Overview
Rustusu Resort offers a fantastic Ski In / Ski Out resort hotel holiday experience for everyone.
The transfer time from Rusutsu to Furano is between 4 and 6 hours depending on your choice of transfer.
Train, bus, private taxi transfer and self-drive are all possible options for transport from Rusutsu to Furano.
Rusutsu to Furano Bus
- Price: ¥5,600 per adult / ¥4,100 per child
- Transfer Time: 5.5 to 6 hours (including waiting time between buses)
Taking the bus from Rusutsu to Furano is relatively direct with just one change of vehicle required at Chitose Airport.
- Stage 1: Rusutsu to Chitose Airport (2 to 2.5 hours)
- Stage 2: Chitose Airport to Furano (2.5 to 3 hours)
A comfort break along the way is provided for both stages, so you can get out and stretch your legs.
Buses pick up from Rusutsu Resort Hotel & Westin Rusutsu.
Buses drop off all over the Furano area, so whether you are staying in Shin Furano, Kitanomine or Furano Town, bus services are an option open to you.
Bus transfers must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance but as early as possible is recommended.
Pros
- Well priced
Cons
- Change of vehicle and a 30 to 60 minutes wait at Chitose Airport is required
- Longer transfer time than a private taxi transfer
Rusutsu to Furano Taxi
- Price: ¥6,100 to ¥55,000 per person - depending on vehicle type and number of passengers
- Transfer Time: 4 hours
Private Taxi Transfers are the most convenient and fastest option for transfer from Rusutsu to Furano with a variety of vehicle sizes offered.
The driver will meet you at your accommodation in Rusutsu and drop you off at your accommodation in Furano.
Private taxi transfers must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance but as early as possible is recommended.
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
- Much faster than bus services
Cons
- More expensive than other options
Train from Rusutsu to Furano
- Price: Approximately ¥6,250 to ¥8,300 per person
- Transfer Time: 5.5 to 6.5 hours
Japan has a world-class network of trains that famously run on time to the second!
Niseko Train Station is the closest train station to Rusutsu but is 30 minutes drive away, so is not an ideal option.
Furano Station is centrally located in Furano Town. Tickets can be purchased on the day of travel from ticket machines or a sales counter.
There are two possible route options that take place in four stages:
Option 1
- Stage 1: JR Hakodate Line: Niseko Station -> Otaru Station (90 minutes)
- Stage 2: JR Rapid Airport Line: Otaru Station -> Sapporo Station (30 minutes)
- Stage 3: Limited Express Lilac Line: Sapporo Station -> Takikawa Station (53 minutes)
- Stage 4: JR Nemuro Line: Takikawa Station -> Furano Station (66 minutes)
Option 2
- Stage 1: JR Hakodate Line: Niseko Station -> Otaru Station (90 minutes)
- Stage 2: JR Rapid Airport Line: Otaru Station -> Sapporo Station (30 minutes)
- Stage 3: Limited Express Lilac Line: Sapporo Station -> Asahikawa Station (84 minutes)
- Stage 4: JR Furano Line: Asahikawa Station -> Furano Station (73 minutes)
Some Train Services will allow you to complete stages 1&2 without changing trains. More commonly a change of trains at Otaru Station or Sapporo Station is required. This change is pretty straightforward at Otaru Station, which is a small station with just a few platforms. Most often this entails disembarking from your train, crossing the platform to the opposite track and boarding the train shortly after arriving at that platform.
Rusutsu Ski Resort to Niseko Station (30 mins)
Donan Bus Company operates a bus service departing from Rusutsu ski resort and dropping off at Niseko Train Station with several departures daily.
Alternatively, Rusutsu accommodation providers can arrange a local taxi for you, which will likely cost at least ¥5,000. Please ensure you have your destination written out in Japanese as most taxi drivers in Japan do not speak conversational level English.
Tip
- If travelling during day light, try and get a window seat on the right-hand side of the train for the section of the journey around Otaru as there are fantastic views out of the Sea of Japan to be had.
Japan Rail Pass: For guests visiting Rusutsu 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.
Pros
- Free if you hold a JR Rail Pass
- Less expensive than private taxi transfer
Cons
- A little complex if not familiar with trains in Japan
- 3x changes of trains required
- Not ideal for passengers with ski / snowboard bags
Drive from Rusutsu to Furano
- Price: Varies by vehicle type and hire duration
- Transfer Time: 4 hours
If you are planning on visiting Rusutsu before Furano and would like to hire a car, you can do so from Chitose Airport or Sapporo. Rusutsu Ski Resort does not have any car hire options on site or close by.
The route from Rusutsu to Furano 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 do the long drive from Rusutsu to Furano, you can hire a car in Furano Town.
Larger 7 or 8-seater vehicles, such as Toyota Hi-Ace or Mistubishi Delica, are commonly available to book in advance and can easily transport ski and snowboard bags.
Hire vehicles are four-wheel drive, come with winter tyres already fitted (so no snow chains are 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 local area and do day trips to other ski resorts
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.
Rusutsu Ski Resort
A medium size Japanese resort located in West Hokkaido, located just a short drive from Niseko with similar amounts of snow.
Rusutsu Accommodation
Rusutsu Resort is well serviced by two ski in / ski out resort hotels with plenty of restaurants and facilities. Ideal for groups and families wanting an all in ski holiday experience.
All information is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing.