Biei, Furano Lavender, Ningle Terrace & Melon Buffet Bus Tour

The unusual part of this winter outing is its mix of Hokkaido scenery and a stop at Farm Tomita, where lavender may still be growing inside a greenhouse even when snow covers the fields outside. You leave Sapporo by bus and spend the day moving between Biei and Furano, returning around 7 pm.

I like two things here: the tour connects several out-of-the-way stops without making you plan a series of bus transfers, and the roughly half-hour visits at Farm Tomita and Furano Winery leave time to look around without turning the day into a sprint. The winter Biei pork lunch is another useful option if you would rather not hunt for food between stops.

One important caveat: the winter W3 packages do not include the advertised melon buffet or Ningle Terrace. Those belong to other seasonal tour offerings, so check the package and date carefully before booking. Winter weather and road conditions can also change the schedule.

The details that matter before you book

• Winter has its own route: The W3 tour runs from December 1 to March 31 and visits Biei and Furano stops, not the summer lavender-and-melon itinerary.
• Farm Tomita changes with the season: In winter, the tour description points to greenhouse lavender, not the broad summer flower displays.
• Choose lunch with care: The W3-2 option includes Biei pork and seasonal vegetables. With W3-1, you may buy bread at Ferme La Terre Biei, but you cannot use the restaurant or indoor dining seats.
• The day is long: Departure is at 9 am, with a scheduled return at 7 pm. Much of the day is spent on the road between stops.
• Expect brief visits: Most stops last 15 to 30 minutes, while Ferme La Terre Biei gets one hour.
• The summer feedback is encouraging, but not winter-specific: Summer departures have been praised for comfortable transport, punctuality, considerate timing, and a friendly guide named Tom. Your winter guide may be someone else.

A winter day trip, not a summer melon tour

The tour’s name can lead you to picture purple summer fields, a melon buffet, and a stop at Ningle Terrace. Those are not the right expectations for the W3-1 and W3-2 winter packages. Their stated season is December 1 through March 31, and their route is a winter day trip through Biei and Furano.

That distinction matters for both the scenery and the food. Farm Tomita’s winter appeal is the chance to see lavender in a greenhouse, while the included W3-2 meal is Biei pork with seasonal vegetables. The information provided for these packages does not promise a melon buffet.

Ningle Terrace is mentioned in the tour’s general notes because entry restrictions can affect some tour itineraries. But it does not appear among the stops on the winter W3 schedule described here. If Ningle Terrace is a must for you, confirm that your chosen date and package include it before you pay.

Leaving Sapporo at 9 am

The bus meets at the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Sapporo. Look for the HIS logo in the hotel’s ground-floor lobby, and arrive 15 minutes before departure. The tour returns to the Sapporo Station North Exit group bus drop-off area at about 7 pm.

That makes this a substantial day out. The route includes a 45-minute bus ride, a short rest stop at Sunagawa Service Area, and a longer drive to Biei. Later stretches include rides of up to an hour and 45 minutes. A bus makes these scattered stops far simpler than arranging separate transport, but the time in transit is part of the deal.

There is no restroom on the bus. Use the service area stop, and take care not to drink so little that the day becomes uncomfortable. The tour asks passengers to keep conversation quiet, which helps on a long ride. Suitcases are allowed, though oversized items may be refused, and the operator is not responsible for lost luggage.

An English-, Chinese-, or Japanese-speaking guide is included. The summer S1 trips have had a guide named Tom, but that does not guarantee he will lead a winter departure. Summer participants also praised the bus comfort, punctual departures and returns, and a pace that left room to see each stop. Those are useful signs, though they are not a promise about the guide or conditions on your date.

Ferme La Terre Biei: lunch or a careful plan

The first main stop is Ferme La Terre Biei, scheduled for an hour. You can choose the W3-2 lunch package, which includes Biei pork and seasonal vegetables, or the less expensive W3-1 option without lunch.

If you choose W3-1, you may be able to buy bread at your own expense. Availability is not guaranteed, and without the lunch package you cannot use the indoor dining seats or restaurant facilities. That makes the no-lunch option less flexible than it may sound, especially on a cold day. Bring a snack or be ready to eat outdoors if the bread is sold out.

The included meal is the practical choice if you want a planned lunch and a warm place to sit. Book it at least seven days before departure; seats are limited. Vegetarian, vegan, or allergy-friendly meals cost an extra ¥2,200 per person. The operator does not take responsibility for food allergies, so check ingredients and decide what is safe for you.

Biei Shrine and a photo stop with rules

After lunch, the bus makes a short visit to Biei Shrine, with 20 minutes to look around. It is followed by Christmas Tree No Ki, another brief stop, scheduled for 20 minutes. The tree is viewed from a paved public road, not from the surrounding fields.

The rule at Christmas Tree No Ki is clear: do not enter farm fields or private property. Keep to the public road for photos. This protects working land and keeps the visit respectful, even if the best camera angle seems to be a few steps farther in.

Bibaushi Station comes next, with 15 minutes to look around. Do not walk onto the train tracks, and do not pass through the ticket gate unless you are boarding a train. These stops are quick, so keep an eye on the time and listen for the guide’s instructions.

