Q Can I get information, maps and guides in Furano?
Your lodging or hotel should have maps and guide books on the area for you when you arrive at your hotel. There is an information centre in Furano all year located across from Furano JR Station. During the summer months a large Information Centre operates next to the station providing guests with all their information needs. You can use free internet provided here and also get assistance booking accommodation and transport.
During the winter months the ski area has two Information Centres at the base of both sides of the ski area located next to the Kitanomine Gondola terminal and in the Furano Ropeway (Cable Car) Station.

Q Can I contact anyone for information before I get to Furano?
Yes. Chances are the information is on this site somewhere. If you can not find the information on this or any other site, please email us.

Q When is the best time to visit Furano?
Every season provides a completely different experience. The 4 distinct seasons in Furano change the scenery and the feel of the town constantly. Why not try timing your holiday around one of the festivals, the predicted blooming of your favourite flower or at a time when you can partake in one of the many exciting activities on offer in Furano.
If you are coming to ski, the snow quality is good from very early December until the end of March. April provides excellent spring skiing conditions.

Q Can I get everything in Furano?
You can get almost anything you like in Furano. Being a small town, Furano is self sufficient with almost all services and shops.   

Q How long should I spend in Furano?
Despite being a small town there is a lot to do in Furano and the surrounding areas. At anytime of the year you should spend at very least a few days in Furano to experience, see and do just a small part of what there is on offer here. You can also do a number of day trips from Furano whilst using Furano as a comfortable base for your journeys. Many guests stay for weeks during the winter, skiing during the day and enjoying the local culture during the afternoons and evenings.
Summer guests often stay in the area, exploring by bike or hiking around the local mountains between viewing the flower farms and experiencing Furano hospitality for extended holidays.

Q How much does a meal at a restaurant cost?
It is not expensive to eat out in Furano. It would generally be cheaper to go out for dinner than to cook a similar meal at your lodging. If you cook at your lodgings, you run the risk of missing out on the culinary delights of Furano and the chance to experience some fantastic restaurants and bars loaded with delicious food and amazing culture.
A simple meal of a bowl a noodles (ramen), costs around 600 - 800 YEN.
A main meal for 1, be it pasta, curry, fish or meat will generally cost around 800 - 1,200 YEN.
A large Japanese style banquet meal, usually at a restaurant called an Izakaya where you order a number of small meals generally costs around 1,500 - 2,500 YEN.

Q How much do drinks cost?
Vending machines are just about everywhere and anything from hot or cold coffee, tea and hot chocolate, to soft drinks, juice and even beer can be bought for between 120 - 200 YEN for non-alcoholic drinks and between 300 - 500 YEN for alcoholic beverages.

Q How much are taxis?
Taxis are not too expensive in Furano because there is not much traffic and most things are quite close. Flag fall for a taxi in Furano is 530 YEN. Flag rates differ throughout Japan. You should be able to get anywhere around town for around 1,000YEN.

Q What should I bring?
You can get almost everything you need in Furano if you do not pack it before you leave. A small tip is to bring some small souvenirs from your home country, such as pins or small toys which you can keep in your pocket and give as a present to any local that may help you along the way. Some skiers keep pockets full of small stuffed koalas to give to Ski Hosts, Ski Patrol or the local kids you may ride a lift with.

Q Where is the best area to stay in Furano?
This depends on many factors. In winter, most guests choose to stay in Kitanomine or in the New Furano Prince Hotel. You can however stay in a beautiful hotel such as Orika or one of the other pensions away from the hill and get a shuttle bus each day.
There are even isolated pensions where you can enjoy your trip and have a very original experience and some traditional onsen (hot spring) hotels and lodges in the mountains such as around Tokachidake.
Some pensions and hotels are difficult to access if you do not have a car but this should not discourage you. Many hotels and pensions offer pick up services from the station and will drop you back when you wish to return.
There are some spectacular areas with pensions and B & Bs located in picture postcard scenes with friendly accommodating owners. Downtown offers the convenience of easy access and a great choice of shops and restaurants. Kitanomine has a number of restaurants and bars and is only 1.5km from downtown.

Q What kind of place should I stay in?
One of the beauties of Furano is that just about every style of accommodation is available.
You can choose to stay in a hotel with Western features or a Japanese style hotel which might be just as comfortable but also have more of a traditional feel.
Traditional onsen (hot spring) accommodation also exists where guests are sure to return home with amazing stories and memories of their stay.
There are a variety of pensions (family run lodges), Minshiku and Ryokan (traditional Japanese style lodging), cottages, farm stays, back packers inns, and even a number of camp sites located at some beautiful locations around Furano. Each on of these has its own charm and own beauty.

Q Can I communicate with my home country from Furano?
Yes. You can use email at some of the hotels and at some of the internet cafes around Furano. To call home it is best to buy a phone card from the internet or to directly call from your hotel or pension. Please be aware of the approximate costs of the call before calling to avoid any unexpected large bills.

Q Is there internet access in Furano?
There are a number of cafes and government buildings in Furano where you can use the internet. Some hotels and lodges have internet terminals available. Please check the Furano Tourism Maps when you arrive in Furano or see the restaurants and cafes page for information about internet cafes.

