THE ROUTE
Staying in Asahikawa,
Let's go to the earliest fall.
On the first day, we take the train to Asahikawa, and on the second day, we take a rental car to Biei and Furano. After seeing the zoo on the third day, stay overnight at Asahidake Onsen, and walk through the autumn leaves at Sugatami Pond on the last day. The fatigue of driving long distances and carrying luggage every day on the day of arrival at the airport was simultaneously reduced.
3 NIGHTS · 4 DAYS
Schedule to follow
Directly from the airport to the heart of Hokkaido
- 01Arrival at New Chitose Airport · Move to domestic underground JR station
- 02Rapid Airport → Sapporo · Limited Express Kamui/Lilac transfer
- 03Arrive at JR Asahikawa Station in about 2 hours and 30 minutes including transfers.
- 04Check-in at a hotel near the station and rent a car starting the next morning.
- 0518:00 Santoka Asahikawa Main Branch · First dinner with salt ramen
- 06Take an early break after walking around Kaimonokoen
From the hills of Biei to the Forest of Furano
- 0108:00 Asahikawa Station rental car pickup · Approximately 40 minutes to Biei
- 0209:00 Patchwork Road observation point · No entry to farmland
- 0310:10 Shirogane Blue Pond → Whitebeard Falls
- 0411:50 Biei Junpei · Shrimp Tempura Rice Bowl Lunch
- 0513:30 Hill of Four Seasons · Autumn Flower Field 60–90 minutes · July – September Adult ¥800
- 0615:30 Ninguru Terrace · Forest workshop walk
- 0717:00 Furano Kumagera early evening → return to Asahikawa
See animals and go to hot springs in the mountains
- 0108:30 Check out · Load luggage into car and move
- 0209:30 Asahiyama Zoo entrance · Adult ¥1,000 · 3 hours intensive viewing
- 0313:00 Late lunch and stopover in Higashikawa city
- 0414:20 Move to Asahidake Onsen · Mountain road about 50 minutes
- 0515:20 Check-in at ryokan · Relax in open-air bath and lounge
- 06Dinner included in plan with two meals around 18:00
- 07At night, check the ropeway operation and weather for the next day.
The first autumn leaves to arrive in Japan
- 01Breakfast around 08:00, luggage left in vehicle after check-out
- 02Arrive at Ropeway Sanroku Station 30 minutes before the first operation of the season · Parking ¥500
- 03Ropeway approx. 10 minutes · Adult round trip ¥3,500 from June to October
- 04Sugatami Station Approximately 1,600m above sea level → Circular walk approximately 1.7km, 60–90 minutes
- 05Descend around 11:30 → Drive for about 70 minutes to Asahikawa Station
- 06Return the rental car → Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to New Chitose Airport by JR
- 07Train selection based on arrival at the airport 3 hours before international departure
EAT ALONG THE ROUTE
From ramen to ryokan dinner,
Four meals that don’t break your driving routine.
Operating hours and prices are confirmed as of September 2026. There are frequent seasonal openings and temporary closures, so please check the official page again before visiting. Asahidake accommodations have few outside dinner restaurants, so it is safe to choose a plan that includes two meals.
DAY 1 · Dinner
Ramen Santoka Asahikawa Main Branch
- movement line
- Approximately 5–7 minutes walk from JR Asahikawa Station
- menu
- Shio Ramen, Shoyu Ramen, Tokusen Toronicu
- budget
- Approximately ¥1,000–2,000 per person
- sales
- 11:00–22:00 · Last order 21:30 · Closed on Thursdays
This is a great first day meal to prepare even if your train is late at the airport. It may close early if the soup runs out, so we aimed to arrive before 20:30.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 2 · Lunch
Restaurant and Cafe Junpei
- movement line
- About 25 minutes from Blue Pond to downtown Biei. Parking for 10 cars.
- menu
- Shrimp Tempura Rice Bowl, Shrimp Tempura Set Meal, June Dog
- budget
- Approximately ¥1,300–2,000 per person
- sales
- Mainly 11:00–15:00 · Closed on Mondays · Subject to change
Since it closes at 3pm on many days, we decided to have lunch behind the blue pond. If the wait for a seat is long, pack your June Dog and head to Sagyechae Hill.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 2 · Early evening
Furano Kumagera
- movement line
- Approximately 10 minutes by car from Ninguru Terrace, 3 minutes on foot from JR Furano Station
- menu
- Furano Wagyu Roast Beef Rice Bowl, Omelet Curry, Cheese Tofu
- budget
- Approximately ¥2,000–4,000 per person
- sales
- 11:30–23:00 · Closed on Wednesdays · Subject to change
To save on the night drive back to Asahikawa, we scheduled a meal at 17:00. If you're traveling on a Wednesday, just switch to an alternative restaurant near Furano Marche for this meal.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 3 · Ryokan dinner
Hotel Bear Monte / Stella Monte
- movement line
- Approximately 3 minutes walk from Asahidake Ropeway · 1st floor of accommodation
- menu
- Japanese and Western buffet with Higashikawa rice and Kamikawa seasonal ingredients
- budget
- Accommodation plan with two meals recommended
- sales
- Dinner time is assigned upon check-in, last admission confirmed in advance
Asahidake Onsen has few outside restaurants to walk to at night. Don't just reserve a room; be sure to check whether dinner and breakfast are included.
Check the latest information ↗DAY 2 CORE
The blue pond
First thing in the morning.
From Asahikawa, we pass through the hills of Biei and see the Blue Pond and Whitebeard Waterfall first, then have lunch in downtown Biei. Since it was a one-way route connecting Sagyechae Hill and Furano to the south, the time spent repeating the same route was reduced.
