Shikisai-no-Oka and Furano Tour with buffet lunch from Sapporo

The big draw here is simple: you get far beyond Sapporo in one long day, reaching Biei’s turquoise Blue Pond, Furano’s flower farms, and the rolling fields along Roller Coaster Road. I especially like the wide range of scenery and the chance to visit both Shikisai-no-Oka and Farm Tomita without arranging several train and bus connections yourself.

I also like the tour’s open feel. There is no compulsory shopping stop or required meal, and the bus gives you a comfortable base between sights. The main concern is the long travel time, with roughly two hours from Sapporo to the first stop and a full schedule that can feel rushed or tiring.

Key points to know before booking

• Four rural Hokkaido stops: See Roller Coaster Road, the Blue Pond, Herb Garden Furano, Shikisai-no-Oka, and Farm Tomita in one day.
• A full day outside Sapporo: Plan on 9 to 10 hours, including road time.
• Best flower views in summer: Farm Tomita and Shikisai-no-Oka are strongest when the flowers are in season, though the countryside still has appeal outside peak bloom.
• Optional buffet lunch: The meal is based on local Biei and Furano ingredients, but you are not forced to eat with the group.
• Comfort varies by vehicle: One departure had a spacious, air-conditioned bus, while another used an older, less comfortable minivan.
• Clear meeting-point planning matters: Arrive early, but verify the exact pickup place and bus details before the day begins.

A long but rewarding escape from Sapporo

This is a sightseeing day built around open fields, flower gardens, and rural roads rather than museums or city streets. From Sapporo, you head north into the Biei and Furano area, where the scenery changes to broad farm fields, low hills, and distant mountains.

The route is useful for first-time visitors who want to see several famous Hokkaido sights in one go. Public transport can reach parts of Biei and Furano, but connecting the Blue Pond, flower gardens, and farms in a single day takes planning. Here, you trade some independence for convenience.

The trade-off is time. A great deal of the day is spent on the road, and the schedule depends on traffic and weather. You should see this as a scenic coach excursion, not a slow country ramble. There is enough time to enjoy each main stop, but not enough to linger everywhere.

The group may be as large as 100 people, although the vehicle used can vary. One account described a spacious, air-conditioned bus that ran on time. Another described an older, uncomfortable minivan. That difference matters, especially on a day with several hours of driving, so check the current transport details if comfort is important to you.

Roller Coaster Road, where the road is the attraction

Roller Coaster Road is a scenic stretch in Biei known for its repeated rises and dips. The name comes from the undulating road, which gives the drive a playful feel without turning it into an amusement ride.

The road itself is free, and the main reward is the view from the vehicle. You pass open farmland and rolling countryside, with the road cresting and dropping through the hills. It is a good introduction to Biei because it shows why this area is prized for its simple rural scenery.

The listed stop allows up to three hours, though the exact use of that time can depend on traffic and the day’s operating plan. Do not expect a large attraction with exhibits or facilities. This is mainly a moving viewpoint and a chance to see the countryside between the more famous stops.

If you enjoy photography, keep your camera ready, but remember that a coach is not the same as stopping wherever you like. You may get a series of quick views rather than a long, quiet walk through the fields.

Shirogane Blue Pond and its strange blue water

The Shirogane Blue Pond, also called Aoiike, is one of the most unusual sights in the area. Its blue-green water comes from natural minerals, creating a color that can look almost unreal against the surrounding trees.

You have about an hour here. That is enough to walk around the viewing area and take photographs, but the stop is not designed for a long hike. The pond is at its best as a compact scenic visit: arrive, walk the paths, look at the changing shades of the water, and give yourself time to take in the stillness.

The color is not guaranteed to look identical every day. Weather and light affect how blue or pale the pond appears, and the schedule may change because of weather conditions. Even so, this is one of the strongest reasons to choose the tour. It gives you access to a distinctive natural sight that is not found in central Sapporo.

The Blue Pond can also be the busiest-feeling part of the day because it is a well-known photo stop. You will get more from it if you look beyond the first viewpoint and notice how the water, tree trunks, and sky work together in the scene.

Herb Garden Furano adds flowers and a slower hour

Herb Garden Furano provides a change of pace after the Blue Pond. Instead of one unusual feature, you get maintained gardens with flowers, herbs, and several places to pause and take pictures.

The stop lasts about an hour. That is enough for a pleasant walk, but not enough for a detailed botanical visit. I would use the time to stroll rather than rush from one photo spot to another. The garden is also a useful break from the bus because you can move at your own pace for a while.

The setting helps explain why Furano is such a popular summer side trip from Sapporo. The area is known for its flower farms, and the garden gives you a first taste before the larger fields at Shikisai-no-Oka and Farm Tomita.

The flowers are not equally impressive all year. One person enjoyed the trip even during the off-season, but also noted that the strongest colors come when the flowers are in full bloom. If you are choosing dates mainly for flowers, summer is the safer choice.

Shikisai-no-Oka, color across the hills

Shikisai-no-Oka is the tour’s broadest flower scene. Its gardens spread across about 15 hectares, with more than 30 types of flowers arranged across rolling ground.

The scale is what makes this place special. Rather than viewing flowers in a small enclosed garden, you look across bands of color running up and down the hills. From higher points, you can see across the Furano Basin toward the Tokachidake Mountains.

You have about an hour here, so plan your route before wandering too far. The fields cover a large area, and a short stop can disappear quickly if you stop at every viewpoint. I would first walk to a higher point for the overall view, then spend the remaining time among the flower beds.

This stop is highly dependent on the season. During peak bloom, it can be the most colorful part of the day. Outside that period, the views remain attractive, but you should lower your expectations if you are picturing endless strips of flowers at their brightest.

