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[2025 Edition] 10 Recommended Driving Spots in Biei! Enjoy the natural beauty of this hill town
Biei, known as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Hokkaido, is famous as the "town of hills." The rolling hills make it the perfect place for a drive. In this article, we will introduce recommended spots to make your drive even more enjoyable, including spectacular views and famous places unique to Biei.
- The popular spot with its fantastic blue water surface: Shirokane Blue Pond
- The source of the cobalt blue Shirogane Blue Pond, Shirahige Falls
- A colorful flower field that spreads across a vast hill: "Shikisai-no-Oka Flower Field"
- Take a stroll in a buggy or cart among the flowers of each season at "Zerubu Hill and Atom Hill"
- "Ken and Mary's Tree" - a driving spot featured in a TV commercial
- "Biei Shirogane Onsen" - a hot spring with a free-flowing source that will soothe your tired body after a long drive
- Shin-Ei Hills Observation Park: View the beautiful sunset and the hills of Biei
- Roadside Station Biei Okanokura: Where you can buy delicious gourmet food and limited edition souvenirs
- If you want to taste freshly squeezed milk, go to Biei Free-grazing Dairy Farm (Biei Farm)
- The Seven Star Tree stands surrounded by patchwork roads
1. Shirokane Blue Pond: A popular spot with a fantastic blue water surface
This popular spot has a mysteriously blue water surface and dead larch trees that create a fantastical landscape. In spring and summer, the blue of the pond stands out vividly against the fresh greenery, in autumn the water is colored with autumn leaves, and in winter the snow-covered pond and the surrounding trees are lit up. It's a place you'll want to visit again and again to see the mystical scenery that changes with each season.
■Opening hours: All year round ・Light up *From the times below until 21:00 October, November 17:00～ / December 16:30～ / January 17:00～ / February 17:30～ / March 18:00～ / April 18:30～ *From December 31st to January 3rd, the lighting hours will be extended until 2:00 a.m. the following day. ■ Location: Shirokane, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun Click here for details and maps of "Shirogane Blue Pond"
2. Shirahige Falls: The source of the sparkling cobalt blue Shirogane Blue Pond
The underground water of the Tokachi mountain range flows powerfully from between natural rocks and falls at a height of 30m, making it a rare "submerged waterfall" in Japan. It was given this name because the falling water looks like a white beard. It is one of the tourist attractions in Biei Shirogane Onsen town, and the sight of the sparkling cobalt blue Biei River splashing up is a spectacular sight. The flow of the Blue River that flows under the bridge is the source of the Blue Pond.
■Opening hours: All year round ・Light-up times (From the times below until 21:00) October, November 17:00～ / December 16:30～ / January 17:00～ / February 17:30～ / March 18:00～ / April 18:30～ / May to September 18:00～ ■ Location: Shirokane, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun Click here for details and maps of "Shirohige Falls"
3. Shikisai-no-Oka: A colorful flower field that spreads across a vast hill
This popular flower field is home to dozens of colorful flowers in an area of 15 hectares. You can enjoy dozens of different flowers over a long period from spring to autumn, including tulips and pansies in spring, poppies and lupines in early summer, lavender and sunflowers in summer, and cosmos and kochia in autumn. The gently undulating hills with the Tokachi mountain range in the background are worth a visit. The garden also has a direct sales store for agricultural products, a restaurant, and an alpaca ranch, making it a fun place for families to enjoy.
■ Business hours: Normal January 8:40-16:30 / February-April 9:10-17:00 / May, October 8:40-17:00 / June-September 8:40-17:30 / November-December 9:10-16:30 *The alpaca farm closes 30 minutes before closing. ■Price: July to September: High school students and above 500 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 300 yen / Toddlers free *There is a fee for using various vehicles and entering the alpaca ranch. *An additional fee is required for activities during the winter season (early December to early April of the following year). ■ Location: Shinsei 3, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun Click here for details and maps of "Shikisai-no-Oka Flower Garden"
4. Take a stroll in a buggy or cart among the flowers of each season at "Zerubu Hill and Atom Hill"
With the dramatic natural scenery of Mount Asahi and the Tokachi mountain range as a backdrop, Zerubu Hill and Atom Hill are located on a gentle hill along National Route 237, where a variety of flowers such as lavender, sunflowers, and poppies bloom in full bloom. You can also see the Ken and Mary Tree from the observation deck, and you can get around the park in a buggy cart.
