We Almost Skipped Furano… And It Became Our Favourite Part of Hokkaido
When we first started planning our 14-day Hokkaido road trip, Furano was never meant to be a major stop.
Like many first-time visitors, we initially thought a quick day trip from Sapporo would be enough. See the lavender fields, snap a few photos, eat some melon, and move on.
I’m so glad we changed our minds.
Spending three days in Furano and Biei completely transformed our Hokkaido experience.
Instead of rushing from one attraction to another, we had time to wander through colourful flower fields, savour sweet Hokkaido melons, explore magical forest villages, stumble upon one of Japan’s quirkiest summer festivals, and simply enjoy travelling at our boys’ pace.
Looking back, slowing down made all the difference.
If you’re travelling with young children—or even grandparents—I’d highly recommend staying a few nights instead of treating Furano as just another stop on your itinerary.
This guide shares exactly how we spent 3 days in Furano & Biei, along with practical driving tips, hotel recommendations, family-friendly dining spots, and everything we wish we’d known before visiting.
Whether you’re planning your first Hokkaido road trip or deciding if Furano deserves more than a day, I hope this itinerary helps you create your own unforgettable family memories.
Quick Trip Summary
| 📍 Destination | Furano & Biei, Hokkaido |
| 🚗 Duration | 3 Days / 2 Nights (we stayed 3 nights at Hotel Naturwald Furano as our base) |
| 👨👩👦 Best For | Families with young children, grandparents, first-time Hokkaido visitors |
| 🌸 Best Time | Late July to early August for lavender, flowers and summer festivals |
| 🚙 Recommended Transport | Self-drive (highly recommended) |
| 🚶 Walking Level | Easy to Moderate |
| 👶 Stroller Friendly | Mostly yes |
| ♿ Elderly Friendly | Yes, with short walking breaks |
| ⭐ Heng Trails Rating | ★★★★★ Family Favourite |
Why We Chose to Stay in Furano Instead of Day-Tripping from Sapporo
This is probably the question I get asked most.
“Can I visit Furano as a day trip?”
Technically, yes.
Should you?
For families, probably not.
The drive from Sapporo takes around 2 hours, and once you factor in flower farms, meal stops, playground breaks, naps and scenic detours, a day trip starts to feel surprisingly rushed.
By staying in Furano, we could:
✔ Explore attractions before the crowds arrived.
✔ Return to the hotel for afternoon rest if needed.
✔ Enjoy the Hokkai Heso Matsuri (Belly Button Festival) in the evening without worrying about driving back.
✔ Let the boys enjoy Hotel Naturwald’s family-friendly activities.
✔ Take our time instead of constantly watching the clock.
Travelling with kids has taught us that sometimes seeing fewer places—but enjoying them more—is the better holiday.
Is Furano Worth Visiting in Summer?
Absolutely.
Most people associate Furano with lavender, but we discovered there’s so much more.
During our visit, we experienced:
💜 Endless lavender fields at Farm Tomita
🍈 Some of the sweetest melons we’ve ever tasted
🌈 Rolling flower fields stretching into the distance
🌲 A fairytale-like forest at Ningle Terrace
🎉 The lively Hokkai Heso Matsuri, where dancers paint colourful faces on their stomachs for the famous Belly Button Dance
💙 The surreal turquoise waters of Biei Blue Pond
🌊 Shirahige Waterfall, where vivid blue water tumbles beneath a picturesque bridge
And perhaps our favourite part of all—the slower pace that let us truly enjoy each stop as a family.
Our Route at a Glance
Day 1
- Drive from Sapporo
- Iwamizawa Rest Stop
- Ningle Terrace
- Hotel Naturwald Furano
- Hokkai Heso Matsuri
Day 2
- Furano Cheese Factory
- Tomita Melon House
- Farm Tomita
- Shikisai no Oka
Day 3
- Asahiyama Zoo
- Seven Stars Tree
- Biei Blue Pond
- Shirahige Waterfall
Before You Go: 5 Tips We Wish We Knew
1. Drive via Bibai IC
Instead of following the route many navigation apps suggest via Mikasa IC, consider exiting at Bibai IC. The newer road is easier to drive and takes about the same amount of time.
2. Stay at Least 3 Days
Furano and Biei deserve more than a rushed day trip—especially with children.
3. Visit Flower Farms Early
Farm Tomita becomes much busier by late morning. Arriving earlier means cooler weather and better photos.
