Daisetsuzan & Biei-Furano Flower Fields
In via Asahikawa and out via New Chitose, taking two ropeways up Daisetsuzan before exploring the Biei hills and Furano flower fields.
A short summer self-drive route that combines high mountains and flower fields into one trip. Spend one night each at Sounkyo Gorge and Asahidake Onsen, then spend two days exploring the Patchwork Road, Blue Pond, and Farm Tomita. Accommodation is tight during the July blooming season, so book early. Omitting Sapporo and Otaru, this is perfect for those with limited vacation time who want to focus on scenery.
Lavender is best from mid-July to early August; autumn foliage in Daisetsuzan peaks around mid-to-late September.
Day by day
Day 1 · Asahiyama Zoo to Sounkyo Gorge
Asahikawa（Asahiyama Zoo） → Daisetsuzan & Sounkyo（Ginga & Ryusei Falls、Sounkyo Onsen & Ice Fall Festival）
Pick up your rental car at the airport and drive to the zoo (approx. 30 minutes), then take the highway to Sounkyo Gorge in the afternoon (approx. 1 hour).
Stay: Sounkyo Onsen
Day 2 · Kurodake Ropeway to Asahidake
Daisetsuzan & Sounkyo（Daisetsuzan Sounkyo Kurodake Ropeway、Daisetsu Mori no Garden、Tenninkyo Gorge & Hagoromo Falls）
Take the Kurodake Ropeway in the morning, visit Daisetsu Mori-no-Garden at noon, and drive to Asahidake Onsen in the afternoon (approx. 2 hours drive in total).
Stay: Asahidake Onsen
Day 3 · Sugatami Pond to Patchwork Road
Daisetsuzan & Sounkyo（Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway & Sugatami Pond、Higashikawa Town） → Biei & Furano（Hokusei no Oka Observation Park、Ken and Mary Tree、Seven Stars Tree、Shinei no Oka Observation Park）
Take the Asahidake Ropeway in the morning, drive down through Higashikawa to Biei (approx. 1 hour), and explore the hilly roads in the afternoon.
The hills are mostly private farmland; do not enter the fields to take photos.
Stay: Biei Town
Day 4 · Blue Pond & Flower Fields to Furano
Biei & Furano（Shikisai no Oka、Shirogane Blue Pond、Shirahige Falls、Farm Tomita、Ningle Terrace）
Drive from Biei via Shikisai-no-Oka to the Blue Pond (approx. 30 minutes), then head south to Farm Tomita and Furano (approx. 1 hour).
Stay: Around Furano Station
Day 5 · Half Day in Furano & Return to New Chitose
Biei & Furano（Furano Cheese Factory、Furano Marche）
Drive from Furano to New Chitose Airport (approx. 2.5 hours), departing after midday to allow plenty of time for car return.