Free Shikisai-no-Oka Flower Viewing Ticket + Flower Field Tractor Tour: Hokkaido Biei Furano Flower Fields, Patchwork Road (drive-by), Seven Star Tree, Shirogane Blue Pond, Shirasu Falls, Shikisai-no-Oka, Farm Tomita (departing from Sapporo)

The best part of this day is the variety: one morning takes you from Biei’s open farmland to the striking blue water of Shirogane Pond, then on to flower fields at Shikisai-no-Oka and Farm Tomita. It packs several far-flung sights into one Sapporo day, without asking you to plan rural bus connections.

I like two things in particular: the route pairs headline sights with small, distinct stops such as Shirahige Falls, and the Shikisai-no-Oka admission ticket is included. Guides named on recent departures include Xiao Hong, Xiao Yang, Rita and James Wong, though the guide on your date may differ.

The trade-off is a long day on the road, with short visits at some stops and little freedom to linger. The tour is best in summer, when the fields are in bloom; its winter copy describes a different itinerary, so check the exact date and route before booking.

• Patchwork Road is a scenic drive-by: Expect a quick look at Biei’s rolling farm country, not a long walk through fields.
• The Seven Stars Tree has a story: This lone tree became a local landmark after appearing in a Japanese cigarette advertisement in 1976.
• Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls make a strong pair: The pond’s color changes with the light, while the nearby waterfall brings a different kind of drama.
• Shikisai-no-Oka admission is included: The tractor bus is available as an option, but confirm whether its fare is covered.
• Farm Tomita adds classic Furano color: Flower beds, lavender products and local treats make this a good final stop.
• Budget for a full day: Departures begin around 07:50 or 08:00, with return to central Sapporo listed for around 18:10 or 18:20.

A full day of Biei and Furano from Sapporo

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This is a bus tour for seeing a lot of central Hokkaido in one day. From Sapporo, the route reaches Biei’s rural sights, the Blue Pond and falls, then two major flower stops before returning to the city. The listed price starts at US$47.29, with round-trip transfers and Shikisai-no-Oka admission included.

That price is appealing if you want the headline sights without arranging transport between them. Biei and Furano are spread across the countryside, and a guided bus removes the need to work out how to connect each stop. The cost does not cover meals, drinks, personal expenses or insurance, so bring money for lunch and snacks.

You should think of this as a sampler, not a slow country escape. Patchwork Road is viewed from the vehicle, and the Blue Pond and falls each have limited stop times. The payoff is range: the tour covers several places that would be difficult to combine independently in one day without a car.

Patchwork Road and the Seven Stars Tree

The day begins with a drive along Patchwork Road, a name for the patchwork of cultivated fields across Biei’s rolling hills. The colors and patterns depend on what is growing and the season, so this is a changing agricultural scene rather than a permanent flower garden. The tour allows about five minutes for this drive-by portion.

That brief viewing is worth setting expectations for. You can enjoy the countryside from the bus window, but you will not have time to wander between fields or choose your own viewpoint. If you want a leisurely rural walk, this format will feel brisk.

The Seven Stars Tree gets a separate stop of about ten minutes. It became famous after appearing in advertising and on packaging for Seven Stars cigarettes in 1976. Its appeal is simple: one solitary tree against Biei’s open farmland. The setting can make a striking photograph, but there is no attraction complex or long visit here.

Shirogane Blue Pond in changing light

The Blue Pond stop lasts about 30 minutes, enough for a short walk and photos. The pond is an artificial reservoir created as part of measures to help prevent mudflows after Mount Tokachi erupted in 1988. Its mineral-rich water can appear blue, with the effect shifting according to the light.

The bare larch trees rising from the water give the place its distinctive look. Apple has used an image of the pond as a desktop wallpaper, which helped make it familiar well beyond Hokkaido. Still, the color is not a switch you can turn on: weather and light affect what you see. A gray or rainy day may soften the famous blue, though the tree silhouettes remain compelling.

Thirty minutes is a practical stop, not a long visit. You can take in the main view and make photographs, but there is no time for a leisurely pause. Wear shoes you are comfortable walking in, and keep an eye on the group’s return time.

Shirahige Falls and the blue river

About 20 minutes are set aside for Shirahige Falls, also called Shirahige Waterfall. Water pours from gaps in the rock into a vivid blue river below. The scene is close to the road, making it an easy contrast to the wider, open views around Biei’s fields.

The waterfall’s character changes with the season. Green growth frames it in summer, while the water and rock remain the focus in other conditions. It is a short stop, but a worthwhile one: after the broad pond and farmland, the falling water gives you a more concentrated natural scene.

The schedule does not promise a long trail or an extended walk. Treat this as a viewpoint stop, and use the time to take in the falls rather than expecting a hike.

Shikisai-no-Oka’s flower fields and tractor option

Shikisai-no-Oka is the day’s main flower-field stop, with about 40 minutes to explore. The park covers roughly 15 hectares, with rolling plots that create bands of color across the hills. In summer, flowers such as lavender and sunflowers are among the draw, with the Tokachidake range providing a distant backdrop when conditions allow.

Admission is included in this package, which is useful because it removes one small expense and makes the stop straightforward. The tour information also describes a tractor bus as an option for touring the grounds. However, the included-items list specifies admission, not a tractor fare, so check what is covered before you count on riding it.

Forty minutes gives you a taste, not a slow visit. If you prefer to explore on foot, choose a few sections rather than trying to cover every path. If you want the tractor ride, ask about its price and schedule when you arrive. The fields look very different outside the flowering season, and the summer-specific appeal is the clearest match for this tour.

