Furano Line Local 732D from Biei to Asahikawa
After my lunch in Biei, it was time to continue on the Furano Line on my loop around around Takikawa, Furano, Biei, and Asahikawa from Sapporo with my JR Hokkaido Sapporo-Furano Area Pass. Going from Biei to Asahikawa is much easier to plan with more trains available than my previous Nemuro Line Local 2475D and Furano Line Local 730D trains, though with a frequency still averaging at around 1 hour per train.
Biei Station
The façade of Biei Station.
The interior of Biei Station is compact but has all the essential facilities like a ticket machine, manned ticket counter, and seating areas.
The full timetable of Furano Line trains is also displayed at Biei Station.
The gate to the platform opened about 10 minutes before the departure time of Furano Line Local 732D. The light box above the door lights up according to where the train platform was and where the train was going to.
With the manual manned gate, I presented my JR Hokkaido Sapporo-Furano Area Pass to the gate staff to enter the platform.
Platform 2 is accessed by the overhead bridge across the railway tracks.
The station sign of Biei.
Right on time, my Furano Line Local 732D was appearing from the curve south of Biei Station, coming in from Furano.
My Furano Line Local 732D arrived at Biei on time at 1.53pm. There will be a 6-minute layover at Biei, departing at 1.59pm.
The Furano Line Local 732D arrived almost fully seated, and there were only longitudinal seats for me to take without me encroaching into the privacy of others in the box seats and sitting in reverse myself.
The legroom available on the longitudinal seat, though it’s not very comfortable to be sitting sideways.
Departing from Biei Station on time at 1.59pm.
Kita-Biei Station
Making a brief stop at Kita-Biei Station.
Crossing over the Bebetsu River.
A Japanese squat toilet is available on board the KiHa 141 DMU.
Chiyogaoka Station
Making a brief stop at Chiyogaoka Station.
Crossing with the Furano Line Local 1755D was almost in tandem at Chiyogaoka Station.
Departing from Chiyogaoka Station.
Nishi-Seiwa Station
Making a brief stop at Nishi-Seiwa Station.
The cars on the road have to stop while the Furano Line Local 732D is at Nishi-Seiwa Station as the railway crossing at the end of the platform is shut.
Nishi-Kagura Station
Making a brief stop at Nishi-Kagura Station.
Nishi-Mizuho Station
Making a brief stop at Nishi-Mizuho Station.
Nishi-Goryō Station
Making a brief stop at Nishi-Goryō Station.
Crossing the railway crossing after Nishi-Goryō Station.
Midorigaoka Station
Making a brief stop at Midorigaoka Station.
Kaguraoka Station
Making a brief stop at Kaguraoka Station.
Crossing over the Chubetsu River.
Meeting with the Sōya Main Line and Sekihoku Main Line east of Asahikawa Station.
Heading in to Asahikawa Station.
Asahikawa Station
My arrived at Asahikawa Station on time at 2.32pm.
Looking back at the interior of the KiHa 141 DMU.
The KiHa 141 DMU at Asahikawa Station.
The station sign at Asahikawa Station on a glass panel covering the escalators.
Heading down to the concourse from the platform.
The escalators lead down to the transfer concourse first to access other platforms or the escalators down to the exits.
Heading out of the west gates.
AEON MALL Asahikawa Station is located directly at Asahikawa Station west gates.
The façade of Asahikawa Station.
Conclusion
The Furano Line Local 732D from Biei to Asahikawa may have been a scenic train ride if it were lavender season, but on my trip in November 2022, this was just a basic local train ride. Nevertheless, I’m here for trains rather than scenery, and the KiHa 141 ride was very pleasant on this local line.