Ningle Terrace 2026 Guide: Sō Kuramoto’s Fairy-Tale Forest of Handmade Crafts
Ningle Terrace sits inside the New Furano Prince Hotel grounds in Furano, Hokkaido. It is a free attraction made up of 15 log craft huts, with no admission fee, open in every season and most fairy-tale-like once the lights come on at dusk. It is closed from November 5 to 26, 2026, and reopens at 12:00 on November 27. Regular hours are 11:00–19:45 in summer and 12:00–20:45 in winter.
[Closure Notice for November 2026]Official announcement of October 1, 2026: closed on November 1, open as usual on November 2–4 (11:00–19:45), closed from November 5 to 26, and reopening at 12:00 on November 27.It also closed in November in 2024 and 2025. If you go between November 5 and 26, you will find it closed, so plan around that period in November; you can visit again from November 27. Also, on September 12, 2026 the Japan Meteorological Agency raised the Tokachidake eruption alert level to 3 (restricted access to the mountain). The hotel announced on September 15 that the grounds lie outside the alert zone, that it is operating as usual and that transport is running normally. Please watch the official announcements for any changes.
Is Ningle Terrace Worth Visiting? Verdict and Who It Suits
Yes, but pick your timing well.Admission to Ningle Terrace is free, and the 15 huts are clustered along a wooden boardwalk in a small patch of forest. A full loop takes about an hour, and the atmosphere is best after the sky darkens and the cabin lights come on; in winter, snow combined with the lights looks especially like a fairy tale. It suits travelers who already plan to stay overnight in Furano, are staying at the New Furano Prince Hotel, or enjoy handmade goods and night photography. If you are on a tight day trip from Sapporo and can only pass through quickly in daylight, or you have no interest in browsing small shops, the stop is worth less. Also avoid the maintenance closure in November. In summer the sun sets late, so you need to stay past 19:00 to see the lights, and summer hours end at 19:45.
What Is Ningle Terrace? An Ainu-Inspired Village of Forest Spirits by Sō Kuramoto
Ningle Terrace (ニングルテラス) was conceived by Sō Kuramoto, inspired by the “Ningle,” tiny forest spirits about 15 cm tall in Ainu lore. The grounds keep the original forest, and the 15 cabins are scattered among birch and pine trees so visitors can feel the warmth of nature and wood.
It is more than a shopping spot: it is an immersive experience that blends forest and craftsmanship. Daytime sunlight filtering through the trees and warm lamplight at night make it Furano’s most representative hidden gem.
Overview of the 15 Handmade Huts: A Village of Artisans Inspired by Nature
A wooden walkway links 15 huts, each with its own theme. What they share is that nature (the seasons, wood, snowflakes, animals) is at the heart of the work. The village covers glass, woodcarving, leather, candles, silver jewelry, paper art and more, and most pieces are made and sold by local Furano and Hokkaido artists working on site. You can choose small goods to fit your budget, or pricier silver and glass pieces; everything is handmade.
Because most works are one of a kind, check the signs in each shop or ask the staff before taking photos. Respecting the artisans’ work helps keep this handmade warmth alive.
Forest Clock Cafe and Soh’s BAR: Two Faces of the Forest at Night
The two most popular places to eat and drink in the grounds are the “Forest Clock” cafe (Mori no Tokei), a filming location for the TV drama “Yasashii Jikan” (Gentle Time), and “Soh’s BAR,” a hidden bar for adults only. By day the cafe offers a quiet, artistic mood surrounded by forest; after dark you can move on to Soh’s BAR for a rare forest-side evening drink in Furano. Both are covered in more detail in the attractions section below.
Ningle Terrace fits well as the last stop of a Furano and Biei day trip: arrive in the early evening, see the lights come on, and then head back. Most travelers find this the smoothest rhythm.
How to Get to Ningle Terrace: Full Guide to Transport and Costs
Ningle Terrace is inside the New Furano Prince Hotel grounds, in a suburban area, so we recommend going by bus or driving. All transport options are listed below.
