Overview
Sapporo the capital of Hokkaido, is Japan's 5th largest city and has a population of around 2 million people.
Sightseeing, shopping, dining, nightlife and the famous Sapporo Snow Festival that takes place every February are the main draws for visitors.
The transfer time from Sapporo to Furano is 2.5 to 3 hours.
Train, bus, private taxi transfer and self-drive are all possible options for transport from Sapporo to Furano.
Sapporo to Furano Taxi
- Price: ¥3,000 to ¥40,000 per person - depending on vehicle type and number of passengers
- Transfer Time: 2.5 hours
Private Taxi Transfers are the most convenient and fastest option for transfer from Sapporo to Furano with a variety of vehicle sizes offered.
For transfer to Furano, the driver will meet you in your hotel lobby, carry your bags to the vehicle and drop you off at your check in location in Furano.
For transfer from Furano, the driver will collect you from your accommodation and drop you off at your Sapporo hotel. This means no lugging ski bags around the city!
Tip
- You can book a stop off at a supermarket to buy groceries for an additional charge. If you are staying in self-catering accommodation in Furano and plan to cook some of your own meals, this can be really useful.
Pros
- Available 24 hours a day
- Most convenient
- Faster than bus services
Cons
- More expensive than other options
Sapporo to Furano Train
- Price: Approximately ¥4,500 per person
- Transfer Time: Up to 3.5 hours - depending on waiting time between trains
Japan has a world-class network of trains that famously run on time to the second!
Sapporo Train Station is centrally located in the city. Tickets can be purchased on the day of travel from ticket machines or a sales counter.
Furano Train Station is located in Furano Town, 5 to 10 minutes’ drive from Kitanomine village or Shin Furano.
The route takes place in two stages:
- Stage 1: JR Limited Express Lilac Line: Sapporo Station -> Takikawa Station (50 minutes)
- Stage 2: JR Nemuro Line: Takikawa Station -> Furano Station (66 minutes)
If you plan which train you plan to get in advance, most accommodations in Furano will provide a pick up and drop service between Furano Station and your accommodation, if you book it with them in advance with a couple of weeks’ notice.
Alternatively, you can take a local taxi for approximately ¥2,500 for the 5 to 10 minutes’ drive. Please ensure you have your destination written out in Japanese as most taxi drivers in Japan do not speak conversational level English.
Japan Rail Pass: For guests visiting Furano as part of a longer itinerary of travel elsewhere in Japan, either side of their ski experience, a Japan Rail Pass can be a fantastic investment, allowing unlimited train travel on most Japan Rail trains, for periods of 7, 14 or 21 days to suit your travel schedule.
- Look up winter season train timetables on JR Hokkaido
- Search Japan's train schedules using the Japan Transit Planner.
Note: Sapporo train station is listed as “SAPPORO(JR)” in this system (not to be confused with “SAPPORO(SUBWAY)" or "SAPPORO-BEER-TEIEN”, which are different services.
Pros
- Free if you hold a JR Rail Pass
Cons
- Longer transfer time than Bus Transfer
- Not ideal for passengers with ski / snowboard bags
Drive from Sapporo to Furano
- Price: Varies by vehicle type and hire duration
- Transfer Time: 2 hours
Sapporo has lots of car hire options for those wanting to drive themselves the 2 hours drive from Sapporo to Furano.
The route is pretty straightforward with road signs in English but driving in January and February can be a little tricky for those without experience of driving in challenging winter conditions. Snow & ice covered roads are commonplace and visibility can be poor when snow is falling, which is not uncommon in Hokkaido!
If you are comfortable driving in these conditions, having a vehicle opens up the possibility of day tripping to Tomamu, Sahoro, Asahidake or Kamui Ski Links ski resorts, to off the beaten path Onsen hot springs in the area or for authentic dining in Furano Town.
If you like the sound of this but prefer not to drive on your arrival and departure days, you can hire a car in Furano Town. This is becoming increasingly popular, so book as early as you can and check that your accommodation has sufficient parking.
Hire vehicles are four-wheel drive, come with winter tyres fitted (so no snow chains required) and English language GPS can be booked.
All drivers must bring their own national driver's license and a valid International Drivers Permit to legally drive in Japan. Car hire companies will not hand over the keys without these documents.
Pros
- Flexibility to get around in the Furano area
Cons
- Challenging driving conditions – snowy / icy roads & poor visibility
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Furano Transfers
Whether you are coming from New Chitose Airport, Asahikawa Airport, Sapporo, Asahikawa or one of the other Hokkaido Ski Resorts, there are numerous options for the transfer to Furano.
Book now through our Pre-Trip Concierge Service
Available for guests that have booked accommodation with us.
Furano Accommodation
Furano has a mix of Ski In / Ski Out Resort Hotels, Japanese Pensions and self catering apartments located at the base of the Furano Ski Resort.
All information is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing.