Biei

About Biei

Biei is a place where colorful fields appear like “patchwork” on the gently sloping hillside with the Tokachi mountain range in the background, resembling a European farming village.

As one of the vast sprawling lands in Japan, its scenic appeal is often used in TV commercials.

Simply put, Biei is “just a pretty hill”.

It has no history or cultural elements. However, from Spring to Fall the tranquil scenery and refreshing air provides a healing experience.

You can also find plenty of healthy-minded restaurants that serve fresh and delicious locally sourced vegetables. Additionally, many of the entrance fees for the different sightseeing spots are free!

Biei is kind to your heart, stomach, and wallet.

The hills of Biei are spread out on both sides of the JR Furano Line, with the northwest side of Biei Station known as “Patchwork Road” and the south side as “Panorama Road”.

Incidentally, the reason why the fields look like a “patchwork” is because multiple crops with different growing and harvesting periods are planted in sequence to prevent the continuous cultivation of the same crop in the same place, which causes the land to “lose weight”.

The best time to visit is from early summer, when the crops begin to bud, until the harvesting season of autumn (mid May ~ October end). Outside of this period will only be covered in snow and not recommended.

If you traverse roughly 20 km southeast of Biei’s hills you’ll run into the scenic spots of “Shirogane’s Blue Lake” and “White Beard Waterfall”.

Shirogane’s Blue Lake is particularly famous for its scenic fantasy-like sparkling blue surface surrounded by weathered larch.

On a different note, this area’s agricultural and livestock production is No.1 in all of Japan.

You’ll find a treasure trove of high quality food and ingredients, not to mention top notch restaurants.

So, it shouldn’t come at a surprise that there are 3 Michelin Star restaurants in the middle of this remote countryside!

Biei is relatively close to Furano and Asahikawa so keep that in mind if you wish to visit any of these places.

Without a car it will be inconvenient though.

Planning to visit without a car?

You can either rent a taxi for the day and pay a large sum or take part in one of the Biei tours.

Recommendations/Worthy Mentions

Enjoy sightseeing and the food.

Sightseeing

The sprawling patchwork fields of potato and wheat on the hills are surrounded by planted trees and provide a visual accent. Look out on this scenic landscape and feel refreshed.

Everywhere you look there is a photogenic spot so don’t forget to take photos.

The Food

Plenty of cafes and restaurants can be found in this area’s treasure trove of premium crops and livestock. And not only are these establishments tasteful, but pleasure you with great views and a warm atmosphere.

Among these refreshing eateries are 3 Michelin restaurants with stars, offering lunch from ¥3,000, a reasonable price for everything that comes with it.

Caution

When touring around the area or taking photos do not enter the crop fields. Take pictures from the street or parking area.

Biei, by nature, is not a tourist area but a farming town, and the crop fields you see on the hills are mostly private land.

Littering by tourists and damage caused by unwelcome visitors have gotten worse in recent years, angering locals.

The main concern are the germs brought into the fields unintentionally by tourists’ shoes and damaging the crops.

The culprit, unfortunately, are you foreign tourists with bad behaviors and disregard for local property.

Which country’s citizens are the worst will not be mentioned but it could be your fellow countrymen.

Access to Biei

The most convenient way to arrive at Biei is to come from Asahikawa, the nearest large city.

From Asahikawa Airport

Bus

The Furano Lavender Bus departs approx. once every hour.

It takes approx. 15 min to reach JR Biei Station.

Lavender-Bus

From Asahikawa Station

Train

Take the JR Furano Line and alight at Biei Station.

Approx. travel time: 40 min. (Approx. 1-2 trains per hour).

Bus

Furano Bus Lavender arrives once every hour.

Approx travel time To JR Biei Station: 55 min.

From Sapporo

Train

From Sapporo Station take the JR Hakodate Main Line Rapid train, transfer at Asahikawa Station for the JR Furano Lineand get off at Biei Station.

Approx travel time: 2 hours

*From Sapporo Station to Asahikawa Station there are around 2 rapid trains each hour.

Bus

There are no direct bus lines from Sapporo to Biei.

You will have to first go from Sapporo to Asahikawa Station, then take a bus or train (JR Furano Line) to Biei.

Either way, approx. travel time is 3 hours.

Access within Biei Area

It’s impossible to get around by public transport alone.

The frequency of departures is low and extremely limited in places you may want to visit.

Traveling by car is the clear favorite, but if rental cars aren’t an option the Biei bus tours are your next best option.

Biei area bus tour from to Biei Station

From Biei Hills to the Blue Pond, this bus stops at all the major sightseeing spots.

Fee: ¥3,000 Visit the url below for more details in your language and for reservations.

Biei View Bus

Sightseeing

Hills

The hills of Biei are divided into 2 areas: in the southeast side or “Panorama Road” and the northwest side called “Patchwork Road”.

Commercials and product packages often have the scenic views of Patchwork Road while Panorama Road offers a view of Mt. Toachi in the backdrop of beautiful rolling hills.

Patchwork Road

Seven Stars Tree

On the northern side of Highway 237 stands a single Japanese oak tree in the middle of the rolling hills. The tree suddenly earned fame in 1976 as the world’s 4th largest tobacco manufacturer, JT, used the tree as the package image of their Seven Stars cigarette brand. That’s pretty much all there is to […]

[ See details ]

Address	Hokuei, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido
Access	13 min drive from JR Biei Sta[…]
Tel	0166-92-4378
URL	[ Click ]

Tree of Ken and Mary

Standing straight and tall towards the sky is this poplar tree. It measures 31 meters tall, and because there are no other tall trees it clearly stands out from a long distance. The tree became famous when it was introduced as part of a 1972 commercial for Nissan’s Skyline sports car. In the ad was […]

[ See details ]

Address	Okubo Kyosei, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido
Access	5 min drive from JR Biei Stat[…]
Tel	0166-92-4378
URL	[ Click ]

Panorama Road

Shikisai no Oka

Located atop a high hill, the garden is one of the must visit spots in Biei with a spectacular view. Enjoy in season flowers from spring to autumn. The garden takes up over 150,000 sq. m. of land and has roughly 30 kinds of flowers planted in stripes of red, yellow, pink, and white, so […]

[ See details ]

Address	Shinsei Dai 3, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido
Access	5 min drive from JR Bibaushi […]
Tel	0166-95-2758
URL	[ Click ]

Shinei no Oka Observatory Park

Typical of Hokkaido scenery, the simple sprawling view of Biei’s rolling hills can be seen from this observatory park. The view of the sunset is especially famous for its beauty. The observatory park can be found midway through Panorama Road and a convenient break spot with bathrooms, a rest area, a parking lot, and shops.

[ See details ]

Address	Shinei Biboshi, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
Access	7 min car drive from JR Biei […]
Tel	0166-92-4378
URL	[ Click ]

Ponds and Waterfalls

Shirogane Blue Pond

The pond’s crystal blue appearance, as though something had melted in the water, and the decayed larch surrounding it gives the pond a mysterious aura yet awesome vibe. The blue pond suddenly rose to international fame when it was once selected as one of Apple computer’s wallpaper. Now, this pond is by no means old. […]

[ See details ]

Address	Shirogane, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido
Access	From Biei Station take the Do[…]
Tel	0166-94-3355
URL	[ Click ]

Shirahige Waterfall

The water gushing out and falling 30 meters comes from Mt. Tokachi’s underground water. If you want a great view of it all, head over to “Blue River Bridge”, the bridge standing over Biei River. In winter, the splashes of water and steam magically create silver frost on the trees, depicting a fantasy-like wonder. And, […]

[ See details ]