4. Don’t Miss the Summer Festivals
If you’re visiting on 28 or 29 July, try to catch the Hokkai Heso Matsuri. It added a completely different dimension to our Furano experience.
5. Save Room for Melon
Trust me—you’ll want more than one serving
Why We Chose to Drive
One of the biggest decisions when planning our Hokkaido trip was whether to drive or rely on public transport.
After comparing both options, driving was an easy choice.
With two boys, luggage for two weeks, snacks, jackets and the occasional “I need the toilet now!”, having our own car gave us the flexibility we needed.
The roads in Hokkaido are wide, easy to navigate and surprisingly relaxing to drive compared to many other destinations.
If you’re travelling as a family, I’d highly recommend renting a car.
First Stop: Iwamizawa Rest Area
About 45 minutes after leaving Sapporo, we made our first stop at Iwamizawa Rest Area.
Was it necessary?
Probably not.
Was it worth it?
Absolutely.
Road trips with children aren’t just about reaching the destination—they’re about breaking the journey into manageable stretches.
While the adults grabbed coffee and stretched our legs, the boys had a chance to move around after sitting in the car.
A quick 20-minute stop made the remaining drive much more enjoyable.
Road Trip Tip: Skip Mikasa IC
Here’s one tip I wish more travel guides mentioned.
Many navigation apps still recommend exiting via Mikasa IC.
Instead, we took the Bibai IC route using the newer road that opened in August 2024.
The driving time was almost identical, but the roads felt more comfortable and straightforward.
If you’re driving to Furano for the first time, it’s a route I’d happily recommend.
Stop 2: Ningle Terrace
📍Time spent: Around 1 to 1.5 hours
By the time we arrived in Furano, our excitement had really kicked in.
Our first attraction was Ningle Terrace, and it honestly felt like stepping into a storybook.
Hidden among the trees, this charming collection of wooden cottages is inspired by the tiny “Ningle” forest spirits from the works of Japanese author Soji Shimada. Each cottage is home to local artisans selling handcrafted souvenirs, candles, wooden crafts and glasswork.
Even if you’re not planning to shop, it’s worth visiting just for the atmosphere.
Our boys loved peeking into each little cabin to see what was inside. Every corner felt like a new discovery.
If you’re visiting in the evening, the soft lights make the entire place feel even more magical.
Check-in: Hotel Naturwald Furano
After exploring Ningle Terrace, we headed to our home for the next three nights—Hotel Naturwald Furano.
If you’re travelling with children, this hotel deserves its own review (which I’ll be sharing separately!).
From the moment we checked in, it was obvious the hotel was designed with families in mind.
The kids were thrilled to receive Wald Money, the hotel’s special play currency that could be used for games and activities. It was such a simple idea, but it made them feel involved and excited right from the start.
There were also plenty of thoughtful touches that made travelling with children easier—from family-friendly facilities to little surprises that kept the boys entertained.
Instead of spending the evening trying to find activities, the hotel itself became part of the experience.
👉 Read my full review of Hotel Naturwald Furano here.
An Unexpected Highlight: Hokkai Heso Matsuri
We hadn’t originally planned our trip around a festival.
As it turned out, our first evening in Furano coincided with the Hokkai Heso Matsuri (North Sea Belly Button Festival), held every year on 28 and 29 July.
It ended up being one of the most memorable nights of our trip.
The streets were filled with food stalls, music and families enjoying the summer evening. Then came the main event—the famous Heso Odori (Belly Button Dance).
Participants paint colourful faces on their stomachs and dance through the streets in one of Japan’s quirkiest and most entertaining festivals.
The boys couldn’t stop laughing, and honestly, neither could we.
It’s exactly the kind of unexpected travel moment that no itinerary can fully capture.
If your Hokkaido trip falls on these dates, I highly recommend making time for it.
HengMom Tip
🎉 Festival Dates: 28–29 July
🕕 Arrive early if you’re driving, as roads around the town centre become busier before the performances begin.
Family Dinner
Dinner: Yakiniku Shinobi (焼肉 忍火)
📍 Yakiniku Shinobi — 焼肉 忍火
Address: 4-22 Asahi-cho, Furano, Hokkaido 076-0026
End the night with yakiniku after the Furano Belly Button Festival. Just a few minutes’ walk from Furano Station, Shinobi specialises in Furano Wagyu and Hokkaido meats grilled over smokeless charcoal. The ninja-themed restaurant is housed in a historic stone building originally built as a sake brewery warehouse in 1911 — a fun dinner spot with kids too.
