The Furano-Biei Norokko Has Retired — What Runs in Summer 2027

After 28 years, the Furano-Biei Norokko made its last run on 23 September 2026. If you are planning Furano for summer 2027, here is the answer: from early June 2027 the Asahikawa–Furano stretch is taken over by JR Hokkaido's new sightseeing train, the Aoi Hoshi Oka no Irodori — two round trips a day, ticket required, on sale from early May 2027. This guide separates what has been announced from what has not, then covers the other ways to reach Furano from Sapporo and Asahikawa.

Is the Aoi Hoshi worth planning around in 2027?

Yes if you want a scenic train ride through the hills — but you cannot book it until May 2027. If you just need to get from A to B, the local train and buses cover it.

A good fit if

You are staying a night in Asahikawa or Furano between June and September 2027 and can give half a day to a 90-minute ride
You want a seat and big windows on the Biei–Furano hills without driving
Your dates are fixed early enough to buy at a station a month ahead

You can skip it if

You only need to travel: the Furano Line local runs the same tracks with no reservation
You are day-tripping from Sapporo on a tight schedule: the direct express or bus is easier
You want the Norokko's open-window wooden carriages: JR describes large-window observation areas, not opening windows

The Aoi Hoshi Oka no Irodori: announced and not yet announced

Frequency, season and how to buy are announced; timetable, stops and final fare are not.

Train	Aoi Hoshi Oka no Irodori (Nos. 1–4)
Season	Early June to late September 2027
Route	Asahikawa–Furano, two round trips a day
Timetable	Not yet announced, expected spring 2027 (JR's 2025 sketch showed one morning and one afternoon departure from Asahikawa, about 1 hr 20–30 min each way)
Stops	Not yet announced, expected spring 2027
Fare	About ¥5,000 one way Asahikawa–Furano (planned); final fare to be announced
JR Pass	Not yet announced, expected spring 2027
How to buy	Train tickets only, no packages; JR ticket offices (Midori-no-Madoguchi) and reserved-seat machines nationwide
On sale	From early May 2027, one month before each operating day
Carriages	Converted KiHa 143 local cars, four-seat bays, a large-window observation area in each car
Official site	JR Hokkaido sightseeing trains (Japanese)

The big difference from the Norokko is timing: you cannot buy this train when you book flights in spring. Book flights and beds first, then buy the train ticket at a station once sales open; if the timetable does not fit, the local train and buses below are the fallback.

Inside a retired Norokko carriage: facing wooden benches and wooden tables, with windows fully open behind horizontal safety bars and a local train on the next track — A Norokko carriage in 2023: wooden benches and windows that open fully. The train made its last run on 23 September 2026 and can no longer be ridden; for the 2027 Aoi Hoshi, JR describes four-person box seats and large-window observation areas, not opening windows. Photo: LR0725 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

How do I get from Sapporo to Furano in lavender season 2027?

Four ways: the direct express is fastest, the highway bus is simplest. All times and fares below are JR's and the bus operator's 2026 figures; 2027 has not been published.

Option	Time	Fare (2026)	Seat reservation?
Summer direct express Furano Lavender Express (Sapporo 7:41 → Furano 9:44; Furano 16:53 → Sapporo 18:52, one round trip a day)	About 2 hr	¥5,440	Yes, all reserved
Limited express Lilac / Kamui to Asahikawa, then Furano Line local	About 3 hr incl. transfer	Express ¥5,440 + local ¥1,380	Express yes, local no
Limited express to Takikawa, then Nemuro Line local	1 hr 55 min – 2 hr 44 min	¥4,760	Express yes
Highway bus Kosoku Furano (Sapporo Station → Furano Station, 7 a day)	About 2 hr 55 min	¥2,700	No

In 2026 the direct express ran every weekend in June, daily in July, daily 1–11 August and other August weekends, and 5, 6, 12, 13 and 19–23 September. It is a different train from the Norokko: both ran in 2026, and the express takes the Sapporo–Takikawa line, not the Asahikawa–Biei hills. With big luggage, the bus is easier — bags go underneath, no transfers.

