Furano (富良野) is one of most popular spot in Hokkaido. Especially July is the busiest season because the bloom of Lavender. You can enjoy Furano in not only summer season but also autumn. You may see the fall color leaves in September. The scenery in autumn is breathtaking too. Furano can be accessed directly from Sapporo (札幌) by Limited Express Furano Lavender Express / Furano Koyo Express from July to mid October. There are three round trips in the peak season. But if you want to have a nice rail excursion and enjoy the scenery from the train, I recommend you to take this train “Furano Biei Norokko train” (富良野・美瑛ノロッコ号). Of course you can take this train by Japan Rail Pass with no extra charge. Let’s see the details about this train.
Route and schedule
There are three round trips between Asahikawa (旭川) or Biei (美瑛) and Furano. One round trip connects Asahikawa with Furano in 1 hour 40 minutes, and another two round trips connect Biei with Furano in 50 minutes. N
Norokko is a combination word of “Noroi” and “Torokko” in Japanese. “Noroi” means very slow. Torokko originally means an open air mine cart. But Torokko means an open air observation car in these days. This is very popular type of fleet for cruising train during summer time. On the other hand, this train does not give you any luxury atmosphere. There are the wood bench seats only. But you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and the fresh air from the nature of Hokkaido.
Furano Biei Norokko train is usually operated from early June to late September. Please check the latest operation date information at Seasonal trains information.
| Stations | |
|---|---|
| Asahikawa (旭川) | X |
| Biei (美瑛) | X |
| Bibaushi (美馬牛) | X |
| Kamifurano (上富良野) | X |
| Lavender Batake (ラベンダー畑) | X |
| Nakafurano (中富良野) | X |
| Furano (富良野) | X |
Lavender Batake station is open for this train only. It is only 7 minutes away from one of the most popular spot in Furano, Tomita Farm Lavender Field. So you can take this train to Lavender Batake from Furano.
Operation dates
These express trains are operated from early June to late September. Please check the most updated information at Seasonal trains information.
View Furano Biei Norokko in a larger map
Accommodation and train formations
This train is operated by open air observation car (=Torokko in Japanese). There are reserved seat and non reserved. But the accommodations are completely same. There are the wood bench seat.
Images
Ordinary seat
Image copyright
Interior by Rsa [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Exterior by 100yen [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Train formation
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
| R | NR | NR |
R=Reserved ordinary seat NR=Non reserved ordinary seat
You can watch the movie at Lavender Batake station.
Hi,
We are planning for day trip from Sapporo to Otoru on June 9, 2018 and Sapporo to Furano Tomita Farm on June 10, 2018.
I saw there are two options traveling to Furano
(1) direct by Crystal Express
(2) Sapporo-Asahikawa + Furano Biei Norokko train.
I can’t find the train schedule for Crystal Express. Can you share the round trip train schedule?
How much is the round trip train from Sapporo for both options? and Where can we purchase the tickets? Do we need to purchase in advance?
We have 15 people on the trip, is there other alternative transport other than train?
Thanks in advance
Djuwita
Hi Djuwita,
Please see the link below. You will find the timetable of Furano Lavender Express which you meant Crystal Express.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/seasonal-trains-schedule/schedule-of-2018-spring-seasonal-trains-of-japan-railways.html
You may use hyperdia to find the fare and timetable too.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
You can purchase a ticket at the reservation window in major JR station, such as Sapporo, New Chitose airport. You can purchase it before you travel if you want.
Please talk to the travel agent. I believe you may charter small bus because your group is quite big. But I don’t know the price and I don’t relate any local transportation company.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com