Furano 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 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”. 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
Hotels in Sapporo
Hotels in Furano
Hotels in Asahikawa
There are three round trips between Asahikawa or Biei and Furano. One round trip connects Asahikawa and Furano in 1 hour 40 minutes, and another two round trips connect Biei and Furano in 50 minutes.
Norokko is a combination word of “Noroi” and “Torokko” in Japanese. “Noroi” means very slow. Torokko means an open air observation car in these days. This is very popular type of the 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
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 will be renting a car and driving to Furano.
However, I read about the Norokko train which we can see beautiful scenery by train.
What is your recommendation if we want to park the car somewhere and then take the Norokko train for sight seeing then go back to the car.
Where should we park and where should we board and alight the train, in order to see nice scenery on the Norokko train?
Thank you!
Hi Hazel,
You can take this train between Furano and Biei. You can start from either side.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you for your reply Takeshi-san.
The train tickets, do we need to buy online in advance or we can buy at the station on the day itself?
I don’t think we will be buying any train pass because we will be driving most of the time.
Hi Takeshi-san,
I forgot to ask roughly how long is the duration of the journey from Furano to Biei (or Biei to Furano)? Thank you.
Hi Hazel san,
Please see the link below to find the train schedule:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/seasonal-trains-schedule/summary-of-2019-summer-seasonal-trains-of-jr-trains.html
I recommend you to book a ticket in advance because this train is very popular in summer time. But you cannot book a ticket online. You have to book and purchase a ticket at any major JR stations.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
May i know ill Furano Biei Norokko Train operate in 18 june 2019 please? when is the earlier date it start operating please?
thanks for your time,
cheers
Mag
Hi Mag,
Please see the link below to find the operation dates:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/seasonal-trains-schedule/summary-of-2019-spring-seasonal-trains-of-jr-trains-2.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello!
I planned to take Furano Lavender Express from Sapporo Station to Furano, and then change to a train to drop off at Lavender-Farm Station in Mid July. However, I am unsure of what train I should be taking from Furano. Google map told me to alight at Naka-Furano Station and walk over. What would you recommend?
Cheers!
Hi Jon,
Lavender Farm station is not open for all trains. Only Furano Biei Norokko train stops at Lavender Farm station. The summer timetable of Norokko train has not been released yet. It will come out sometimes in late May. But you can find the spring schedule in the link below. I believe it will not be much different.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/seasonal-trains-schedule/summary-of-2019-spring-seasonal-trains-of-jr-trains-2.html
If you take an ordinary local train, you have to walk from Naka-Furano station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
From Sapporo, I plan to buy the Furano-Biei-Rail tickets for 4 consecutive days. Leaving Sapporo on June 9, back to Sapporo on June 12. For the 3 nights, Should I stay all 3 nights at one location either Asahikawa or Furano? Which location is better for sightseeing in this region to cover Furano and Biei.
Does it made sense if split Asahikawa for first 2 nights and the last night in Furano?
Does the round trip rail ticket valid for Sapporo to Asahikawa on the first day, then Furano to Sapporo on the last day?
Thanks for your help.
Anh Dang
Hi Anh,
It takes about 75 minutes by the local train between Asahikawa and Furano. Biei is located in the middle of Furano and Asahikawa. So you can stay either place of Furano or Asahikawa. Asahikawa is much bigger city than Furano and there are many more hotels at more affordable rate. It is totally up to you which place you will stay.
If you use Furano Biei rail Ticket, you can take either way of Asahikawa-Sapporo or Furano-Sapporo. It doesn’t matter which city you can arrive/depart.
By the way, this ticket has not been sold in this season yet. I believe it will come up soon but I cannot confirm it now.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi!
I will be travelling in Hokkaido this summer in late August and I’m wondering about whether the passes I hold will be eligible for this train.
I have both the Vanilla air higashi Hokkaido pass and the Seishun 18 kippu. I assume they can both be used on Norroko for unreserved seats. However, I am wondering if seats can be reserved using either of these passes? If it is possible, how much would the extra fee be?
Much thanks!
Hi Len,
You may add just 520 yen for reserved seat on either pass/ticket.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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