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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Stay in Furano for Flower Fields, Skiing, and FunPerfect for couples or groups! Stay in a beautiful house or apartment with quick and easy access to Furano's attractions and stunning nature.View siteSponsored
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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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Shooting Star the Bed & BreakfastOffering a garden and mountain view, Shooting Star the Bed & Breakfast is set in Furano, 5.3 km from Furano Station and 11 km from Windy Garden. There is an in-house restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. The guest house offers a hot tub and free shuttle service. The units in the guest house are equipped with a kettle. Complete with a private bathroom fitted with a bath and slippers, all units at the guest house have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and selected rooms also offer a seating area. The units are equipped with heating facilities. Guests at the guest house can make the most of yoga classes offered on-site. The area is popular for cycling, and free use of bicycles is available at this 1-star guest house. Furano City Office is 5.7 km from Shooting Star the Bed & Breakfast, while Furano Golf Course is 13 km from the property. Asahikawa Airport is 37 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Fenix WestFeaturing 4-star accommodation, Fenix West is located in Furano, 2.9 km from Furano Station and 3.9 km from Windy Garden. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. The aparthotel features family rooms. Some of the units include a satellite flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, and a private bathroom with a bidet and slippers. At the aparthotel, some units are soundproof. 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 City Office is 2.1 km from Fenix West, while Furano Golf Course is 14 km away. Asahikawa Airport is 42 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. A buffet breakfast is available at Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANA. Guests at the accommodation will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing. Furano Golf Course is 13 km from Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANA, while Asahigaoka Park is 2.3 km away. Asahikawa Airport is 42 km from the property.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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Pension GooseberrySet in Furano in the Hokkaido region, with Windy Garden and Photo Gallery Oka-No Shashin-Kan nearby, Pension Gooseberry offers accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking. The 2-star guest house is 5.2 km from Furano Station. Asahigaoka Park is 3.2 km from the guest house and Furano Marche is 4.5 km away. There is a private bathroom with bath in some units, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. Guests at the guest house will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing. Furano City Office is 4.4 km from Pension Gooseberry, while Furano Golf Course is 16 km away. Asahikawa Airport is 45 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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FURANO B&BOffering a shared lounge and quiet street view, FURANO B&B is located in Furano, 2.2 km from Furano City Office and 14 km from Furano Golf Course. 3 km from Furano Station and 4 km from Windy Garden, the property features ski storage space, as well as a garden. The bed and breakfast provides rooms with air conditioning, free private parking and free WiFi. The bed and breakfast offers a seating area with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with slippers, a hair dryer and shower. A fridge and kettle are also featured. At the bed and breakfast, all units include bed linen and towels. Available daily, the breakfast at the property includes continental dishes along with a selection of warm dishes and juice. Guests at the bed and breakfast can enjoy skiing and pub crawls nearby, or make the most of the sun terrace. Asahigaoka Park is 2.2 km from FURANO B&B, while Furano Winery is 4.3 km away. Asahikawa Airport is 42 km from the property.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. At the hotel every room is equipped 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. All units will provide guests with a desk and a kettle. Breakfast is available, and includes buffet, American and Asian options. The area is popular for skiing and cycling, and bike hire is available at Nozo Hotel. Windy Garden is 4.1 km from the accommodation, 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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Hotel Munin FuranoSituated in Furano, 2.8 km from Furano Station, Hotel Munin Furano features accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. With a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 3.8 km from Windy Garden. At the hotel, rooms are fitted with a desk. The rooms in Hotel Munin Furano are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. Guests at the accommodation will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing. Furano City Office is 1.9 km from Hotel Munin Furano, while Furano Golf Course is 13 km from the property. Asahikawa Airport is 42 km away.View on Booking.com
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