■Opening hours: Saturday, April 26, 2025 to early October 9:00-17:00 *The restaurant will not be open during the 2025 season. ■Closed days: Irregular holidays *Closed during winter ■Price ・Buggy experience: 1 lap around the course 500 yen for 1 person / 800 yen for 2 people ・Kart experience: 1 lap around the course for 4-5 people, 2,000 yen *Available for 2 or more people *Drivers must be aged 16 or older ■Location: Daisan, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun Click here for details and maps of "Zerubu Hill and Atom Hill"
5. "Ken and Mary's Tree" - a driving spot featured in a TV commercial
This is one of the iconic landscapes of Biei that became famous when it appeared in a Nissan Skyline commercial in 1972. The unique name was chosen after the characters "Ken" and "Mary" from the commercial. It is also a popular driving and photo spot.
■Location: Okubo Kyosei, Biei Town, Kamikawa District For details and maps of "Ken and Mary's Tree", please click here.
6. Biei Shirogane Onsen: A free-flowing hot spring to soothe your tired body after a long drive
Located at the foot of a mountain overlooking the Tokachi mountain range, this hot spring resort allows you to enjoy the mountains and the surrounding rich natural scenery, warming both your body and soul. The road to Shirogane Onsen is the Shirakaba Highway, a 4km long birch forest. It is also close to the Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls, so you can enjoy the clean, free-flowing spring water while touring Biei's tourist spots.
■ Business hours * Varies by facility. Please check the official website of each facility for details. ■Prices *Varies by facility. Please check the official website of each facility for details. ■ Location: Shirokane, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun For details and maps of "Biei Shirogane Onsen," click here.
7. Shin-Ei Hills Observation Park: View the beautiful sunset and the hills of Biei
This observation park is a recommended spot for stopping by while driving or cycling. You can get a 360-degree view of the hills of Biei, with the Tokachi mountain range and colorful patchwork hills to the east, and a wonderful evening view to the west. From summer to autumn, you can also enjoy the flowers of salvia and sunflowers.
■Opening hours: From sunrise to sunset *Except during snowy periods ■Location: Bibaushi Shinei, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun For details and maps of "Shin-ei Hill View Park," please click here.
8. Roadside Station Biei Okanokura: Where you can buy delicious gourmet food and exclusive souvenirs
Roadside Station Biei Okanokura is a 3-minute walk from JR Biei Station. The building is a renovated grain warehouse made of Biei soft stone built in the early Taisho period, and the interior is made of Biei larch. Inside the building, you can find a variety of souvenirs that can only be purchased here, such as the Koumai Shokudo restaurant where you can eat Biei curry udon, a new local gourmet dish, and woodwork and pottery made in the town.
■Opening hours: March to May, September to November 9:00 to 17:00 / June to August 9:00 to 18:00 / December to February 10:00 to 17:00 ・Komagi Shokudo: 11:00-15:00 (14:30LO) ■Closed: December 31st to January 3rd *Only open in the morning on December 30th ■Address: 1-9-21 Honmachi, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun Click here for details and maps of "Biei Okanokura Roadside Station"
9. If you want to taste freshly squeezed milk, go to Biei Free-grazing Dairy Farm (Biei Farm)
The vast pasture covers an area of about 20 hectares. You can enjoy the leisurely scenery of cows grazing in the rich natural surroundings, as well as the lush green scenery typical of Hokkaido. The production facility next to the store sells pasteurized milk made from freshly squeezed raw milk, as well as soft serve ice cream, pudding, butter, yogurt, and other processed products.
■Opening hours: May to October 20 (Monday) 10:00-17:00 / October 21 (Tuesday) to April 10:00-16:00 ■Closed: New Year's holiday ■Address: 5235 Shinsei Heiwa, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun For details and maps of "Biei Free Range Dairy Farm (Biei Farm)", please click here.
10. The Seven Star Tree, surrounded by a patchwork road
This spot is one of Biei's most famous spots, named after its use in advertising the cigarette brand "Seven Stars." It is surrounded by fields that look like colorful pieces of connected cloth, known as the "Patchwork Road," making it one of Biei's best driving spots. The scenery of potato flowers blooming from June to July and swaying wheat ears is especially recommended.
■Location: Kitaei, Biei Town, Kamikawa District Click here for details and map information of "Seven Star Tree"
*All information listed is current as of May 2025. *All published information may be subject to change, so please check the official website for details.