Route diagram of four ways from Sapporo to Furano: 1) Furano Lavender Express, summer direct train via Takikawa, not Asahikawa or Biei, about 2 hours, 2027 dates not announced; 2) Lilac or Kamui limited express to Asahikawa, then the Furano Line local via Biei, about 3 hours including the transfer; 3) limited express to Takikawa, then the Nemuro Line local, 1 hr 55 min to 2 hr 44 min; 4) Kosoku Furano highway bus straight from Sapporo, about 2 hr 55 min, no transfer. From early June 2027 the Aoi Hoshi sightseeing train runs Asahikawa–Furano, ticket required, stops to be announced. Times are 2026 official figures — Route diagram; station positions are not to scale. Open in Google Maps (public transport from Sapporo Station to Furano Station). Map by ブロ猫の旅

If your trip also covers Otaru or Asahikawa, the foreign-visitor Sapporo-Furano Area Pass, 4 days for ¥11,000 (advance purchase), covers limited express, rapid and local trains in this area, reserved and non-reserved; KKday sells it as an e-ticket. Whether it pays off depends on how many legs you ride — the math is in our JR Hokkaido Rail Pass breakdown.

What about Asahikawa to Biei and Furano?

Take the JR Furano Line local — no reservation needed. Asahikawa–Biei ¥680, Biei–Furano ¥800, Asahikawa–Furano ¥1,380; Asahikawa to Furano takes about 1 hour 10–15 minutes with no change. Daytime trains run roughly hourly and some terminate at Biei, so check JR Hokkaido's timetable first.

An H100 local train on the Furano Line, silver body with yellow and green panels on the front, destination display reading Local Furano, running past summer fields — A Furano Line local (August 2024; the car type is the H100), its front display reading "Local FURANO". No reservation needed — just board and find a seat. Photo: MaedaAkihiko / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons

From Asahikawa Airport straight to Furano, the Lavender route bus runs seven times a day, no reservation. If you stay in Asahikawa the night before, the zoo fits into the morning — see our Asahiyama Zoo guide.

The station name board of JR Lavender-Farm temporary station hung on a metal railing at the platform entrance, reading Lavender-Farm F41, toward Biei and Asahikawa on the left and Furano on the right, with green fields and distant mountains behind — Lavender-Batake (Lavender-Farm) in Nakafurano is a summer-only temporary stop (August 2024), with a platform and shelter built from scaffolding pipes. In 2026 only the Norokko and some local trains called there; whether it opens in 2027, and which trains stop, has not been announced. Photo: MaedaAkihiko / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons

A white Furano Bus route bus outside Asahikawa Station, painted with red and yellow flowers and the word LAVENDER, its destination display reading via Furano Station to Shin-Furano Prince Hotel — Furano Bus's Lavender route (photographed outside Asahikawa Station in 2011; the vehicles and livery may have changed since). This is the line from Asahikawa Airport straight to Furano: white with flowers and "LAVENDER" on the side. This bus's display reads "富良野駅経由新富良野プリンスホテル" (via Furano Station); check for "富良野駅" before boarding. Photo: 221.20 / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

No train — is there a day-tour bus?

Yes: local sightseeing loop buses, plus day tours from Sapporo. The local buses below are 2026 figures; 2027 has not been published.

Furano Bus sightseeing loops: Furano course (Furano Station 12:00, adult ¥5,000), Biei course (Furano Station 10:15, adult ¥9,000, includes Shikisai-no-Oka admission), Asahikawa course (Asahikawa Station 9:50, adult ¥9,000).
Biei's Biyu Bus: departs from the Shiki-no-Joho-kan next to Biei Station, two a day, adults from ¥5,000+.
Dohoku Bus, Biei Station ⇔ Blue Pond and Shirogane Onsen: a regular route bus with a day pass at ¥2,000 — the cheapest way to the Blue Pond.