Ningle Terrace Transport at a Glance: Bus, Driving and Shuttle
| Transport | Cost | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| JR Furano Station → Furano Bus “New Furano Prince Hotel Line” | About ¥400 | About 15 minutes + 2-minute walk |
| Driving (from Asahikawa Airport) | Depends on rental plan | About 1 hour |
| Driving (from New Chitose Airport) | Depends on rental plan | About 2.5–3 hours |
| Free hotel shuttle (guests only, winter service) | Free | As arranged by the hotel |
| New Furano Prince Hotel free parking lot | Free | – |
The most recommended way is to take the Furano Bus “Lavender” bus from JR Furano Station, which runs 7 times a day and takes about 17 minutes to reach the New Furano Prince Hotel, followed by a walk of about 2 minutes to Ningle Terrace. To save waiting time, a taxi from JR Furano Station covers about 6 km in about 12 minutes. Drivers can simply set the navigation to “New Furano Prince Hotel”; the hotel has a free parking lot with 390 spaces. It is about 114 km and roughly 2 hours from Sapporo, and about 60 km and 1 hour 25 minutes from Asahikawa. Roads often ice over in winter, so choose a car with snow tires and drive slowly.
Ningle Terrace Opening Hours, Closed Days and How to Check If It Is “Closed”
Many travelers planning a trip come across search results such as “Ningle Terrace closed” or “closure days,” and worry about arriving only to find it shut. Ningle Terrace (ニングルテラス) in Furano, Hokkaido is open 11:00–19:45 in summer and 12:00–20:45 in winter, with free admission. It is closed from November 5 to 26, 2026, and reopens at 12:00 on November 27. There is no fixed lighting time; the lights come on gradually as the sky darkens. This information is compiled from the New Furano Prince Hotel website and the October 1, 2026 announcement; please still check the official website before you go.
Ningle Terrace Opening Hours: Summer and Winter Schedules
Ningle Terrace requires no ticket and is free all year, but opening hours change with the season. In summer (April to October) it is open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., and in winter (late November to the end of March) from 12:00 noon to 8:45 p.m. Winter operation in 2026 begins at 12:00 on November 27.
- 🕘 Hours: Summer 11:00–19:45 / Winter 12:00–20:45 (hours vary by shop)
- 🎫 Admission: Free
- 📌 Individual shops close on irregular days, and entry may be restricted when weather, road or parking conditions are poor
- 🔗 New Furano Prince Hotel: Ningle Terrace Official Page
Is Ningle Terrace Closed in 2026? November Closure Dates and the Annual Maintenance Period
According to the New Furano Prince Hotel website, every year Ningle Terrace hasa maintenance closure in November, used to prepare the facilities between summer operation and winter (ski season) operation. This is the main reason many people search for “Ningle Terrace closed” or “maintenance dates.” For 2026, the official announcement of October 1 states: closed on November 1, open as usual on November 2–4, closed from November 5 to 26, and reopening at 12:00 on November 27. Individual craft huts also close on irregular days, and may close at short notice in bad weather such as strong wind or heavy snow.
Past official closure periods for comparison (for 2026, rely on the announcement above):
| Year | Summer operation (until) | Maintenance closure | Winter operation (from) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | November 3 | November 4 – November 29 | November 30 |
| 2025 | November 2 | November 3 – November 28 | November 29 |
| 2026 | November 1 | November 5 – November 26 | November 27 (from 12:00) |
* The 2024 and 2025 dates come from the New Furano Prince Hotel announcement “Notice of changes to Ningle Terrace opening hours” (ニングルテラス営業時間変更のお知らせ).
How Can You Check Whether Ningle Terrace Is Open on Your Day?
