2026 Biei Bus Tour Review | Farm Tomita, Blue Pond & Junpei
I visited Biei three years ago during the Sapporo Snow Festival in winter. This time, I headed back because I wanted to see the summer scenery filled with flowers and lavender!
I booked the small-group Biei bus tour operated by Sapporo Base Camp through My Real Trip, and what I liked most was that it included a reservation at Junpei. It was actually the restaurant I remembered as the best meal I had during my previous trip to Sapporo!
The tour cost 100,000 KRW per person and ran as a full-day itinerary, departing from in front of the clock tower at Odori Park at 7 a.m. and returning to Susukino around 6 p.m. Since you’ll need to get up early and make your way to the meeting point, it’s a good idea to check the route from your accommodation in advance.
The early morning view of Odori Park
🚌 Diving into a Full-Day Furano and Biei Route
I joined the tour on Thursday, July 23, 2026, and the actual route roughly followed this order:
Seven Stars Tree → Ken & Mary Tree → Junpei lunch → Blue Pond → Shirahige Falls → Shikisai-no-Oka → Farm Tomita
Covering this many places in a single day by public transportation in Biei would’ve been nearly impossible, which is why many visitors rent a car. We weren’t confident about driving on the opposite side of the road in Japan, so we decided to go with a tour instead!
Our guide, 삿찌 (a cute nickname he said came from being a hamster living in Sapporo!), shared plenty of stories about each destination while we traveled, so it didn’t feel like we were simply passing by and looking at scenery.
I’d also worried about motion sickness since parts of the route went through semi-mountain roads, but the female driver handled the bus smoothly and steadily. Even during the long rides, I didn’t feel sick at all. Since it’s a long day, comfortable driving turned out to be a major plus.
🌳 Stepping into the Completely Different Summer Side of Seven Stars Tree
The first stop was Seven Stars Tree.
Seven Stars Tree with lush green summer leaves
The scenery featured a single tree standing in a vast field. The wide-open surroundings immediately made it feel like we’d truly arrived in Biei.
The rolling hills of summer Biei
Green fields and golden fields waiting for harvest stretched out one after another, creating a literal patchwork landscape. The weather was fantastic too, so every photo captured those classic summer Hokkaido colors.
The surrounding fields are private farmland. When taking photos, remember not to step into the fields and stay within the designated viewing areas.
Seven Stars Tree during a snowy winter
I actually saw Seven Stars Tree three years ago in winter, but back then everything around it was covered in snow, making it look completely different.
In summer, green fields and blue skies spread out in every direction. In winter, only the tree remained standing above the white snowfields, creating a quieter and more cinematic atmosphere.
Winter scenery was special, but the cold was no joke. I still remembered my toes freezing while taking just a few photos.
Summer felt much easier for moving around thanks to lighter clothing and milder conditions, making it more comfortable for visiting multiple spots.
🍤 Digging into Junpei Without the Wait
The famous Junpei! I think we arrived around 10:30 a.m.
It was a bit early for lunch, but one of the main reasons I chose this tour was the chance to get into Junpei without a long wait. I definitely wanted to make the most of it.
Junpei’s rice bowl topped with four large pieces of tempura shrimp
Both this time and during my previous visit, I ordered the rice bowl topped with four tempura shrimp.
Maybe my memory from years ago was too good, but this visit felt slightly less impressive than I remembered.
Still, being able to enjoy Junpei without waiting in line was a huge advantage.
The meal wasn’t included in the tour price. You simply paid for whatever you ordered at the restaurant. During my visit, regular credit cards weren’t accepted and cash was required, so I paid with Alipay.
Payment methods can change, but I’d recommend bringing cash or a supported mobile payment option just in case.
Sapporo Classic draft beer and a tomato beer called Red Eye
I tried both Sapporo Classic draft beer and the tomato beer. I think it was called Red Eye, a mix of tomato juice and beer in a 1:1 ratio. It sounded unusual at first, but our guide recommended it, so I gave it a try.
It was actually better than I expected, though I still preferred the regular Sapporo Classic.
💙 With Blue Ice Cream at Blue Pond
Blue Pond… was I really still in Asia?
Blue Pond lived up to its name with its vivid blue water. It was absolutely beautiful and even reminded me of Plitvice Lakes in Croatia.
The strong sunshine made the color stand out clearly in photos. The trees rising from the water and the deep green forest in the background completed the perfect summer scene.
Blue soft-serve ice cream is practically a must here!
Its color matched Blue Pond perfectly, making it a great photo prop.
It looked like a dessert made mainly for pictures, but it actually tasted good too. Enjoying a blue-flavored ice cream while looking out over a blue lake felt surprisingly fitting.
💦 Comparing Seasons at Shirahige Falls
Shirahige Falls was the place where the contrast between summer and winter stood out the most.
Summer view of Shirahige Falls surrounded by green trees and mountains
In summer, the area around the falls was filled with greenery, and the blue water flowing below was easy to see.
In winter, snow piled up on the trees and cliffs, while icicles formed throughout the landscape, creating a much heavier atmosphere.
Winter Shirahige Falls covered in snow and icicles
After seeing both seasons in person, I couldn’t say one was better than the other. They felt like entirely different destinations. Which version do you prefer?