Biei's field is not a tourist attraction, but actual farmland. Do not drive off-road into fields or park in agricultural vehicle ramps. Use only official parking lots and viewing areas.
EARLIEST AUTUMN
Autumn leaves are better than the city,
It comes first from the mountains.
The Asahidake Ropeway ascends to Sugatami Station, approximately 1,600 meters above sea level, in about 10 minutes. The 1.7km loop walk usually takes 60–90 minutes, but wet wooden decks, strong winds and first snow can increase this time. We brought light padding and waterproof shoes and summit climbing was not included in this itinerary.
WHERE TO STAY
Two ryokans,
Two cost-effective hotels
Recommendation Conclusion
For DAY 1-2, stay overnight at JR Inn, which is the most convenient, and for DAY 3, Bear Monte in front of the ropeway is optimal. If you want more of a city experience, switch to OMO7, or if you prefer a mountain lodge feel and hot springs, switch to La Vista. It is not an itinerary that moves to all four places, but a comparison in which you select one section from each section.
Asahidake Onsen Hotel Bear Monte
Approximately 3 minutes walk from the ropeway · The most convenient choice for DAY 3
- price
- 2 people per room approx. ¥45,000–85,000+ / 1 night
- breakfast
- Hokkaido Japanese/Western food buffet centered on ingredients, check plan included
- Dinner
- Plan with main dish and seasonal buffet and two meals recommended
- parking
- Outdoor parking for 85 cars · Free for hotel guests
- Advantages
- The location is best for accommodation the day before the Sugatami walk, the rooms and lounges are modern, and there is little travel loss.
- Cons
- The price is the highest among the four and dinner may not be available if you arrive late in the evening.
La Vista Daisetsuzan
Approximately 10 minutes walk to Asahidake Ropeway
- price
- 2 people per room approx. ¥30,000–65,000+ / 1 night
- breakfast
- Japanese and Western buffet included depending on reservation plan
- Dinner
- French course or Japanese kaiseki course · Varies by plan
- parking
- Outdoor parking · Free for hotel guests
- Advantages
- It's great to enjoy mountain cabin-style rooms, large public baths, open-air baths, and rental baths, and has a wider range of rates to choose from than Bear Monte.
- Cons
- There is an uphill walk to the ropeway, and the type of restaurant and dinner time vary depending on the reservation plan.
JR Inn Asahikawa
Directly connected to JR Asahikawa Station and Aeon Mall · DAY 1–2 consecutive nights recommended
- price
- 2 people per room approx. ¥11,000–26,000 / 1 night
- breakfast
- 06:30–10:00 Buffet · Adult ¥1,800
- Dinner
- No dinner · Use of the station, Aeon Mall, and Sanroku restaurants
- parking
- Aeon Mall parking lot · 24 hours ¥800
- Advantages
- It is easiest to access the airport train and rental car office, and large public baths, shopping, and meals are available in the building.
- Cons
- Low-price rooms are small and entering and exiting the Aeon Mall parking lot can be crowded on weekends.
OMO7 Asahikawa by Hoshino Resorts
North of Kaimono Koen, approximately 13 minutes walk from Asahikawa Station according to official standards.
- price
- 2 people per room approx. ¥12,000–32,000 / 1 night
- breakfast
- 06:00–10:00 Buffet · Adult ¥2,500
- Dinner
- No regular dinner · Use of cafes & bars and nearby restaurants
- parking
- Affiliated Times Parking Lot · 24 hours ¥1,000
- Advantages
- Modern rooms, sauna, zoo, local restaurant information program, and good access to Sanroku restaurants.
- Cons
- Since it is not directly connected to the station, it is convenient to take a taxi if you have large luggage or rain. For parking, you need to check additional conditions each time you leave the car.
Rate standards · Approximate range of 2 people per room per night, available as of September 2026. Prices vary greatly depending on fall foliage weekend, room class, half board included, and cancellation conditions. Especially for ryokans, be sure to check whether meals are included in the seemingly room price.
BUDGET GUIDE
Estimated cost per person
Accommodation is the cost per person per room for two people, and transportation is based on a round-trip JR ride between New Chitose and Asahikawa and 48-hour rental car, fuel, and parking for two people. Airline, highway tolls, and shopping are excluded. Rental car costs vary depending on the vehicle type and liability coverage.
GOOD
Advantages of this schedule
- Cover long distances by train rather than driving on arrival day
- Connecting Biei and Furano in a one-day course
- Because we sleep at the bottom of the mountain the day before Asahidake, we can respond to the first operation.
CHECK
Things to know
- The peak autumn foliage of Asahidake and Biei plains are not on the same day.
- There is a possibility of the first snow or freeze in the mountains from the end of September.
- For international flights on the last day, the schedule may need to be shortened unless the flight departs in the evening.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Please check again before departure.
New Chitose Airport · JR Asahikawa ↗JR Hokkaido · Kamui · Lilac Train ↗Biei Tourism Association · Tourism · Road Information ↗Furano Tourism Association · Seasonal operation information ↗Asahiyama Zoo · Operating hours ↗Asahidake Ropeway · Operation · Fee ↗Asahidake Visitor Center · Access and Safety ↗PHOTO CREDITS · Asahidake Main: YAMAP Public Climbing Record · Asahidake Autumn Foliage: Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway Official Gallery · Blue Pond: SUBARU Official Fan Community · Shichichae Hill: Japan Activity · Santoka: Vocus Travel Record · Junpei: Miil · Kumagera: Ameblo Travel Record · Bearmonte Restaurant: 茶渋のひざくりげ · Accommodation images are images provided by each hotel or accommodation introduction page.
English edition of our Korean guide. Times and prices retain the source review date; they are not live booking quotes. Check eligibility for visitor fares and plan international flights separately.