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Before you go
Your trip to Biei.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Biei – Hokkaido Destination Furano and Biei about 160 km from Sapporo
How to get there
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Aeroporto de Asahikawa (AKJ) Higashikagura · 15 km
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Estação de Biei 1 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
Asahikawa Airport (AKJ) is about a 20-minute drive away. From Asahikawa, the Furano Line train takes about 35 minutes; from Furano, about 40. Buses connect Biei Station with the Blue Pond and Shirogane.
How many days
A full day covers Patchwork Road, Shikisai-no-oka and the Blue Pond by car. Without a car, or to see the hills in early- and late-day light, spend one night.
When to go
June to September for green fields and flowers; July usually has the most color in the beds. September has the harvest. In winter the hills are snow-covered and the Blue Pond, frozen, is often lit at night during part of the season.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
It is the most practical way, because the points are spread out and transport is scarce. Without a car, use bicycles rented near the station, taxis, the buses to Shirogane and tours from Asahikawa.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Biei
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Morning
Patchwork Road
Leave early by car or bicycle along Patchwork Road, north of the station, with the trees and fields known from photos. Stop only at marked shoulders and parking areas.
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Afternoon
Shikisai-no-oka and Blue Pond
Follow Panorama Road to Shikisai-no-oka and then continue toward Shirogane for the Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls, a few minutes away.
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Evening
Curry and hills at dusk
Return to the hills for late afternoon, when the low light often emphasizes the bands of crops, and dine in Biei center, where curry with local vegetables is a tradition.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
How to visit Biei without a car?
Rent a bicycle, regular or electric, near the station for the Patchwork Road; take the bus to Blue Pond and Shirogane, and taxis for longer sections. Day trips from Asahikawa and Sapporo also stop at the main sights.
Why is entry to the fields at Biei prohibited?
They are private croplands, and trampling them damages the crops and can spread disease. Several famous trees are on private property. Stay on the roads and at the designated stopping points.
What is the Patchwork Road?
It is the name given to the rural roads north of central Biei, where fields of different colors resemble a patchwork quilt. Isolated trees used in advertisements have become stopping points.
How long does it take to get from Biei to Blue Pond?
About 20 minutes by car or bus from Biei Station. The bus continues to Shirogane Onsen, near Shirahige Falls.
Beyond the guide
