Biei (美瑛) is a small town surrounded by a picturesque landscape of gently rolling hills and vast fields. A pleasant way to enjoy the charm of Biei is by cycling or driving through the hills and visiting some of the flower fields and famous trees. The area northwest of the town center is named "Patchwork Road" and the area south of the town center "Panorama Road".
Patchwork Road
Named after the appearance of its fields seen from above, the Patchwork Road (パッチワークの路, Patchwork no Michi) is the scenic area northwest of Biei's town center. Note that it refers to an area rather than a single road. It offers beautiful rural landscapes around the year, especially during the green and colorful summer and autumn months and during winter when everything is covered under a deep layer of snow.
Over the years, the area's beauty has attracted the attention of marketing professionals, and some trees were used in commercials or for package label designs. Among these famous trees are a row of larch trees on the Mild Seven Hill (from a cigarette commercial), a poplar named Ken and Mary Tree (from a car commercial) and the Seven Star Tree (which appeared on cigarette packages). A group of oak trees is known as the Parents and Child Tree.
Other sites of interest in the Patchwork Road area are the Hokusei Hill Observatory, a pyramid structure that offers nice views over the fields of Biei and the Zerubu Hill, a flower park which can be explored not only on foot but also by various types of carts.
Panorama Road
Like the Patchwork Road, the Panorama Road (パノラマロード) is an area rather than a single road. It offers much of the same rural and scenic beauty as the Patchwork Road and is ideal for exploration by car or bicycle, although some people will prefer electrically powered bicycles due to the hilly terrain.
Among the area's highlights is Shikisai Hill, a spacious flower park with various flower fields (including lavender), which can be viewed by walking along the trails, by renting carts or by taking a ride on tractor-pulled wagons. In winter, snow mobiles are available. Another, smaller flower park is Kanno Farm, located along the main road between Biei and Furano.
Also worth a visit is the Takushinkan, an exhibition hall with beautiful landscape photography by renowned photographer Maeda Shinzo and his eldest son Akira. The exhibition displays landscape photographs from across Japan with an emphasis on photos from Biei.
Getting there and around
Biei is located between Asahikawa and Furano, about a 30-40 minutes car or train ride from either city. The train ride cost 640 yen from Asahikawa and 750 yen from Furano. There is about one train per hour.
Biei is also located close to Asahikawa Airport and can be reached from there directly by the Lavender-go bus (15 minutes, 380 yen, one bus every 1-2 hours), which connects Asahikawa Station with Asahikawa Airport, Biei and Furano.
Rental bicycles (including electrically powered ones) are available from multiple stores in central Biei. The typical rate is 200 yen per hour for a regular bicycle and 600 yen per hour for an electrical one.
During summer, the sights of Biei are visited by various sightseeing buses starting from Furano, Biei and Asahikawa stations.
How to get to and around Furano and Biei
Hours and Fees
Shikisai Hill
Hours
8:40 to 17:00 (May and October)
9:10 to 17:00 (January to April)
9:10 to 16:30 (November and December)
Closed
Admission
Zerubu Hill
Hours
Closed
Admission
Kanno Farm
Hours
Closed
Admission
Takushinkan Photo Gallery
Hours
Closed
Admission
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Furano
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AIR FURANOSituated in Furano, 2.5 km from Furano Station, AIR FURANO features accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. With free WiFi, this 3-star hotel has a restaurant and a bar. The hotel offers a hot tub and room service. All rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a desk. The units have a private bathroom, slippers and bed linen. The area is popular for skiing and cycling, and bike hire is available at the hotel. Popular points of interest near AIR FURANO include Furano City Office, Asahigaoka Park and Furano Marche. Asahikawa Airport is 42 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Hanafuji InnSituated in Furano, 7.9 km from Furano Station, Hotel Hanafuji Inn features accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant. The 2-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 12 km from Windy Garden. At the hotel, the rooms come with a desk. Hotel Hanafuji Inn provides some rooms with mountain views, and the rooms include a kettle. All rooms in the accommodation are fitted with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. A continental breakfast is available each morning at Hotel Hanafuji Inn. Guests at the hotel will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing. Furano City Office is 8.2 km from Hotel Hanafuji Inn, while Furano Golf Course is 18 km from the property. Asahikawa Airport is 33 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Cottage Morino NakamatachiSet in Furano in the Hokkaido region, with Asahigaoka Park nearby, Cottage Morino Nakamatachi offers accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking. Every unit features a private bathroom and shower, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and a fridge. A microwave, a stovetop and toaster are also featured, as well as a kettle. Guests can relax in the garden at the property. Furano Station is 3.1 km from the lodge, while Windy Garden is 3.6 km away. Asahikawa Airport is 43 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANALocated in Furano, 2.8 km from Furano Station, Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANA provides accommodation with free bikes, free private parking, a shared lounge and a restaurant. 4.1 km from Windy Garden and 2 km from Furano City Office, the property features ski-to-door access and ski storage space. