For more information on transportation in the Furano area and basic information on tourism in general, please see the FAQ below:

https://www.furanotourism.com/en/static/faq.php

Thank you DLink_hk, for some cycling routes in Bieie, is it possible to pass through that route by car?

Or the car is too big to fit into the small road? I am travelling in a group where none of us want to cycle. So I am thinking either go by car or go by three wheel bicycle if it's available in Furano

There is no cycling route in Biei. In the Panorama Road area farms are spread out around unpaved and undulating roads.

As mentioned in #1 cars are highly recommended. Though drive slower esp when crossing multiple junctions when slower moving farming vehicles might be blocked by vegetation.

Apart from Biei/Furano, consider visiting Sounkyo when peak koyo (fall foliage) usually reaches the bottom of the valley in the 1st week of Oct.

My last visit in late Sept 2019 prior to covid.

https://japantravelinsights.com/jp-2019-sep-koyo-daisetsuzan/

Thank you so much DLi_hk! I really appreciate it!

My plan is to Visit Sounkyo 2 days, Biei and Furano 4 days. Sapporo 4 days. Will it be too rushed?

I will be using private charter with a driver and will be holidaying for 14 days.

Can I recommendation of what other places to visit as well? I am looking for picturesque scenery and looking not to change hotel more than 3x in this trip.

I'm eyeing for:

Jozankei Onsen

Lake Toya

Onuma Quasi Park

But I can't choose between this three!

my vote goes to Toya-ko, with daily fireworks after dinner till end Oct. It's one of my fav spots for o/n. have visited/stayed in all 3 locations.

refer to one of my stays in mid-Oct 2008.

https://japantravelinsights.com/jp-2008-oct-hokkaido-part-1/

When is your travel timeline ?

>>I will be using private charter with a driver

ensure that the driver has proper local taxi license etc for safety/security.

Sorry for very late reply. I am aiming for peak season in Sounkyo/Bieie/Furano.

My plan is to travel in mid autumn. After 15 oct.

So far the plan is:

Day1: Arrive at Asahikawa airport > Furano (Stay in Furano)

Day2: Furano (Stay in Furano)

Day3: Furano (Stay in Furano)

Day4: Bieie (Stay in Furano)

D5:Biei (Stay in Furano)

D6: 2 hours drive to Sounkyo (Stay in Sounkyo)

D7: Sounkyo (Stay in Sounkyo)

D8: Sounkyo (Stay in Sounkyo)

D9: 2 hours drive to Jozankei (Stay in Sapporo)

D10: Sapporo (Stay in Sapporo)

D11: Sapporo >Otaru (Stay in Sapporo)

D12: Sapporo (Stay in Sapporo)

I want to minimize changing hotels multiple times. What do you think?

Is it worth it to stay in Jozankei for 3 nights? Or 2 nights in enough? I want to travel at leisurely pace, explore the city till we see all the scenic places before moving to another city.

Should I skip Jozankei day trip and replace it with Toyako day trip?

I am not planning to hike nor take the cruise in this trip.

No worries.

If your timeline is flexible, better arrive around 10th Oct. For peak koyo consider this sequence on high level - Sounkyo > Biei/Furano > Sapporo - visit Hoheikyo dam as a day trip on weekdays

Toya-ko - some large onsen hotels/ryokans offer free shuttle service from Sapporo station to staying customers.

Consider highway buses serving Sounkyo from Asahikawa direct in abt 2 hours, similarly b/w Sapporo and Furano station direct.

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6777.html

refer to link below on daily diaries posted by Sounkyo park rangers in Oct 2023. Peak koyo was roughly 1 week later than yearly averages.

https://sounkyovc.net/blog/date/2023/10/page/2

Thank you! I will be chartering car for my whole trip. May I know if its worth it to visit Sounkyo for 3 nights? Or 2 nights is enough?

Should I skip Jozankei day trip for Toyako day trip?

I am thinking of Jozankei day trip because it took 2 hours from Furano to Jozankei but it takes 3 hours from Furano to Toyako by car.

Given no hiking, consider visiting Sounkyo as a day trip from Biei/Furano - by car in about 2 hours. The pillar rocks, waterfalls and koyo spots can be done within 2 hours.

From Sapporo, visit Otaru as a day trip and drop by Jozankei onsen upon return. If interested, consider also driving further along the way to the Shakotan Peninsula for its coastal scenery rather than koyo.

Toya-ko is worthy for at least o/n when daily fireworks is held after dinner till end Oct. From mid-Oct, consider also dropping by Shikotsu-ko, Noboribetsu for peak koyo prior to departing from Hokkaido.

One of my koyo visits to those in mid-Oct 2013 by car.

https://japantravelinsights.com/2013-hokkaido/