nakafurano Station-Furano Station (Rural Scenery)'

If you would like to purchase a reserved seat ticket for this train, please purchase it

at the Midori counter or Ekinet

	①	②	③	④
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

Sapporo-Furano Area Pass

Allows the unlimited rides in designated area between New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru, Furano, Biei and Asahikawa

Price

Price	Adult	Child (Age 6-11)
Pre-purchase *1	￥11,000	￥5,500
Purchase at station *2	￥12,000	￥6,000

*1 Purchase an exchange order at major travel agents outside of Japan and JR-EAST Train Reservation

*2 Purchase at the designated JR Hokkaido stations etc.

Validity period: 4 consecutive days from the starting date 

Validity Area

 

Reference: JR Hokkaido Website, 

Translated by: Blue Moon

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