EDITORIALS
Biei: 10 recommended driving spots in Biei, Hokkaido! Enjoy the spectacular natural scenery that only a hill town can offer!
Biei, one of Hokkaido's most popular tourist destinations, is famous for its hills. The rolling hills in Biei are perfect for a drive. In this issue, we will introduce some recommended spots in Biei that will make your drive even more enjoyable, such as the spectacular views and famous landmarks that are unique to Biei.
1 . Shirogane Aoi Ike, a classic spot popular for its fantastic blue water surface
Shirohige no Taki Waterfall, the source of Shirogane Aoi Ike's sparkling cobalt blue waters
3 . the colorful flower garden that covers the entire expanse of the hill, "Observatory Flower Garden: Shikisai-no-oka
4 . "Zerubu no Oka/Atumu no Oka" where you can take a stroll in baby carriages or carts among seasonal flowers
5 . " Ken and Mary Tree," a driving spot that became the talk of the town in a TV commercial
6 . "Biei Shirogane Onsen," a hot spring with free-flowing hot spring water to relieve the fatigue of driving
7 . " Shin-ei no Oka Observation Park" where you can enjoy beautiful sunsets and a panoramic view of the hills of Biei
8 . "Michi no Eki Biei Hill-no-Kura" where you can buy delicious gourmet foods and limited-edition souvenirs
9 . "Biei Pasture Dairy Farm (Biei Farm)" to taste freshly squeezed milk
10 . "Seven Star Tree" stands surrounded by patchwork paths
Shirogane Blue Pond, a classic spot popular for its fantastic blue water surface
The mysterious blue surface of the water and the standing dead larch trees create a fantastic scenery at this popular spot. In spring and summer, the pond's blue color appears brilliant amid fresh greenery, in fall the water surface is colored with autumn leaves, and in winter the pond and surrounding trees are lit up with snow. This is a place you will want to visit again and again to see the mysterious scenery that changes with the seasons.
Open all year round
・Lighting up* from the following time until 21:00
November 17:00～ / December 16:30～ / January 17:00～ / February 17:30～ / March 18:00～ / April 18:30
Lighting hours are extended until 2:00 a.m. the next day from December 31 to January 3.
Location：Shirogane, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun
Click here for details and map information of Shirogane Blue Pond
2. "Shirohige Falls," the source of the cobalt blue sparkling Shirogane Blue Pond
The subterranean water from the Tokachidake mountain range that flows out of natural rock formations falls down vigorously, and is classified as a "subterranean waterfall," which is rare in Japan, with a fall of 30 meters. The name comes from the fact that the falling water looks like a white beard. It is one of the tourist attractions in the Biei Shirogane hot spring resort area, and the sight of the cobalt blue Biei River splashing in the water is breathtaking. The Blue River water flowing under the bridge is the source of the Blue Pond.
Open all year round
Lighting hours (from the following hours until 21:00)
November 17:00～ / December 16:30～ / January 17:00～ / February 17:30～ / March 18:00～ / April 18:30～ / May - October 18:00～
Location：Shirogane, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun
Click here for details and map information of Shirohige Falls
3. Colorful flower fields spreading all over the vast hill, "Flower Garden with a View: Shikisaino-Oka
This popular flower garden covers an area of 15 hectares, where dozens of colorful flowers bloom. Visitors can enjoy dozens of different kinds of flowers from spring to fall, including tulips and pansies in spring, poppies and lupines in early summer, lavenders and sunflowers in summer, and cosmos and kochia in autumn. The gently undulating hills with the Tokachi Mountain range in the background are well worth a visit. The park also has an agricultural produce stand, a restaurant, and an alpaca farm for the whole family to enjoy.
Opening hours: Regularly
January-April: 9:10-17:00 / May and October: 8:40-17:00 / June-September: 8:40-17:30 / November-December: 9:10-16:30
Alpaca farm closes 30 minutes before closing.
Closed: December 31 - January 1
Fees: July-September: 500 yen for high school students and older / 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students / free for infants
Admission to various rides and alpaca farm is charged.
Location: Shinsei Daisan, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun
Click here for details and map information of "Observatory Flower Field: Shikisaino-Oka ".
4. "Zerubu no Oka/Atumu no Oka" where you can stroll among seasonal flowers by baby carriage or cart
Against the backdrop of the powerful natural beauty of Mt. Asahidake and the Tokachi Mountain range, "Zerubu no Oka/Atumu no Oka" is located on a gently sloping hill along Route 237, where about 30 types of flowers including lavender, sunflowers, and poppies are in full bloom. You can also view the Ken and Mary tree from the observation deck and take a baby carriage cart around the park.