🌼 Stepping into the Vast Flower Fields of Shikisai-no-Oka
시키사이노오카 (Shikisai-no-Oka), also known as Hills of Seasonal Colors, is famous for its colorful flower fields spread across rolling hills. I’d heard it was as large as 21 football fields combined, and it really was so huge that it was difficult to take it all in at once.
Even though it was a weekday, there were a lot of visitors. It was genuinely difficult to take photos without people in the frame. Shikisai-no-Oka and Farm Tomita were the most crowded spots on the itinerary.
Still, the flower fields were so expansive that with the right angle, it was possible to capture some fantastic photos.
There wasn’t much shade here, and it felt surprisingly hot despite being in Sapporo. If you’re visiting in summer, I’d strongly recommend bringing a parasol, sunscreen, and plenty of water.
According to the official 2026 information, opening hours from June through September were 8:40 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
From July through September, the regular adult admission fee was 800 JPY. It wasn’t included in my tour. I paid 500 JPY in cash to the guide for my ticket, though I’m not sure whether a discount was applied.
Check your specific tour details to see whether admission is included.
💜 Falling for Farm Tomita’s Lavender Fields
July is one of the best times to see Furano lavender, and vast purple flower fields stretched out before us. Honestly, the lavender festival was one of the biggest reasons I came.
These were colors and landscapes I couldn’t have seen during my winter trip to Biei, so I felt glad I’d returned in summer.
It was already late July, which felt slightly past peak season, but there was still plenty of purple lavender left. The fragrance was wonderful too.
I also grabbed a lavender soft-serve ice cream at Farm Tomita and snapped a photo.
I expected it to be another dessert that looked better than it tasted, but it was genuinely delicious. I ended up eating two of them. I definitely hadn’t planned on buying three ice creams in a single day, but after walking around the lavender fields in the heat, I somehow found myself holding another lavender cone.
Furano melon from Farm Tomita
Summer in Hokkaido isn’t only about lavender. You can also enjoy seasonal treats like Furano melon and Yubari melon.
Being able to combine flower viewing with summer foods was probably the biggest difference from winter travel. Sapporo already has plenty to eat, but summer seemed to offer even more.
Farm Tomita officially has no admission fee. Opening hours can vary depending on the season, so if you’re visiting independently, it’s worth checking the official website beforehand.
☀️ Choosing Between Summer and Winter Biei
When people think of Sapporo, they often think of winter festivals. Winter Biei is perfect if you want to see Hokkaido’s iconic snowy scenery, including famous Christmas trees and snow-covered landscapes.
A Christmas tree photo I took myself!
The snow-covered Seven Stars Tree and Shirahige Falls also looked completely different compared to summer. Just keep in mind that temperatures can become cold enough to make standing outside for long periods difficult, so proper winter gear is essential.
Summer Biei, on the other hand, offered lavender, colorful flower fields, and lighter clothing. There was also the added fun of enjoying Furano melon and seasonal ice cream.
The downside is that July flower season, especially lavender season, can be affected by weather. We were lucky to have clear skies, but I heard it had rained every day for the entire week before our visit.
If you’re visiting only once, choose based on the scenery you most want to see.
If you’re dreaming of white snowfields and snow-covered trees, go in winter. If purple lavender and green fields are your priority, summer is the better choice.
💡 Who Should Come Here?
1. Travelers who want to see the major sights of Furano and Biei in one day without worrying about driving a rental car.
2. Visitors who’d like to enjoy Junpei comfortably while avoiding long waiting times.
3. Anyone who wants to enjoy and photograph the colorful scenery of summer Hokkaido, including lavender fields, flower gardens, and Blue Pond.
💬 Wrapping Up a Memorable Biei Bus Tour
The day was long, running from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., but I was satisfied because it allowed me to see the major attractions of Biei and Furano in a single trip from Sapporo.
Our guide shared helpful explanations throughout the journey, and the driver’s steady driving made the long transfers comfortable.
Junpei wasn’t quite as impressive as I remembered, and the meal cost extra, but being able to get in without waiting was still a major benefit.
Most of all, the lavender fields and soft-serve ice cream at Farm Tomita were memorable enough that I’d happily return.
It was a day that showed me a completely different side of Biei compared with winter, and I’d definitely consider visiting again.
📍 Tour Information at a Glance
Reservation platform: My Real Trip
Tour operator: Sapporo Base Camp
Product name: [Hokkaido Gourmet Tour] Furano & Biei Small-Group Bus Tour with No Waiting at Junpei
Price: 100,000 KRW per person, Junpei meal not included
Schedule: Depart Odori Park at 7 a.m. → Return to Susukino around 6 p.m.
Summer essentials: Water, sunscreen, hat or parasol, comfortable shoes
Winter essentials: Waterproof shoes, gloves, earmuffs, thick outerwear
🚶 Getting There for the Biei Bus Tour
After completing your reservation, check the meeting point information provided for Odori Park.
Since departure was at 7 a.m., it’s a good idea to check the travel time from your accommodation and any morning transportation options the day before.
The tour ended in Susukino. Arrival times can vary depending on traffic and crowd levels at attractions, so leave some extra time if you have evening plans afterward.
🔗 Exploring More Sapporo Summer Experiences
If you’re wondering how to spend a summer evening in Sapporo after finishing a Biei tour, you may also want to check out my review of the Sapporo Beer Festival at Odori Park.
