Asahikawa Airport to Furano/Biei: Transport Options Compared
Asahikawa Airport is the real gateway to Furano and Biei — much closer than New Chitose. But once you land, you have three real options to get there, and the right one depends on whether you’re comfortable driving in Hokkaido winter conditions. Having lived in both Biei and Furano ourselves, here’s the honest breakdown.
Quick Comparison
| Rental Car | Kaisoku Lavender Go (Bus) | JR Train | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Roughly 45–80 min depending on road/weather conditions | About 1 hour, direct | Longer — requires a transfer via Asahikawa Station |
| Cost | Rental + fuel | ¥790 one-way (Airport → Furano Station) | Bus/taxi to Asahikawa Station + train fare |
| Flexibility | Highest — stop anywhere, own schedule | Fixed schedule, 7 departures/day | Fixed schedule, more connections needed |
| Best for | Families, photographers, anyone wanting to stop at viewpoints along the way | Solo/couple travelers without a car, simple point-to-point trip | Travelers who enjoy trains and don’t mind the extra transfer |
Option 1: Rental Car
This is what we’d recommend for most visitors, and it’s what we used ourselves when living in the area — Biei especially is full of scenic pull-offs and small roads that only make sense with your own car. The direct route covers roughly 45km. Note that in winter, road conditions can add real time and require confidence with snow/ice driving — if you’re not used to winter driving, factor that in before booking.
Option 2: Kaisoku Lavender Go (Direct Bus)
The most straightforward no-car option. This bus runs directly from Asahikawa Airport to Furano Station, passing through Naka-Furano and Biei along the way — about 1 hour, ¥790 one-way, with 7 departures a day (as of the October 2025 schedule revision — always double-check the current timetable before you travel, since bus schedules here do change seasonally).
Option 3: JR Train
Requires getting from the airport to Asahikawa Station first (by bus or taxi), then taking the JR Furano Line toward Biei/Furano. This takes longer overall than the direct bus, but it’s a genuinely scenic ride and a good option if you’re combining this trip with more time in Asahikawa city itself.
Our Recommendation
- Traveling with family, luggage, or planning to stop at viewpoints in Biei → rent a car
- Solo or couple, going straight to Furano, no interest in driving → Kaisoku Lavender Go bus
- Splitting time between Asahikawa city and Furano/Biei → JR train works naturally into that itinerary