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, a shuttle service, room service and free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a shared bathroom with a bidet. Selected rooms are fitted with a kitchen with a microwave. At Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANA each room includes bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the accommodation. Guests at Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANA will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing. Furano Golf Course is 13 km from the hotel, while Asahigaoka Park is 2.3 km away. Asahikawa Airport is 42 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Fenix WestLocated in Furano, Fenix West provides 4-star accommodation with private balconies. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. The aparthotel features family rooms. The units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a fridge, a coffee machine, a bidet, slippers and a wardrobe. All units have a private bathroom equipped with a shower and a hair dryer, while some rooms here will provide you with a fully equipped kitchen fitted with a dishwasher. At the aparthotel, the units are fitted with bed linen and towels. There is a coffee shop on-site. A ski equipment rental service, ski-to-door access and ski storage space are all featured at the aparthotel, and guests can go skiing in the surroundings. Furano Station is 2.9 km from Fenix West, while Windy Garden is 3.9 km away. Asahikawa Airport is 42 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Guest House EBISANFeaturing 1-star accommodation, Guest House EBISAN is set in Furano, 21 km from Furano Station and 22 km from Windy Garden. This guest house offers free private parking, a concierge service and free WiFi. The accommodation provides bicycle parking and a shared lounge for guests. At the guest house, the units are fitted with a tatami. The units feature a shared bathroom, slippers and bed linen. Guests at the guest house will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing, cycling and hiking. Furano City Office is 21 km from Guest House EBISAN, while Furano Golf Course is 26 km away. The nearest airport is Asahikawa Airport, 61 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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La Vista Furano Hills Natural Hot SpringSituated in Furano, 300 metres from Furano Station, La Vista Furano Hills Natural Hot Spring features accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking and a restaurant. The 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a shared bathroom and free WiFi. The hotel offers a sauna and a 24-hour front desk. All units in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. All rooms in La Vista Furano Hills Natural Hot Spring are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. At the accommodation guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot spring bath. Windy Garden is 5.7 km from La Vista Furano Hills Natural Hot Spring, while Furano City Office is less than 1 km from the property. Asahikawa Airport is 41 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Pension LavenderA 10-minute taxi ride from JR Furano Train Station, the completely non-smoking Pension Lavender offers a homely lounge with a wood-burning stove and a large flat-screen TV. The heated rooms have free Wi-Fi. The simply furnished, Western-style rooms at Lavender Pension have a lamp and a nightstand. Matching floral patterns decorate the beds and curtains. Some rooms have a private bathroom. The pension is 4 km from Furano Ski Resort and a 25-minute drive from Farm Tomita. Asahigaoka Park is 1.7 km away. On-site parking is free. Free tea and instant coffee are provided at the lounge, and the terrace offers mountain views. You can enjoy a DVD or use the free Wi-Fi, and slippers are provided. Luggage storage and safe deposit are available at the front desk. A Western breakfast set is served at the dining room, which has tall windows and potted plants.View on Booking.com -
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Nozo HotelLocated in Furano, 3.1 km from Furano Station, Nozo Hotel provides accommodation with a fitness centre, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a kids' club and an ATM. Guests can use the spa and wellness centre with a sauna, and hot tub, as well as a bar. All units at the hotel come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. At Nozo Hotel every room is equipped with bed linen and towels. A buffet, American or Asian breakfast can be enjoyed at the property. The area is popular for skiing and cycling, and bike hire is available at the accommodation. Windy Garden is 4.1 km from Nozo Hotel, while Furano City Office is 2.2 km away. Asahikawa Airport is 42 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Chalet FuyuriJust a 1-minute walk from Kita-no-Mine Gondola Station at Furano Ski Resort, Chalet Fuyuri offers apartment-style accommodations with a living room and kitchen. Free wired Wi-Fi is available and guests can sit on the spacious sofa and watch DVDs on the flat-screen TV. A free shuttle is available from JR Furano Train Station, which is a 10-minute drive away. The air-conditioned apartments have a balcony, a dining area and a loft. An all-in-one washer/dryer is provided, while the full kitchen comes with a stove, a microwave, a toaster and a fridge. Guests can cook their own meals using the provided kitchenware and electric kettle. Bathrobes and slippers come with the en suite bathroom. Outdoor activities such as rafting, fishing and hot air balloon rides can be arranged at the front desk. Rental laptops are available and guests can request for a free shuttle to tour Furano city. Fuyuri Chalet is a 15-minute drive from Furano Cheese Factory and Furano Wine Factory. No meals are served.View on Booking.com
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