Published:
Sapporo to Biei Winter Day Tour Review: Indigo Travel & Junpei Restaurant
This is an honest, self-paid review of a winter Biei day tour from Sapporo with Indigo Travel, including DSLR photos at the birch grove and Christmas Tree, and lunch at the famous Junpei restaurant — and I was thoroughly satisfied with it. If a Biei tour is on your first Sapporo itinerary, here’s exactly how the day went.
Why I chose Indigo Travel
A Biei tour is one of the must-dos on a Sapporo trip, and I compared several operators before settling on Indigo Travel. The deciding factors: DSLR photography is included in the tour, it departs from Sapporo Station (close to my hotel), there was supposed to be sledding at Shikisai-no-Oka, and lunch was possible at Junpei restaurant.
Indigo Travel is on the pricier side compared to other operators, but the guide personally shooting your photos and the sledding were the most appealing points for me. In the end, the little extra I paid was well worth it — I was extremely happy with the tour.
Will there be enough snow in March?
I’d heard a March Biei tour might not have enough snow, and I worried about it too. Luckily, Hokkaido got heavy snowfall right before our trip, so the fields were still beautifully white.
I took the tour on March 10, 2026. The meeting time was 7:40 AM at the Sapporo Station North Exit, and I arrived 20 minutes early. Because my hotel was close to the station I could eat breakfast and leave with time to spare — without it, I’d have been shivering on the bus. There’s also a stop at the Sunagawa Highway Oasis rest area, so don’t stress too much if you skip breakfast.
The guide and the rest stop
My guide was “Jenny,” who opened a group chat and kept sharing useful tips all day long — including a list of what to eat at the Sunagawa rest stop. Since I’d already eaten breakfast, I only bought corn tea, yogurt, and potato chips. The corn tea was nutty and tasty, but the real winner was the drinking yogurt — you swallow thick yogurt chunks and it’s a genuine treat. I should have bought more. My companion picked up two small bottles of Hokkaido-only sake. On the bus, Jenny shared stories about Hokkaido, including the history of the indigenous Ainu people.
Patchwork Road and the scenery
At Patchwork Road we admired the white, snow-covered plains from the bus — exactly the Hokkaido image you picture in your head. We got lucky with rare clear weather, so we even stepped out briefly for a quick photo.
Lunch at Junpei restaurant
We reached Junpei around 11 AM and, luckily, there was no wait, so we were seated right away. We’d told the tour company in advance that we wanted to eat here. We ordered the signature shrimp-fry (ebi-fry) donburi and the curry rice the moment we sat down, and the food came out fast. Plump shrimp in a crisp batter — I also tried a 100% tomato juice, which tasted clean and healthy. The flavor wasn’t extraordinary, but experiencing such a famous restaurant with no wait was great. Tip: paying can also involve a queue, so my companion settled the bill early after finishing.
The Four Seasons Tower viewpoint
With time to spare, we headed to the nearby observation tower (Four Seasons Tower). It’s small and narrow, but looking down on the low buildings felt like gazing at a miniature village — really cute. We took a selfie with the selfie stick, then wandered the tiny town before regrouping at Biei Station.
DSLR photos at Takushinkan
At Takushinkan, DSLR photography was scheduled and we were second in line. Jenny darted off to claim the best photo spot, and we chased after her. The couple before us looked like models, and watching their shoot was like a photoshoot. Jenny knelt in the snow and gave it everything — directing our poses and shooting beautiful, high-quality photos in both portrait and landscape, many shots and many poses. Even just following her directions produced great results. The birch trees at Takushinkan are stunning. There’s also a gallery inside with hauntingly beautiful Biei landscape photos — definitely go in and see them.
The Christmas Tree
Next was the Christmas Tree, where Jenny again sprinted to claim the spot. This time she shot us on our own phones rather than the DSLR. I didn’t follow her directions well, but the results were so good I was thrilled — including a heart-pose photo I love. When I first heard about the Christmas Tree I wondered if it was worth going to see one lone tree, but in person it was genuinely lovely, and even casual shots came out like artwork.
We’d hoped to sled at Shikisai-no-Oka, but the snow had melted enough that the sledding hill had closed for the season. The tour company adjusted the schedule so we could fully enjoy the other stops, so I wasn’t too disappointed.
Shirahige Falls
Last was Shirahige Falls, where the clear weather suddenly turned and snow began to fall. Jenny said this is rare — seeing Biei both sunny and snowing in one tour made it a lucky day. Icicles were frozen solid, with blue-tinted water flowing beneath, made even more beautiful by the falling snow. Small stalls sell various snacks here; we got Crème Mia ice cream (it’s here too!) and takoyaki. Wandering the snowy streets with a snack while big flakes fell was pure romance.
Verdict
The tour wrapped up and we headed back to Sapporo. The little extra I paid for Indigo Travel was absolutely worth it — the guide-shot photos, the lucky weather, and the Junpei lunch with no wait made for a memorable first Biei day. If you’re planning a Biei tour from Sapporo in winter, I recommend it.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Biei tour depart from?
Our Indigo Travel tour met at Sapporo Station North Exit at 7:40 AM. Meeting points differ by company — some leave from Odori Station — so confirm yours and choose a tour that fits your hotel's location, since these tours start early.
Can you see enough snow on a Biei tour in March?
There's a risk of melting snow by March, but we got lucky with heavy snowfall right before our trip, so the fields were still beautifully white. The sledding hill at Shikisai-no-Oka had already closed for the season, though.
Why choose Indigo Travel over cheaper Biei tours?
Indigo Travel costs more than other operators, but it includes DSLR photography by the guide, departs from Sapporo Station, and offers sledding (seasonal). The guide-shot photos were the highlight and made the higher price worth it for us.
What should you order at Junpei restaurant?
The signature shrimp-fry (ebi-fry) donburi and the curry rice are the must-orders. We also tried a 100% tomato juice; many people order beer too. We arrived around 11 AM with no wait and were seated immediately.