The free admission is another quiet advantage. You are paying for transport and the day’s organization, not a string of separate entrance fees at each stop. That makes the tour easier to budget.

Farm Tomita, lavender country in one substantial stop

Farm Tomita receives the longest scheduled visit, up to four hours. That extra time is useful because this is not just a quick field stop. You can walk through arranged flower areas, visit lavender sections when in season, climb toward higher views, and take time for food or shopping on your own.

The farm is especially associated with lavender. In summer, the purple fields create the classic Furano scene, with the Furano Basin and Tokachidake Mountains beyond. Other blooms add color at different times of year, so the exact appearance depends heavily on your date.

Four hours can feel generous compared with the one-hour garden stops. It gives you room to slow down and enjoy the farm without treating every minute as a photo deadline. You can also use this longer stop for the optional buffet lunch if it is part of your selected arrangement, or buy something independently.

Two local treats received specific praise: lavender soft serve and red melon. They are not listed as included items, so budget separately for personal food and purchases. These small extras can make the stop more enjoyable, but they should not be confused with the buffet.

The farm is also where the tour’s promise of free time works best. You are not locked into a compulsory meal or shopping program. You can spend the visit on the fields, food, views, or a mix of all three.

The optional buffet and what the price covers

The tour costs $94.99 per person. That is a fair price if you want to cover several rural sights in one day and prefer not to work out the transport yourself. The value comes mainly from the long-distance bus route, the coordinated stops, and the time saved on planning.

The buffet lunch is described as optional and uses fresh local ingredients from the Biei and Furano area. Because the meal is not compulsory, you have some control over how you spend your break. Confirm at booking whether your selected price includes the buffet or treats it as an add-on, since the meal details are presented in both ways.

Personal spending is not included. That means snacks, drinks, souvenirs, and treats such as soft serve or melon are extra. You should also allow for the fact that the tour price does not buy you private guiding or a small-group experience.

The language support may vary. One guide, Hannah, was singled out for her friendly help and explanations. Another guide was described as speaking Japanese, English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, while other feedback found the English information less detailed and the tour more oriented toward Chinese and Taiwanese customers.

That is an important distinction. You can expect help and basic organization, but do not book this primarily as an English-language historical tour. The experience is more about seeing the countryside than receiving long explanations at every stop.

Timing, comfort, and the practical weak points

The trip lasts about 9 to 10 hours, including driving. The first ride from Sapporo to the countryside takes about two hours, so bring water, keep a light snack handy, and think carefully about how much time you want to spend on your feet once you arrive.

Traffic and weather can change the schedule. Hokkaido distances are large, and a delay on the road can affect time at a later stop. The operator also notes that the route may change in poor weather.

Pickup deserves special attention. One person arrived 30 minutes early but could not find the bus at the meeting point and missed the departure. A guide called to help, but limited English made the situation harder. You should confirm the exact meeting place, look for the correct vehicle, and keep the operator’s contact information available. Late arrival and no-shows are not refunded.

Most people can take part, and the tour is near public transport at its starting point. Still, this is not a fully flexible private outing. You need to keep to the group timetable, and the large possible group size may mean queues or a less personal feel at the stops.

Comfort is also not guaranteed to be identical on every departure. An air-conditioned, spacious bus makes the long route easy. An older minivan can make the same itinerary feel much harder. If you have back, mobility, or motion concerns, ask about the vehicle before paying.

Who will get the most from this day trip

I would recommend this tour to you if:

• You are staying in Sapporo and want a simple day in Biei and Furano.
• You want famous sights without renting a car.
• You enjoy flower fields, farm scenery, and short scenic walks.
• You are visiting Hokkaido for the first time and want a broad introduction.
• You are comfortable spending much of the day on a coach.
• You value free time more than a tightly scripted meal program.

I would think twice if you want a quiet, private day or detailed English commentary at every stop. You may also prefer independent travel if you want to stay longer at the Blue Pond, skip a garden, or spend all afternoon at one farm.

Season matters more than almost anything else. For lavender and the strongest flower displays, choose the flowering period. Outside peak season, the road views, Blue Pond, and mountain scenery still give the outing purpose, but the flower fields may look less dramatic.

Should you book the Shikisai-no-Oka and Furano tour?

Book it if you want an efficient countryside sampler from Sapporo. For $94.99, you get a long-distance route, several major Biei and Furano sights, an optional local buffet, and enough time at Farm Tomita to avoid a rushed ten-minute photo stop.

Go in with clear expectations. This is a long group day, not a relaxed private drive. The vehicle and English commentary may vary, pickup instructions need careful checking, and the best flower scenes depend on the season.

My practical call is this: choose the tour for convenience, variety, and access to places that are awkward to combine independently. Skip it if your priority is total freedom, a small group, or a slow visit focused on one farm.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

The tour lasts approximately 9 to 10 hours, including travel time between Sapporo and the Biei and Furano sights.

What places are visited?

The route includes Roller Coaster Road, Shirogane Blue Pond, Herb Garden Furano, Shikisai-no-Oka, and Farm Tomita.

Is lunch included?

A buffet lunch is listed as optional. It features local ingredients from Biei and Furano. Confirm the meal arrangement for your selected booking.

Are admission tickets included?

The listed stops show free admission. Personal expenses, including food or purchases outside the tour arrangement, are not included.

Is the tour suitable outside the main flower season?

Yes, the countryside and Blue Pond can still be enjoyed outside peak bloom. However, the flower fields are most colorful when flowers are in season.

Can the schedule change?

Yes. Traffic and weather can affect the timing or route, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled.

What happens if I arrive late or miss the bus?

Late arrivals and no-shows are not refunded. Check the exact meeting point and vehicle details carefully, and arrive early.