Day 2: Cheese, Melons & Endless Flower Fields – The Perfect Summer Day in Furano
Today’s Route: Hotel Naturwald Furano → Furano Cheese Factory → Tomita Melon House → Farm Tomita → Shikisai no Oka
👨👩👦 HengMom Tip: Start early! Most attractions are outdoors, and the cooler morning weather makes exploring much more comfortable, especially with young children
Stop 1: Furano Cheese Factory 🧀
📍Time Needed: 2–3 hours (including lunch)
When we first added Furano Cheese Factory to our itinerary, we thought it would be a quick stop to sample some local cheese before heading to Farm Tomita.
We ended up staying much longer than expected.
This isn’t just a cheese shop—it’s a family-friendly attraction where you can watch cheese being produced through viewing windows, sample Hokkaido dairy products, browse locally made souvenirs, enjoy freshly baked wood-fired pizza, and even join hands-on workshops.
One of the biggest surprises of the day was lunch at the Pizza Factory, located within the Cheese Factory grounds. Many visitors come for the cheese, but locals and repeat visitors often recommend staying for the pizza—and now we understand why.
If you’re travelling with kids, I’d recommend planning at least half a day here, especially if you’re joining one of the workshops.
👉 Read my full review of Furano Cheese Factory here.
👉 Official reservations & latest workshop schedule: Furano Cheese Factory Official Website
Stop 2: Tomita Melon House 🍈
📍Time Needed: 30–45 minutes
Next stop: every family’s favourite.
If there’s one thing Hokkaido is famous for besides lavender, it’s melon.
The moment we arrived at Tomita Melon House, we could smell the sweet aroma of freshly cut melons.
We couldn’t resist ordering thick slices of chilled melon and, of course, the famous melon soft serve.
Was it touristy?
Yes.
Was it worth it?
Also yes.
The melons were unbelievably sweet and juicy, and on a warm summer day, they were the perfect refreshment before continuing our adventure.
📷 Best Photo Spot: Outside with the giant melon displays.
🍈 Must Try: Fresh Yubari melon and melon soft serve.
Stop 3: Farm Tomita 💜
📍Time Needed: 2 hours
This was the moment we had been waiting for.
No matter how many photos you’ve seen online, nothing quite prepares you for seeing Farm Tomita in person.
Rows upon rows of colourful flowers stretched across the rolling hills, creating one of the most iconic summer landscapes in Japan.
Lavender may be the star of the show, but you’ll also find vibrant fields of poppies, salvias and other seasonal blooms adding splashes of colour throughout the farm.
We spent our time wandering the different gardens, enjoying lavender-flavoured treats and taking far too many photos.
The boys, meanwhile, were more interested in running along the pathways than posing for pictures—and honestly, those candid moments became some of our favourite photos from the trip.
📸 Photo Tip: Visit in the morning if possible for softer light and fewer crowds.
🧡 HengMom Tip: Even in summer, bring hats, water and sunscreen. There’s limited shade around the flower fields.
Stop 4: Shikisai no Oka 🌈
📍Time Needed: 1 hour
This was on our list but due to the extended duration spent at the earlier attraction, we didn’t manage to make it to this,
Unlike Farm Tomita, which is famous for its lavender, Shikisai no Oka offers sweeping rainbow-like flower fields that seem to stretch endlessly across the hills.
Every turn revealed another picture-perfect view.
If you’re travelling with children, there’s more here than just flowers.
Depending on the season, you can also enjoy:
🚜 Tractor rides through the flower fields
🦙 Alpaca Farm (small admission fee)
🍦 Local snacks and soft serve
Dinner & A Relaxing Evening
After a full day exploring Furano, we headed back to Hotel Naturwald for a slower evening.
One of the things we loved most about staying multiple nights was that there was no pressure to rush.
The boys spent time enjoying the hotel’s family-friendly activities while we soaked in the relaxed atmosphere.
Travelling with kids isn’t always about squeezing in more attractions—sometimes it’s about giving everyone time to unwind before another exciting day.
Day 3: Asahiyama Zoo + Biei Scenic Drive
If you’re travelling to Furano with kids, I would seriously consider setting aside a full day for Asahiyama Zoo and Biei.
This was one of those days where we managed to combine something the kids genuinely enjoyed with some of Hokkaido’s most beautiful scenery.
🐧 First Stop: Asahiyama Zoo
We started our day at Asahiyama Zoo, one of Hokkaido’s best-known family attractions.
