1. From Sapporo to Furano – A Tour of the Magnificent Scenery in Furano, Tomamu, and Biei with Ping-ping. Private road trip in Hokkaido.

Starting out from New Chitose Airport, Ping-ping is about to set out on a trip to experience the magnificent scenery of Hokkaido! Route 1 starts from some strolling in Furano after arriving at New Chitose Airport, and then leaving for Tomamu.

Transportation

1)
Point of departure:　New Chitose Airport
Point of arrival:　Furano
Required time:　2 hr 10 mins.
Main roads used:　Furano road (Road 237), Doto Expressway (Toll road)
Expressway toll:　3,050 yen

2)
Point of departure:　Furano
Point of arrival:　Tomamu
Required time:　1 hr 20 mins.
Main roads used:　Karikachi road (Road 38)
Expressway toll:　0 yen

＊The required times shown are standard times and do not include breaks.
＊Expressway tolls differ depending on conditions.

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 Tabilai – Rental car reservation website in Japan

 

Highlights

1. New Chitose Airport (Sapporo)

New Chitose Airport – the Gateway to Hokkaido.　*Reference link: New Chitose Airport

First, I went to a rental car desk in the airport to go through the procedure to rent a car.

Then I was taken to the rental car company by an exclusive bus from the airport.

Procedure completed!
I checked the car with a staff member to see if there were any scratches on the car before renting it.

It was a clean, new car with a navigation system and an ETC (electronic toll collection system).

 

Tabirai – Rental car reservation website in Japan

Compare all the leading car rentals in Japan! Reservation possible without registeration.

Tabirai reservation website (English) 

Now, we are off to Furano!

 

 

2. Furano

After driving on the highway for about one hour, I got off the highway from the exit closest to Furano.

After getting off the highway, I drove on a public road.
The red down arrow is a sign for winter time to indicate the width of the road when it is covered by snow.

I fully enjoyed the nature scenery while driving.

I decided to stop by at one of the many melon shops along the way.

I savored Furano melon!

There is a flower garden outside the window.

A great number of melons were lined up to be sold as souvenirs.

After driving further, I arrived at a cheese factory in the woods.

For lunch, I ate pizza made with the cheese the factory prides itself on.

And finally, I arrived at the lavender garden!

This is a town-operated lavender garden.
People can tour this garden in a more leisurely, relaxed manner compared to the famous lavender garden.

Then, I arrived at the most famous garden, Farm Tomita.

Hotels in Furano

Furano Hotel [ Booking.com, Agoda, JAPANiCAN ]
Furano Resort Orika [ JAPANiCAN ]
New Furano Prince Hotel [ Booking.com, Agoda, JAPANiCAN ]

Time had passed by so quickly while looking at the lovely flowers that it was already early evening so I left the garden for Tomamu to spend the night there.

 

 

3. Tomamu

I drove on a public road.

I arrived in Tomamu before dark.

I decided to stay at Hoshino Resorts Risonare Tomamu!

Hotels

Hoshino Resorts Risonare Tomamu [ JAPANiCAN ] (photo above)
Hoshino Resorts Tomamu The Tower [ JAPANiCAN ]

 

Go on to [ 2. From Tomamu’s Unkai(sea of clouds) to Furano and Biei ]

 

 

Route map

 

 

Tabirai – Rental car reservation website in Japan

Compare all the leading car rentals in Japan! Reservation possible without registeration.

For Tabirai reservation website (English)

From making an online reservation to picking up your car

 

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Hokkaido (Report made in July 2016)

• A Tour of the Magnificent Scenery in Furano, Tomamu, and Biei with Ping-ping. Private road trip in Hokkaido.
• 1. From Sapporo to Furano.
• 2. From Tomamu’s Unkai(sea of clouds) to Furano and Biei.

 

Kyushu (Report made in July 2016)

• Going around popular hot springs by rental car
• 1. From Fukuoka City to Ureshino Hot Spring(Onsen), Saga Prefecture
• 2. From Ureshino Hot Spring(Onsen) to Nagasaki City and Unzen Hot Spring(Onsen), Nagasaki Prefecture
• 3. From Unzen Hot Spring(Onsen) to Kurokawa Hot Spring(Onsen), Kumamoto Prefecture, and Yufuin Hot Spring(Onsen), Oita Prefecture
• 4. From Yufuin Hot Spring(Onsen) to Beppu Hot Spring(Onsen), Oita Prefecture, and Fukuoka Airport