Because the closure dates may shift slightly each year, the safest approach is to confirm before you leave through these channels: (1) the latest announcements on the “ニングルテラス” page of the New Furano Prince Hotel website; (2) calling the New Furano Prince Hotel directly to ask about that month’s operation; (3) if you are staying at the hotel, asking at the front desk or through the hotel’s official channels about whether the grounds are open that day or that week. If your trip falls in November, pay special attention to the maintenance closure notice, and prepare nearby alternatives such as Kaze no Garden, Farm Tomita or the Blue Pond in Biei.
* The hours and closure information above are compiled from public content on the New Furano Prince Hotel’s official website. The November 2026 closure information comes from the official announcement of October 1, 2026. Please rely on the official website’s current announcements for actual dates.
Top Sights Around Ningle Terrace in 2026: The 15 Craft Huts and Nearby Highlights
Below is a full list of the best craft huts inside Ningle Terrace and the nearby sights that are easy to add to your trip.
Forest Clock Cafe (珈琲森の時計): Forest Time at the “Yasashii Jikan” Filming Location
The Forest Clock Cafe is a popular spot in Ningle Terrace and a filming location for the TV drama “Yasashii Jikan” (Gentle Time). The timber building nestles against the forest, and an indoor fireplace and old clocks create a distinctive literary atmosphere. Its best-known feature is that guests grind their own coffee beans and the staff then hand-drip the coffee, making the brewing feel like a ritual.
Recommended dishes include forest curry (about ¥2,000) and snow stew (about ¥1,900), and the cafe also serves hot cocoa, handmade pudding and more. The cafe is open 12:00–20:00 (last order 19:00) and is entirely non-smoking. Visiting in the early evening lets you enjoy the view once the lights are on.
Soh’s BAR: A Hidden Adults-Only Bar Deep in the Forest
Soh’s BAR is in the forest about a 7-minute walk from the New Furano Prince Hotel and is open 19:00–24:00. People under 20 and anyone with children are not admitted, and it is a smoking-purpose venue (no non-smoking seats). The mood is quiet and understated, and it is one of the few places in Ningle Terrace where you can have a drink at night. Dim light and log interiors contrast sharply with the craft-filled huts of the daytime, showing the “grown-up side” of this forest village.
The space is small, so when visiting in the evening, allow plenty of time and enjoy a forest bar experience that is rare in Furano.
Kamigami no Mori: A Craft Hut Working in Paper
Kamigami no Mori (紙々の森) is a craft hut that uses paper as its medium. Using a distinctive technique, it layers cut paper to depict Hokkaido’s landscapes through the seasons. In the same grounds, the “ペーパーワークの家” (Paperwork House) uses washi paper to express Furano’s four seasons, so paper-art fans can visit both together.
The grounds also have a “クラフト教室” (craft class): Kamigami no Mori’s card-painting experience takes about 30 minutes and starts from 830 yen. No reservation is needed, and classes start from 12:00, suiting travelers who want to take home something they made themselves.
Mori no Rosoku-ya: A Handmade Candle Workshop in Warm Candlelight
Mori no Rosoku-ya (森のろうそく屋) sells distinctive “wood candles,” made from larch-scented wood and carved on the surface with the spirits and animals said to live in this forest. They are among the most characteristic handmade items in the grounds. Every piece has a different shape, and when lit it gives off a faint woody fragrance.
Each shop also has its own regular closing days, so check the shop calendar published on the official website before you go and choose the huts you want to visit.
Yuki no Kessho (Snow Crystal): The Finest in Silver Jewelry and Snow Crystal Craft
Yuki no Kessho is the hut in the grounds that specializes in silver jewelry and snow-crystal-shaped accessories. The artisan turns the snowflake patterns unique to Hokkaido winters into delicate earrings, necklaces and brooches, each repeatedly hand-carved to a fine, translucent finish. It is one of Ningle Terrace’s most representative souvenirs.
Silver jewelry is among the pricier items. The official introduction says each piece is made after the shape of a snow crystal and no two are the same, which makes them more collectible. We suggest visiting in the soft light of early evening, when the silver takes on a mellow glow under warm yellow lamps, quite different from its daytime look.