Lunch at the herb garden

The tour allows about 45 minutes at a herb garden, where lunch is at your own expense. This is your main planned meal stop, so bring a little flexibility: the precise food options and prices are not specified, and the schedule may shift with traffic.

Local treats are part of the pleasure of a Hokkaido day out. Ice cream, corn and cantaloupe are mentioned as tempting purchases along the route, and you may find regional flavors worth trying if they are available during your visit. They are extras, not part of the tour price.

Because the day is long, a small snack and a refillable drink can be useful. The tour vehicle does not allow eating or drinking, so plan to have them at stops rather than on board.

Farm Tomita’s flowers and local sweets

Farm Tomita gets about 45 minutes. It is known for its flower fields, including a colorful arrangement of seven flower types such as lavender, baby’s breath and poppies. Admission is free, so this stop adds no entry charge, though any food or purchases are your own expense.

In peak summer, lavender is the star, and the farm’s desserts offer an easy way to taste the region as well as see it. Lavender ice cream and melon are among the treats associated with the stop. If you are keen on a particular snack or product, keep in mind that availability can vary.

The visit is short for a farm with several fields and shops, so prioritize what matters to you. You might focus on the flower beds and photos, or save time for a treat. This is not a deep visit to Furano, but it gives you a satisfying final look at the area’s best-known summer scenery.

What the long bus day feels like

The tour starts in the morning, with departure times listed around 07:50 and 08:00. Return is listed at JR Sapporo Station North Exit Bus Terminal around 18:10, and at Odori Park Subway Station Exit 31 around 18:20. Actual arrival depends on traffic, so do not schedule a flight, train or dinner tightly against the return time.

Round-trip transfers are included, and the tour has an English- or Chinese-speaking guide. Guide style can shape the day: recent departures have had guides named Xiao Hong, Xiao Yang, Rita and James Wong. Their reported strengths include clear explanations, help with photos and sharing information about local food and flowers. These names are examples, not a promise of who will lead your departure.

The vehicle type depends on the number of people, and seating is assigned first come, first served. A small group may have a driver who also serves as the attendant, with briefer explanations. Child seats are not available, and luggage storage or delivery is not provided. If you need to bring luggage, arrange it with the operator in advance.

Is US$47.29 good value?

At a starting price of US$47.29, the tour offers a lot of ground covered for one day, especially if you are staying in Sapporo and do not have a rental car. Transfers and Shikisai-no-Oka admission are included, while the route gathers several popular Biei and Furano stops into one outing. For a first visit, that convenience can be worth more than the freedom of an unstructured day.

The value depends on what you want from each place. If you want time to hike, linger over lunch or wait for ideal light at the pond, the fixed schedule will feel limiting. If your priority is seeing the main sights without navigating rural transport, the price is easier to justify.

Remember to budget separately for food, drinks and personal purchases. Also clarify the tractor bus fare at Shikisai-no-Oka, since the package includes the admission ticket but does not clearly list the ride as an included service.

Practical details before you go

Arrive at the designated meeting point ten minutes early. The operator sends meeting information between 17:00 and 21:00 the day before, so check your email, including spam, and use the most recent message if more than one arrives. The exact departure point should be confirmed in that message.

The schedule can change with traffic, weather, maintenance or other conditions. In peak periods, especially during Japan’s Obon holiday from August 8 to 16, congestion and early closing times can affect the day. Bring a power bank and a light snack, and avoid booking evening transport or dinner that depends on a precise return time.

The tour may be cancelled if the minimum group size is not met, or in severe weather. If the operator cancels, you can reschedule or request a full refund. For a normal booking, cancellation at least 24 hours before the activity date qualifies for a full refund; arriving late or missing the departure does not. The tour does not include personal travel or accident insurance.

Should you book this Biei and Furano tour?

Book it if you want a convenient, full-day introduction to Biei and Furano, especially during summer flower season. You get the famous roadside tree, the Blue Pond, Shirahige Falls, Shikisai-no-Oka and Farm Tomita in one outing, with transfers from Sapporo and a guide to keep the day moving.

Skip it if you want a slow visit, an independent route or long stretches at any single attraction. The itinerary is packed, and the rural stops are brief. Before booking, confirm the meeting point and whether the Shikisai-no-Oka tractor bus costs extra. With those expectations set, this is a practical way to see a wide slice of Hokkaido in one day.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It is a full-day outing, with departure around 07:50 or 08:00 and return to Sapporo listed around 18:10 or 18:20. Traffic can change the actual arrival time.

What is included in the price?

The package includes round-trip transfers, an English- or Chinese-speaking guide, and admission to Shikisai-no-Oka. Meals, drinks, personal expenses and insurance are not included.

Is the Shikisai-no-Oka tractor bus included?

The package title mentions a flower-field tractor tour, while the included-items list specifies the admission ticket. The tractor bus is described as an option, so confirm whether its fare is included before booking.

Where does the tour return in Sapporo?

The listed return points are JR Sapporo Station North Exit Bus Terminal around 18:10 and Odori Park Subway Station Exit 31 around 18:20. Actual arrival depends on traffic.

Is lunch included?

No. The tour includes about 45 minutes at a herb garden, where lunch is at your own expense.

Can I bring luggage on the bus?

Luggage storage and delivery services are not provided. If you need to bring luggage, inform the operator in advance; unapproved luggage may be refused.

Are child seats available?

No. Child seats are not available, and infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount.

Can I cancel for a refund?

A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, based on local time. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.