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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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).

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

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

Tomamu [ Booking.com　Agoda ]

 

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

 

 

Route map

 

 

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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