Ningle Terrace Lighting Time and the Boardwalk at Night: The Most Dreamlike Moment
The wooden boardwalk running through the whole grounds is the soul of Ningle Terrace. By day, the soft sound of footsteps on the planks seems to echo the steps of the forest spirits. After dark, light glows gently from inside the huts and between the treetops, and the halos reflected off snow or the damp boardwalk create a picture-book scene. The official website only says that the lights come on at night and does not publish a fixed lighting time; in practice they come on gradually as the sky darkens. In winter the sun sets around 4 p.m. in Furano, while in summer the night atmosphere only begins after about 7 p.m., so if you want to see the lights in summer, remember that opening hours end at 19:45.
Winter hours run until 20:45, and the period after sunset has the best atmosphere. We especially recommend catching the “blue hour” (the brief moment 15 to 30 minutes after sunset when the sky still holds a blue-violet tone) for photos. The color temperatures of sky and lights contrast strongly then, and photographers widely consider it the best time for pictures.
Ningle Terrace Through the Seasons: Four Faces from Fresh Green to Snow-Country Fairy Tale
In spring, scattered lights glow along the boardwalk paths, and with a cool evening breeze the mood is especially romantic. Summer is lush green, cool and pleasant, a great place to escape the heat, but there are more caterpillars and insects in the forest. The grounds put up “Beware of caterpillars” signs, and sensitive travelers should prepare insect protection.
In autumn, red maple leaves and golden fallen leaves mingle in a poetic scene, and some shops even arrange fallen leaves into heart shapes for visitors to photograph. Winter is the most popular season: white snow covers the cabin roofs, and dazzling strings of lights and snow combine into a beautiful fairy-tale world, the most dreamlike look of the year at Ningle Terrace.
New Furano Prince Hotel: The Ski and Hot Spring Resort Where Ningle Terrace Is Located
The New Furano Prince Hotel is not only the grounds where Ningle Terrace stands but also one of Furano’s leading resort hotels. It adjoins the Furano ski area, so you can fit in skiing in winter, and it covers sightseeing, shopping and relaxation in one place.
The hotel has a free parking lot with 390 spaces, and the Furano Bus “Lavender” bus also stops here, making it one of the top choices for lodging in Furano. More accommodation details follow in a later section.
Kaze no Garden: The Picturesque Garden from the Drama “Kaze no Garden”
Kaze no Garden (Garden of the Wind) is an English-style garden built specially for the drama “Kaze no Garden,” directed by Sō Kuramoto. More than 200 kinds of perennial flowers bloom in turn through the seasons, and together with a wooden greenhouse and winding paths the garden presents a picture-perfect view that echoes the handmade feel of Ningle Terrace.
It is open roughly from late April to mid-October and closed in winter. We suggest visiting it before Ningle Terrace, to take in two very different but equally romantic styles of gardening in Furano.
Farm Tomita: The Birthplace of Hokkaido’s Lavender Fields
Farm Tomita is the birthplace of lavender tourism in Furano. The best bloom runs from late June to August, when purple fields with the Tokachidake mountain range in the distance make one of Hokkaido’s most iconic summer scenes. The farm has several flower-field viewing areas and sells lavender soft-serve ice cream, soap and other souvenirs.
Entry is free. Crowds are large during the flower season, so a weekday morning is best. You can also combine it with Ningle Terrace on the same day, viewing flowers in the morning and lights in the early evening to make full use of a day in Furano.
Furano Cheese Factory: Hands-On Cheese and Ice Cream Experiences
The Furano Cheese Factory offers cheese-making experiences and freshly baked pizza, and has workshops for ice cream, butter and bread. Through glass windows you can watch artisans make cheese on the spot, and get a sense of the depth of Furano’s dairy farming.
Hands-on classes require advance reservations and fees vary by activity. Special cheese flavors are released from time to time. It suits dairy lovers and families, and is a good place to recharge after a day of walking.