Open: Late April to early October 9:00-17:00
Closed: irregular holidays *Closed during winter
Fees
Baby carriage experience: 500 yen per lap for 1 rider / 800 yen per lap for 2 riders
Kart experience: 1 lap around the course 2,000 yen for 4-5 people *Available for 2 or more people.
Minimum age for driving: 16 years old
■Location: Daiso, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun
Click here for details and map information of "Zerubu no Oka/Atumu no Oka
5. "Ken and Mary's Tree," a driving spot that became the talk of the town through a commercial
This is one of the landscapes that symbolize Biei, which became famous in 1972 when it appeared in a Nissan Skyline commercial. The unique name was given after the characters "Ken" and "Mary" in the commercial. It is also a popular driving and photography spot.
Location: Okubo Kyosei, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun
Click here for details and map information of "Ken and Mary's Tree
6. "Biei Shirogane Onsen," a hot spring with free-flowing hot spring water to relieve the fatigue of driving
Located at the foot of the mountains overlooking the Tokachi Mountain Range, this is a hot spring resort where you can enjoy the rich natural scenery of the mountains and their surroundings, warming your body and soul. The road leading to Shirogane Onsen is a 4-kilometer-long shirakaba highway lined with birch forests. It is also close to Aoi Ike (Blue Pond) and Shirohige no Taki Waterfall, so you can enjoy the clean spring water from the hot spring while touring the sightseeing spots in Biei.
Operating hours *Vary according to each facility, so please check the official website of each facility for details.
Rates ※Depends on the facility, so please check the official website for details.
Location: Shirogane, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun
Click here for details and map information of Biei Shirogane Onsen.
7. "Shin-ei Hill Observation Park" overlooking the beautiful sunset and the hills of Biei
This observation park is recommended as a stopover spot for driving and cycling. You can enjoy a 360-degree view of the hills of Biei, with the Tokachidake mountain range and colorful patchwork hills on the east side, and a wonderful sunset view on the west side. From summer to autumn, you can also enjoy the flowers of salvia and sunflowers.
Business hours: Sunrise to sunset *Except during snow season
Location：Shin-ei, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun
Click here for details and map information of Shin-ei Hill Observation Park.
8. "Michi no Eki Biei: Hillside Club" where you can buy delicious gourmet foods and unique souvenirs
Michi no Eki Biei Hill-no-Kura" is a 3-minute walk from JR Biei Station. It is a renovated grain warehouse made of Biei soft stone built in the early Taisho era (1912-1926), and the interior is decorated with larch from Biei. Inside the building, you will find "Kamugi Shokudo" where you can enjoy Biei curry udon, a new local gourmet dish, and many souvenirs such as woodwork and ceramics made in the town that you can only find here.
Open: June - August 9:00 - 18:00 / September - May 9:00 - 17:00
Shang Mugi Restaurant: 11:00-14:30 (LO)
Closed: December 31-January 3
Location: 1-9-21 Honmachi, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun
Click here for details and map information of Michi no Eki Biei Hill-no-Kura.
9. "Biei Pasture Dairy Farm (Biei Farm)" for tasting freshly squeezed milk
Biei Pasture Dairy Farm is a vast pasture covering an area of about 20 hectares. You can enjoy the relaxing scenery of cows grazing in the rich nature and the lush Hokkaido landscape. At the production facility attached to the store, pasteurized milk and soft-serve ice cream made from freshly squeezed raw milk, as well as processed products such as pudding, butter, and yogurt are sold.
Open: May-October 10:00-17:00 / November-April 10:00-16:00
Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays
Location：5235 Shinsei Heiwa, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun
Click here for details and map information of Biei Grazing Dairy Farm (Biei Farm )
10. "Seven Star Tree" stands surrounded by patchwork paths
The Seven Star Tree is one of the representative spots in Biei, named after the cigarette brand "Seven Star" for which it was used for PR purposes. It is one of the best driving spots in Biei, surrounded by the "Road of Patchwork," where fields look like colorful cloth strung together, and the scenery from June to July when potato flowers bloom and ears of wheat sway is especially recommended.
Location: Hokuei, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun
Click here for details and map information on "Seven Star Tree."
All information is current as of April 2024.
All information is subject to change. Please check the official website for details.