Q Can I use my credit card or an ATM in Furano?
You can get money out in Furano using an international card at the Furano Post Office. This is the only place in Furano where you can take money out using an international card. These ATMs have English commands and are simple to use. There is a Post Office in Kitanomine but there are no ATMs there. The main central PO is downtown 1.5km from the base of the ski area.

Q Can I change money in Furano?
Yes. You can change money at one of the banks in town. You may not get the best possible rate at these local banks but you can change your money.

Q Will I enjoy Furano?
Yes. If you come to Furano with an open heart and a desire to experience beautiful nature, incredible sights and views, relaxing onsen, fantastic skiing and adventure activities, delicious cuisine, and a beautiful culture, you will enjoy Furano.

Q What kind of guest enjoys Furano?
Guests who come to Furano with a desire have an experience and get as much out of their holiday in Furano will enjoy this town. Furano is not just a ski area; Furano is not just a flower farm. There is so much to see, do and experience.

Q Do I need to speak Japanese?
No. If you can learn a few words of Japanese it will make your trip into Furano more enjoyable but you will be able to survive with no Japanese at all.

Q I want to learn some Japanese?
Well done and good luck. There are many ways to study but why don’t you try learning this list to start.

Q This is my first trip to Japan, any advice on Japanese culture that I should learn about?
The best way to learn about a culture is to experience it. If you keep your eyes peeled you should be able to pick up cultural intricacies faster than you would be able to remember them from here. A shoe rack before a room will generally mean that you should take your shoes off. The locals understand it is not your culture but please always try and be as respectful and humble as you can, just as you would hope a guest to your hometown would be.
Some small ones to be aware of would be as follows. It is common curtesy to take your shoes off before some rooms. Correct polite use of chopsticks says you shouldn’t pass food between them and that you shouldn’t stick them up in your food.
Hot springs generally have an instructional sheet on the etiquette on how to us them correctly. The easiest way might be simply to watch a Japanese guest.
Some traditional restaurants and bars serve a small plate of food with the first alcoholic drink. This is not free but costs around 300 to 400 YEN and comes as a set with the first drink. Please be aware at some bars this practice may be in place.

Q Does Furano have a hospital or any doctors?
Yes. Furano has two hospitals with many tops quality doctors and nurses who can speak English. Some of Furano’s doctors have studied or practiced overseas and can handle all requests in English.

Q What are the emergency numbers?
All emergency services have bases in Furano.
Ambulance - 119
Fire - 119
Police - 110

Q What kind of food do the locals eat and what kind of food do the restaurants serve?
Furano is famous for the food it serves and most of this food is grown and produced in Furano. This means that the food is fresh and healthy with local vegetables, dairy products, meats and poultry along with seafood trucked in from the coast just over 2 hours away. Restaurants prepare the meals using these ingredients with an amazing variety with everything from curries to pastas, to pizzas to hot pots, to sushi to lamb and beef BBQs, to noodle bars and just about anything else you can think about. The food is predominantly Japanese style or Western with a perfect touch of Japanese style and flavour.

Q Should I bring my own medicine just in case I get sick?
If you have any special medical requirements or require special medicine, please bring this with you just in case you can not get it in Furano. Furano does have a high quality medical system.

Q I have special dietary requirements?
Some of Furano’s hotels and pensions are able to prepare special meals for guests with special requirements. Furano has a great number of restaurants, many of which have English menus.

Q What kind of clothes and shoes do I need in each season?
Furano has four distinct seasons and as such the weather can vary greatly. Winter clothing should be brought from late October until late April although October and April often provide beautiful warm days. Gloves and a woollen hat or beanie should be worn during the winter months.
Even in summer a sweater or fleece is recommended for cooler evenings.
The ground is covered with snow from late November until early April so good shoes are recommended for walking and not slipping over.

Q How should I get to Furano?
There are many ways to get to Furano. You can use JR, buses, rental cars, or a private transfer. Driving in winter can be difficult and stressful and with Japanese public transportation generally running on time it is probably easier to catch public transport to Furano.
In summer, many trains and tour buses run to and from Furano making it a very easy destination to get to. Traffic coming into Furano from Sapporo and getting around Furano during the lavender season can be very heavy so please allow time for this inconvenience. Please check our Access Page.

Q How should I get around Furano?
Furano is small enough that you can easily get around by foot and by taxi if you want to go downtown. In summer you can ride a bike around which you can hire in town.
(If you are in town for a week you could even buy a bike from HOMAC for around 8,000YEN and use it for your entire stay here and give it to a local as you get back on the train to move on.) Please check our Getting About Page.

Q What are the main industries for Furano?
Furano is primarily a small rural town based around farming and tourism. The main tourism is during the summer flower season and during the lavender season. The ski season also sees Japanese travel from around the country to ski this famous hill and also an influx of international skiers to experience the incredible snow and culture.
The main agricultural products are potato, melon, onion and carrots.

Q How many people in Furano?
Furano has a population of around 25,000 friendly and easy going folk.

Q What are Furano locals like?
Living in an area like this it is not too difficult to see why everyone here seems to smile as they walk down the street. The locals enjoy the local environment and the culture just as much as the tourists and hope that the tourist come and enjoy the area and return with great memories. To find out about what king of people make up Furano please visit our People of Furano Page.