Ramen, canals and flower fields up north
This is leg 2 of 2, the final leg.
Travel leg · Hokkaido: Sapporo, Otaru & Furano
Otaru to Furano and Biei
Otaru and Furano and Biei sit about 123 km (77 mi) apart in a straight line, with Furano and Biei to the east. It is leg 2 of 2 on our Hokkaido: Sapporo, Otaru & Furano itinerary, a 7-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 123 km · 77 mi
- Est. road distance
- 148–173 km
- Est. drive time
- 1 h 30 min – 2 h 45 min
- Direction
- Heading east
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Hokkaido: Sapporo, Otaru & Furano itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 148–173 km (92–107 mi) of road and 1 h 30 min – 2 h 45 min behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
By train
Our Hokkaido: Sapporo, Otaru & Furano guide also mentions trains for parts of the trip. Whether a direct train links Otaru and Furano and Biei depends on the line — check timetables.
JR trains run Sapporo to Otaru in about 35 minutes and Sapporo to Furano or Asahikawa in about 1.5 to 2 hours. A rental car is the best way to explore Biei and Furano, where bus service is sparse.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Furano and Biei
Farm country of flower fields, rolling hills and volcanic ponds. Stay 2 days.
Farm Tomita
Famous lavender farm with striped flower beds and lavender soft serve.
Patchwork Road
Scenic farm roads past the Ken and Mary Tree and Seven Stars Tree.
Ningle Terrace
Log cabin craft shops on boardwalks in the forest at New Furano Prince Hotel.
Furano Cheese Factory
Dairy workshop with cheese tastings, ice cream and a pizza kitchen.
Furano Wine Factory
Municipal winery on a hill with free tastings of local wines.
Shikisai-no-Oka
Hillside flower park with rainbow bands of blooms from spring to autumn.
Before you leave Otaru
Old herring port of stone warehouses, glass shops and sushi. Stay 1–2 days.
On this curated route
Where Otaru → Furano and Biei sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Furano and Biei to Otaru is the same 123 km in a straight line, heading west. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
The biggest gap comes in November, when Furano and Biei averages highs 2°C cooler than Otaru. Over a year, Otaru gets about 180 mm more rain.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otaru high | -2° | -2° | 2° | 9° | 16° | 21° | 25° | 26° | 22° | 15° | 7° | 0° |
| Furano and Biei high | -4° | -3° | 1° | 8° | 16° | 21° | 25° | 25° | 21° | 13° | 5° | -2° |
| Otaru rain | 103 | 83 | 72 | 62 | 74 | 83 | 121 | 160 | 137 | 118 | 129 | 130 |
| Furano and Biei rain | 70 | 61 | 55 | 52 | 69 | 80 | 119 | 154 | 126 | 107 | 103 | 97 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Furano and Biei month guides.
Otaru to Furano and Biei: questions travelers ask
How far is Otaru from Furano and Biei?
Otaru is about 123 km (77 mi) from Furano and Biei in a straight line, with Furano and Biei to the east. By road, we estimate 148–173 km (92–107 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Otaru to Furano and Biei?
An estimated 1 h 30 min – 2 h 45 min, assuming 148–173 km of road at average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Otaru to Furano and Biei?
Our Hokkaido: Sapporo, Otaru & Furano itinerary includes this leg. Hokkaido: Sapporo, Otaru & Furano runs about 7 days across 3 stops, best in Jul – Aug, Jan – Feb.
Getting to Otaru
- Sapporo to Otaru 33 km
Guides for both ends
- Otaru travel guide
- Otaru weather best time to visit
- Furano and Biei travel guide
- Furano and Biei weather best time to visit
Furano and Biei by month
- Furano and Biei in January
- Furano and Biei in February
- Furano and Biei in March
- Furano and Biei in April
- Furano and Biei in May
- Furano and Biei in June
- Furano and Biei in July
- Furano and Biei in August
- Furano and Biei in September
- Furano and Biei in October
- Furano and Biei in November
- Furano and Biei in December
Plan Otaru → Furano and Biei with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.