Blue Pond in Biei: Indigo Water and White Birch Snags, a Natural Wonder
Thanks to the special minerals in its water, the Blue Pond in Biei takes on a dreamy indigo color at certain angles of light, and the dead white birch trees standing in the pond add a surreal beauty. It is a pilgrimage site for photography enthusiasts and one of Hokkaido’s landmarks, with a limited-time winter night illumination as well.
We suggest going in the morning when light is plentiful to photograph the pond’s true color. The winter illumination offers a completely different, dreamlike mood and echoes the night lighting at Ningle Terrace, so the two fit well into the same Biei and Furano day trip.
Shirahige Waterfall: A Hidden Falls Where Hot Spring Water Flows into the River in Brilliant Blue
Shirahige Waterfall is formed where hot spring water seeps through rock layers and joins the flow. Rich in minerals, it runs a rare milky blue, and like the nearby Blue Pond it is a must-see natural sight in Biei. The viewing platform on the bridge gives a close look at the whole waterfall.
We suggest visiting it on the same route as the Biei Blue Pond, only a few minutes apart by car. It fits the early part of a Ningle Terrace day trip, so you can use the best daylight for photos.
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Kita no Kuni Outdoor Set: The Classic Set That Witnessed Furano’s Pioneering Spirit
The Kita no Kuni outdoor set is the real-life filming location of Sō Kuramoto’s classic drama “From the North Country” (Kita no Kuni kara). It preserves the log houses and living scenes where the characters lived, letting visitors step into Furano’s pioneer years and feel the Kuramoto worldview shared with Ningle Terrace.
The site is divided into several scene areas, and we suggest allowing 1 to 1.5 hours. Fans of Japanese TV drama or Kuramoto’s work should not miss it, and it gives a deeper understanding of the creative background behind Ningle Terrace.
Furano Shrine: A Local Spiritual Center for Praying for a Safe Journey
Furano Shrine is an important spiritual center for local residents and enshrines deities that protect pioneering and agriculture. The grounds are peaceful and look different in every season, making it a rare quiet place to pray in central Furano. Visitors can buy an omamori (charm) here to pray for a safe journey, and at some times goshuin (shrine stamps) are also available.
We suggest stopping by during a break from town sightseeing. The grounds are small, and 20 to 30 minutes is enough. It is a good way to add some cultural depth to a Furano itinerary.
How Much Does Ningle Terrace Cost? Free Entry and Paid Extras
Entry to “Ningle Terrace” is completely free and needs no advance reservation, the biggest difference from other popular Furano and Biei attractions. Still, there are a few paid extras in the grounds that make the forest stroll richer. Here are the three most common, to help you set a budget.
Free Entry: Ningle Terrace’s Greatest Appeal
Ningle Terrace has no admission ticket and no seat reservations. Once you reach the trail entrance inside the New Furano Prince Hotel grounds, you can come and go freely at any time, and you can browse all 15 craft huts and the forest boardwalk without spending anything. That is why it is often the last stop on a Furano and Biei day trip: whether in daylight or in the early evening after the lights are on, it is easy to fit in, with no extra admission cost to worry about.
Coffee at Cafe Forest Clock: A Ritual of Grinding Your Own Beans
“Cafe Forest Clock” (珈琲 森の時計) is the best-known cafe in the grounds and the actual filming location for the drama “Yasashii Jikan” (Gentle Time). After ordering, you grind the coffee beans yourself and hand-drip your own cup. Blend coffee is about 900 yen, a cake set with the signature cake is about 1,800 yen, and the Nagori Yuki set is about 1,600 yen. It is a good place to sit and rest after browsing the craft huts.
Craft Hut DIY Experience Fees: Take Home a Memory of the North Country
Among the 15 craft huts, the official “クラフト教室” (craft class) lists 3 experiences: a wooden orchestra figure at Mori no Gakudan (森の楽団; about 60 minutes, from 3,300 yen, reserve with the shop before opening hours the previous day), a card painting at Kamigami no Mori (about 30 minutes, from 830 yen), and a kaleidoscope at Mangekyo no Ie (萬華鏡の家; about 10 minutes, from 1,500 yen). Classes start from 12:00, and you can take your finished piece home, a popular keepsake for couples and families. We suggest arriving before the lights come on, browsing the shops first and leaving time for photos.