The bus area outside Furano Station in summer: a covered waiting walkway, a white coach beside a blue bus-stop sign, and on the right a red-brick building signed Furano Bus terminal and travel center — The bus area outside Furano Station (June 2022). The red-brick building on the right is Furano Bus's office, signed "バスターミナル旅行センター"; the photo does not show which stop the sightseeing buses use, so ask inside. Photo: MaedaAkihiko / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

JR Biei Station plaza on an overcast day: the stone station building on the left, two white spired buildings ahead, and the Shiki-no-Joho-kan with a blue i sign at the back right — Walking out of Biei Station (July 2023): the station building is on the left, and the building with the blue "i" sign at the back right is the Shiki-no-Joho-kan, where the Biyu Bus departs. Photo: LR0725 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Biei Shirogane Blue Pond, turquoise water with dead trees — Biei's Blue Pond, reachable on the Dohoku bus from Biei Station. Photo: MaedaAkihiko / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Which option fits where you start

If you are day-tripping from Sapporo

On days the direct express runs, take it: Furano before 10 a.m., back on the 16:53. On other days the bus takes nearly three hours each way, leaving time for one or two stops. The Aoi Hoshi starts from Asahikawa, 90 minutes from Sapporo, so it is a squeeze on a day trip.

A red, white and grey Hokkaido Chuo Bus highway coach marked CHUO BUS, parked under green trees in central Sapporo with the red roof of the Sapporo Clock Tower behind — A Hokkaido Chuo Bus coach of the kind used on the Kosoku Furano highway bus (central Sapporo, 2010, Clock Tower behind; passengers' faces were blurred by the uploader). Look for the red-white-grey body with "CHUO BUS" on the side; current vehicles may differ. Photo: 221.20 / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

If you are staying in Asahikawa

This is the easiest base for the Aoi Hoshi: ride it to Furano and come back on the Furano Line local, so you only buy the sightseeing train once. Book the Asahikawa night before the timetable comes out.

If you are booking flights in spring 2027

Book flights and beds, keep transport flexible. The Aoi Hoshi goes on sale in early May, and each day only one month ahead; if you miss it, the local train runs the same route.

How do I buy an Aoi Hoshi ticket?

STEP 01: Wait for the timetable and fare

Not yet announced, expected spring 2027 — watch the official sightseeing-train page.

STEP 02: Buy at a station one month ahead

Sales open in early May 2027 at JR ticket offices and reserved-seat machines. If you are not in Japan yet, buy at the first major JR station after you land.

The ticket office at JR Asahikawa Station: counters numbered 1 to 3 under a sign reading Midori no Madoguchi, Ticket Counter, with blue rope barriers marking the queue — The ticket office at Asahikawa Station (2021). In any JR station, look for the green sign with a white seat icon and the words "みどりの窓口". Photo: MaedaAkihiko / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

STEP 03: Sold out? Take the local

The Furano Line local covers the same Asahikawa–Furano stretch with no reservation.

Easy mistakes on a first visit

⚠️ ① Treating the Furano Lavender Express as the Norokko's successor. It ran alongside the Norokko in 2026 on the Sapporo–Takikawa line; the train taking over Asahikawa–Furano is the Aoi Hoshi.

The purple-fronted Furano Lavender Express (KiHa 261-5000 series) crossing the Sorachi River on a red girder bridge, with Furano town and green hills behind — The purple train is the Furano Lavender Express (June 2022), crossing the Sorachi River on the Nemuro Main Line just before Furano. It comes from Sapporo via Takikawa, does not run through the Asahikawa–Biei hills, and is not the Norokko's successor. Photo: MaedaAkihiko / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons

⚠️ ② Expecting to board a limited express and pay on board. JR Hokkaido's Lilac, Kamui and Furano Lavender Express are all reserved, with no non-reserved cars; Pass holders must reserve too.