What makes the zoo different is its behavioural exhibits, which are designed to let visitors observe animals in environments that encourage their natural movements and behaviours. The zoo is particularly well known for its penguins, polar bears and other cold-climate animals.
For our family, it was a great change of pace from the flower fields and scenic drives we’d been doing around Furano and Biei.
👨👩👦 Why I Recommend It With Kids
The zoo is fairly large, so don’t underestimate the time needed here.
I’d allow around 3–4 hours if you want to explore comfortably rather than rushing from exhibit to exhibit.
Family tip: Check the animal feeding schedules and daily programme before you arrive. Some of the most interesting experiences are tied to specific timings.
🎟️ Booking Asahiyama Zoo
If you’re looking for an easier option, Klook has several Asahiyama Zoo tours and ticket options, including day tours combining the zoo with Biei attractions.
👉 Check Asahiyama Zoo tickets & tours on Klook
Klook also has options departing from Sapporo that combine Asahiyama Zoo + Biei’s Blue Pond, Shirahige Falls and scenic spots, which can be useful if you aren’t driving.
Important: Tour itineraries, prices, inclusions and operating dates can change, so check the listing for your travel date before booking.
🌳 Seven Stars Tree
After the zoo, we continued towards Biei and stopped at the Seven Stars Tree, one of Biei’s iconic roadside landmarks.
It’s essentially a lone oak tree standing against Biei’s rolling patchwork farmland. The surrounding landscape is beautiful in summer, and because the stop is quick and free, it’s easy to add to a driving itinerary.
📍 Tip: Don’t expect a major attraction here—it’s more of a scenic photo stop. We kept this visit short and enjoyed the surrounding views.
💙 Shirogane Blue Pond
Next up was Shirogane Blue Pond, probably one of the most recognisable sights in Biei.
The striking blue colour comes from mineral-rich groundwater mixing with the Biei River, with the way the water reflects light creating its distinctive blue appearance. The colour can look different depending on the weather, season and light.
It doesn’t require a long hike, which makes it a relatively easy stop when travelling with children or elderly family members.
Family tip: The pond is open year-round, but weather can affect the experience, so don’t be disappointed if the colour looks different from the photos you’ve seen online.
💦 Shirahige Waterfall
Just a short drive from the Blue Pond is Shirahige Waterfall, so it makes sense to combine the two.
The waterfall drops around 30 metres through the rocks into the vivid blue Biei River below. The white water against the blue river makes this a particularly photogenic stop.
There’s an observation deck, so you don’t need to undertake a long hike to see it.
For families, I like that Blue Pond + Shirahige Falls can be done together without taking up an entire day.
🌙 After Biei: Late-Night Ramen + Supermarket Run
🍜 Yamaokaya Ramen Furano (ラーメン山岡家 富良野店)
📍 13-5 Wakamatsucho, Furano, Hokkaido
After a full day exploring Biei, we headed back to Furano for a late dinner. Yamaokaya is a handy one to save because it stays open until 1am, when many other Furano restaurants have already closed. Expect hearty, rich Japanese ramen with plenty of choices — great when you just want something warm and filling after a long day out.
🛒 Hokuren Shop Forest
📍 2-5 Shintomicho, Furano, Hokkaido
After ramen, we stopped by Hokuren Shop Forest, a local supermarket, to stock up on drinks, snacks, breakfast and supplies for the next day. It’s a good place to browse local Hokkaido produce and supermarket finds too.
💡 Hengtrails Tip: Save these two places together on your map. They’re both useful evening stops when returning to Furano after a Biei day trip — late-night ramen + grocery restock in one go!
🚗 Our Route for the Day
If you’re driving from Furano, a practical route is:
Furano → Asahiyama Zoo → Seven Stars Tree → Shirogane Blue Pond → Shirahige Waterfall → Furano
We chose to do the zoo first, then work our way through the Biei attractions.
This worked well because we could spend more time at the zoo when the kids had the most energy, then move on to shorter scenic stops afterwards.
💡 Would I Do This Day Again?
Yes—but start early.
Asahiyama Zoo deserves several hours, while the Biei stops are much easier to fit around it.
And if you’re travelling with younger children or grandparents, don’t feel that you have to spend a long time at every photo stop. The beauty of this route is that you can pick the places that interest your family and keep moving.
For us, it was the perfect mix of animals, scenery and a little bit of road-trip adventure.