Furano and Biei Day Tour Packages: A Popular Way to Include Ningle Terrace
Because Ningle Terrace is somewhat out of the way, most travelers include it in a Furano and Biei day tour from Sapporo or Asahikawa, combined with sights such as the Blue Pond, Shirahige Waterfall or Shikisai Hill. They usually arrive at Ningle Terrace in the early evening to see the lights as the finale, saving the hassle of driving and connecting transport.
Where to Stay Near Ningle Terrace: Lodging Suggestions
Where to Stay Around Ningle Terrace: The New Furano Prince Hotel and Central Furano
Ningle Terrace is inside the New Furano Prince Hotel grounds. If you want to wake up naturally and stroll the whole grounds at leisure, staying at that hotel is the most convenient, and you can add the hotel’s ski area and hot spring too. If budget is a concern or you want to compare more options, you can also choose a hotel in central Furano near the station, which has convenient JR and bus connections; the New Furano Prince Hotel grounds are about 12 minutes by taxi or 17 minutes by bus. This works well for day trips or flexible multi-day Furano and Biei itineraries.
Ningle Terrace FAQ
Q: How much is admission to Ningle Terrace? Do I need a reservation?
Ningle Terrace is completely free to enter and needs no advance reservation. You can come and go as you like, but it is closed from November 5 to 26, 2026 (see the question “Will it be closed?” below).
Q: What is the easiest way to get to Ningle Terrace?
The most recommended way is the Furano Bus “Lavender” bus from JR Furano Station, about 17 minutes to the New Furano Prince Hotel, then about 2 minutes on foot.
Q: What time does Ningle Terrace open? Are winter and summer hours the same?
In summer (April to October) it is open from about 11:00 to 19:45, and in winter (late November to the end of March) from about 12:00 to 20:45. Actual times may shift slightly with weather and season, so check the official announcements before you go.
Q: Will Ningle Terrace be closed? Which days are the maintenance closure?
The official website announces a maintenance closure every November, used to bridge summer and winter (ski season) operation. In 2026 it is closed from November 5 to 26 and reopens at 12:00 on November 27 (in 2024 it was November 4 to 29, and in 2025 November 3 to 28). Each craft hut also has its own irregular closing days, and may close at short notice in bad weather such as strong wind or heavy snow. If your trip falls in November or in a season with unsettled weather, we suggest calling the New Furano Prince Hotel or checking the latest official announcement for that day’s status before you go.
Q: What time are the lights turned on at Ningle Terrace?
There is no officially announced fixed lighting time; the lights come on gradually as the sky darkens. Winter sunsets are early, so you can see the lit scenery from a little after 4 p.m. and stay until winter closing at 20:45. In summer it only gets dark after 19:00 and the grounds close at 19:45, so there is less time to enjoy the night view.
Q: Is Ningle Terrace worth visiting?
Yes, especially for travelers who stay overnight in Furano and can stay until the lights come on in the early evening. Entry is free and a loop takes about an hour. If you would only pass by in daylight, or your trip falls in the November maintenance closure, we would not recommend making a special trip.
Q: What is the best season to visit Ningle Terrace?
Winter snow and lights have the most fairy-tale atmosphere and are the most popular season. Summer is cool and good for escaping the heat, and autumn leaves are romantic, so each has its own charm; choose according to your preferences.
Q: Is there an age limit at Soh’s BAR?
Yes. Soh’s BAR admits adults aged 20 and over only, and smoking is allowed inside, so younger visitors cannot enter.
Q: What should I watch out for when visiting Ningle Terrace in summer?
In summer there are more caterpillars and insects in the forest, and the grounds put up “Beware of caterpillars” signs. We recommend long sleeves and insect repellent.