Farm Tomita in the cold months

Farm Tomita is scheduled for 30 minutes. In summer, the farm is known for its flower displays; the winter tour offers a different, more limited view. Lavender may be flowering inside a cozy greenhouse, according to the winter tour description. Don’t expect a summer field in bloom when you visit in midwinter.

The stop is worthwhile if you like seeing how a well-known flower farm adapts to the season. It is less compelling if you are booking mainly for sweeping purple fields or the melon buffet. Those are summer expectations, and the W3 winter package does not list a buffet.

Flower and snowfall timing can shift with temperatures, so the seasonal scene may differ from what you imagine. Treat the greenhouse as a seasonal possibility rather than a guarantee of a particular display.

Furano Winery, then the long ride back

Furano Winery gets 30 minutes for a self-guided visit. It adds a local food-and-drink stop to a day otherwise focused on scenery and small town sights. The schedule does not specify a tasting or purchase allowance, so don’t count on one as part of the package.

The return journey includes a 15-minute stop at Iwamizawa Park, then a final bus ride to Sapporo. Timing can shift with traffic and weather, and the tour may adjust the route to suit road conditions. The scheduled 7 pm arrival is a guide, not a firm appointment for a dinner reservation or onward connection.

If a facility closes after the tour begins, no refund is offered for that closure. The operator may cancel the whole tour in extreme weather, in which case you can request a refund or reschedule, subject to availability. But if only some activities are cancelled because of severe conditions, a refund is not guaranteed.

Is the price good value?

The no-lunch winter package starts at US$63.09; the lunch version starts at US$90.80. That difference is US$27.71, so compare the meal’s convenience with what you are comfortable bringing or buying yourself. Remember that the no-lunch option does not provide access to the restaurant or indoor dining seats at Ferme La Terre Biei.

The value is mainly in the transport and the number of stops. Reaching Biei and Furano from Sapporo independently would take planning, and winter roads make a single organized bus trip especially practical. You pay for a full day of transport, a multilingual guide, and insurance from the operator, not for a string of lengthy guided visits.

The trade-off is that each stop is short, and the day includes plenty of bus time. This suits you if you want a convenient overview and a few photo stops. If you prefer to linger, shop at length, or set your own pace, a fixed group schedule may feel restrictive.

Who should choose this tour?

I’d consider it if you are staying in Sapporo and want to see several Biei and Furano sights in one winter day without arranging transport yourself. It also makes sense if you are comfortable with a long bus ride and brief stops, and you are happy to treat winter Farm Tomita as a greenhouse visit rather than a summer flower-field experience.

Families should note that infants and children count toward the passenger headcount. Children aged 0 to 3 ride free only if they do not need their own seat. Children aged 0 to 11 must travel with a paying adult, and those aged 12 or older pay the adult rate. The activity is not recommended for pregnant women, and warm clothing is advised.

This is not the right pick if your main goals are Ningle Terrace, a summer lavender field, or all-you-can-eat Yubari melon. Check the exact package name and dates: the W3 winter choices are without lunch or with Biei pork and seasonal vegetables. If those winter stops suit you, the tour offers a straightforward way to cover a lot of ground from Sapporo.

FAQ

Does the winter tour include an all-you-can-eat melon buffet?

No melon buffet is listed for the W3-1 or W3-2 winter packages. The winter package information describes a Biei pork and seasonal vegetable lunch as the included meal option.

Does the W3 winter route visit Ningle Terrace?

Ningle Terrace is not among the stops on the W3 winter schedule described here. The tour information notes that entry restrictions can affect some itineraries, so confirm the route for your chosen package and date if you want to visit.

What are the winter package options?

W3-1 runs from December 1 to March 31 without lunch, starting at US$63.09. W3-2 runs during the same date range with a Biei pork and seasonal vegetable lunch, starting at US$90.80.

Where does the bus depart from?

Meet at the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Sapporo. Look for the HIS logo in the ground-floor lobby and arrive 15 minutes before the 9 am departure.

Where does the bus return?

The scheduled return is at 7 pm at the Sapporo Station North Exit group bus drop-off area.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included only with W3-2. On W3-1, you may buy bread at Ferme La Terre Biei if it is available, but you cannot use the restaurant or indoor dining seats.

Can I request a vegetarian or allergy-friendly meal?

An allergy-friendly or vegetarian, including vegan, meal can be requested for an extra ¥2,200 per person. The operator does not assume responsibility for food allergies, so check whether the meal is suitable for you.

Is there a restroom on the bus?

No. The tour makes a 10-minute stop at Sunagawa Service Area, so plan to use the facilities there.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children aged 0 to 3 travel free if they do not occupy a separate seat. Children aged 0 to 11 must be accompanied by a paying adult, and children aged 12 or older pay the adult rate.

What happens if weather or road conditions change the schedule?

The itinerary may be adjusted because of weather or road conditions. The operator may cancel the whole tour in extreme weather, with the option to request a refund or reschedule subject to availability. No refund is offered if a facility closes after the tour has begun.