⚠️ ③ Trying to book the Aoi Hoshi in spring. Sales open in early May 2027, at stations only.

⚠️ ④ Expecting opening windows. JR describes large-window observation areas, not opening windows.

Biei's hills in summer: rolling green fields with a band of harvested gold wheat, rows of trees and a slim white tower in the distance, and a line of sunflowers in the foreground — Biei's hills (August 2006). The Furano Line between Asahikawa and Furano runs through the Biei area, and the local and the 2027 Aoi Hoshi use the same line. Photo: taku-k / CC BY 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

How I would plan it

From Sapporo, on a day the direct express runs (2026 times):

07:41 Furano Lavender Express from Sapporo
09:44 Arrive Furano
10:15 Furano Bus Biei course from Furano Station through the Biei hills and Shikisai-no-Oka (confirm the return time to Furano Station with Furano Bus before boarding)
Afternoon: lunch and a break around Furano Station
16:53 Express back to Sapporo, arriving 18:52

The purple Furano Lavender Express waiting at a Sapporo Station platform, its train name on the front display and a departure board at top right reading 7:41 FURANO — The Furano Lavender Express waiting at Sapporo Station (July 2025). The departure board at top right reads "7:41 FURANO" — the train above. All seats are reserved, so book a seat before boarding. Photo: 掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

To ride the Aoi Hoshi, stay in Asahikawa the night before — Asahikawa stays on Booking.com — or base yourself in Furano: Furano stays on Booking.com. The listing opens on today's date, so change it to yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1：Is the Norokko train still running?: No. The Furano-Biei Norokko made its last run on 23 September 2026, and JR Hokkaido describes it as the end of operation, not a suspension. From 2027 the same Asahikawa–Furano stretch is served by a new sightseeing train, the Aoi Hoshi Oka no Irodori.
Q2：How much does the Aoi Hoshi train cost?: About ¥5,000 one way between Asahikawa and Furano. That is JR Hokkaido's planned price; the final fare has not been announced. Only train tickets are sold, no packages.
Q3：When do Aoi Hoshi tickets go on sale?: From early May 2027, one month before each operating day, at JR ticket offices (Midori-no-Madoguchi) and reserved-seat machines nationwide. You need a ticket to board.
Q4：Can I ride the Aoi Hoshi with a JR Hokkaido Rail Pass?: Not yet announced; JR Hokkaido is expected to publish the details in spring 2027. Whether a seat fee applies on top of the Pass is also still unannounced.
Q5：What is the fastest way from Sapporo to Furano?: The summer Furano Lavender Express runs direct in about 2 hours; in 2026 the one-way fare was ¥5,440, all seats reserved. Its 2027 dates are not out yet. On other days, change at Asahikawa or Takikawa for a 2–3 hour trip.
Q6：Has the Kushiro Marsh Norokko ended too?: Yes. Regular service ended on 4 October 2026, with two final runs on 9 and 10 October. From late April to mid-July 2027 a different train, the Aka Hoshi, runs Kushiro–Shiretoko-Shari on another line.

What I would do

For a first visit in July lavender season, I would stay a night in Asahikawa or Furano rather than day-trip from Sapporo. I would wait for the Aoi Hoshi timetable in spring 2027: if it fits, buy one Asahikawa–Furano ride at a station and come back on the local; if it does not, nothing is lost, since the local runs through the same hills. With only one day, I would pick a date when the direct express runs and keep travel time to a minimum.

Flower fields at Farm Tomita in Nakafurano: a full bloom of purple lavender in front, a slope of red, orange, white and purple flower stripes to the left, and plains and ridges in the distance — The Irodori field at Farm Tomita, Nakafurano (17 July 2021), with lavender and the striped flower beds in bloom together in mid-July. Bloom timing varies by year, so check the farm's updates before you go. Photo: RJD / CC BY 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Official information

JR Hokkaido sightseeing trains. Prices and times follow the latest official announcements.