Biei travel guide and discussion

🌿 Introduction to Fukiage Onsen Fukiage Onsen is a natural open-air hot spring located at an altitude of approximately 1,000m on the slopes of Mt. Tokachidake in Kamifurano, Hokkaido. 🛁 Free / Open 24 Hours Admission is free • Available 24 hours a day, year-round There are almost no facilities; it is simply a natural open-air bath It is a mixed bath with no gender separation; there are no changing rooms 📍 Address: Fukiage Onsen, Kamifurano-cho, Hokkaido, Japan (〒071-0500) Hokkaido Tourism Official Website 💧 Hot Spring Water Characteristics: Naturally flowing hot spring water with an acidic, sodium, calcium, chloride, and sulfate composition. ⛰️ Atmosphere: Surrounded by mountains and forests, it is a place full of wild vibes; the healing experience of enjoying a hot spring in nature is its greatest charm. Key Points 🚗 How to get to Fukiage Onsen 🚆 By Public Transportation JR Furano Line Get off at *Kamifurano Station* Bus Take the Kamifurano Bus towards Tokachidake Onsen Get off at the Fukiage Onsen Health Center stop Then walk down a forest path for about 5 minutes, and you will see the hot spring. ⚠️ Buses do not run frequently, so you need to check the schedule in advance. 🚗 By Car Takes about 55 to 90 minutes by rental car from Furano city center or Asahikawa Airport There is a small parking lot (about 30 spaces), but be careful as the signage may not be very noticeable! 🛁 Etiquette for visiting free open-air hot springs in Japan For free open-air hot springs like Fukiage that are used in their natural state, it is really important to be considerate of the surrounding environment and other users! ✨ ✔️ Basic Manners Since changing rooms are often unavailable, preparation is required. Preparing a simple wrap towel, swimsuit, and beach towel will allow you to enjoy the experience comfortably and without any hassle. Pro Tip: Instead of wearing underwear under your clothes, it is recommended to wear your swimsuit in advance. 🤫 The Water is Natural Since hot spring water is not regulated by temperature control or facility maintenance, some areas may be too hot. You may need to let it cool down slightly before entering, or adjust the temperature using surrounding water. · Take all your trash with you. · Do not damage the land or the area around the hot spring. · Use only the designated path. · Be quiet and considerate. · No loud noises, as it is a quiet place in nature. · Be mindful of eye contact and distance from others. · Be careful when taking photos. · Do not photograph other people's faces or bodies! · Focus only on capturing the natural scenery.

Here is your winter rental car itinerary for Hokkaido. Visit iconic trees in snowy fields, a vibrant blue waterfall, and romantic wooden cottages glowing in the dark. Save this route for your next trip! 🤍 📍 Starting Point: Asahikawa → Biei Pick up your rental car and start your journey. Just watching the landscape transform into endless white fields is exciting enough! Take it slow on this trip, allowing extra time for winter road conditions and scenic photo stops. 🌳 Stop 1 | Ken & Mary Tree A majestic tree standing tall on a vast hill. When blanketed in snow, it creates a simple yet striking scene—the perfect start to a Biei trip with those signature Hokkaido vibes. ❄️ Stop 2 | Mild Seven Hills Take in the rolling slopes and tree lines in their winter coat. The beauty lies in the soft mountain contours and the vast white expanse. It’s as peaceful as looking at a painting. 🎄 Stop 3 | Christmas Tree The famous solitary Christmas tree in the middle of a snowy field. This minimalist spot is stunning without needing any extra elements! Note: You must plan your visit carefully as there is no parking lot and stopping on the road in front of the tree is strictly prohibited. 💙 Stop 4 | Shirahige Waterfall Transition from snowy fields to a dramatic waterfall cascading down a cliff. With snow clinging to the rocks and trees contrasting against the water below, it’s a spot where you’ll want to linger for a while. 🛖 Final Stop | Ningle Terrace, Furano End your day at these charming wooden cottages nestled in the forest. I recommend arriving before dark so you can watch the lights come on. The warm glow against the snow-covered roofs creates a fairytale atmosphere. Browse the local crafts to finish your trip on a high note. ✨ 🧣 Travel Tips ✨ Start your day early because winter days are short, and you should allow more driving time than usual. ✨ Ensure your car has winter tires, drive cautiously based on road conditions, and check the weather before heading out. ✨ Take photos only from designated areas. Do not walk into farmland, even if it is covered in snow. ✨ If you are heading back to stay in Asahikawa after visiting Ningle Terrace, be prepared for night driving.

🌨️ A winter scene so stunning you’ll never want to look away. Shirahige Waterfall in Biei, Hokkaido, transforms into a living painting when the rocks and trees are blanketed in soft, fluffy snow. 💦 Known as the "White Beard Waterfall," its streams flow gracefully over the cliffs like delicate silk threads. The contrast of the cascading water against the snow-dusted rock faces creates an enchanting, timeless charm. 🩵 The vibrant blue hue of the river pops brilliantly against the stark white snow. As you look down at the water weaving through the icy boulders, the colors seem even more vivid. Depending on the light and weather, the shades of blue can shift beautifully. 📸 The bridge offers the ultimate vantage point. It’s the perfect spot to capture the waterfall, cliffs, and river all in one frame. Pro tip: try a vertical shot to capture the snowy peaks down to the rushing water—it’s a guaranteed masterpiece! 🌲 The surrounding landscape is just as captivating. Snow-laden branches and the vast white forest make you feel like you’ve stepped into another world. Even the snow-covered buildings look like something out of a fairy tale. 🧣 Bundle up! The wind on the bridge can be biting. Make sure to wear gloves, a hat, and non-slip boots. Take your time walking, as the paths can get icy. 📍 Location: Shirogane Onsen, Biei, Hokkaido, Japan. If you're driving a rental, remember to keep a snow brush/scraper handy. 🤍 If you’re a fan of fluffy snow and turquoise waters, save this spot. It’s one of those Hokkaido views where the sheer beauty makes every bit of the cold worth it.

Hotel Amanek Asahikawa in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido, is a hotel near the station, just a 3-minute walk from JR Asahikawa Station. With a design that embraces the warmth of birch wood, the top floor features a panoramic public bath. It’s a convenient location as a base for sightseeing in Asahikawa and exploring Northern Hokkaido. ① 17th Floor Observation Bath "Shiki-no-Yu" The top-floor public bath is open from 3:00 PM to 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM. On clear days, you can look out over the Tokachi Mountain Range, and the view changes with the seasons and weather. ② Enjoy the Tastes of Hokkaido for Breakfast The 3rd-floor breakfast venue offers a buffet where you can enjoy dishes inspired by the local flavors of Asahikawa and Hokkaido. ③ 3-Minute Walk from the Station & Rooms with Wooden Warmth All rooms feature Simmons beds. There are multiple types of guest rooms available; the photos provided are just examples. [Location] 1-jo-dori 8-chome 218, Asahikawa, Hokkaido [Access] Approx. 3-minute walk from JR Asahikawa Station [Notes] Partner parking is ¥1,000 per 24 hours. The view is weather-dependent. Basic room amenities mainly consist of towels and toothbrushes; please confirm for additional items. If you're thinking of traveling to the Asahikawa, Furano, or Biei areas, save this as a potential place to stay!

Popura Farm, home to the famous Melon Santanohige, is an iconic roadside gem sitting right in the heart of Furano’s rolling farmlands, a must-stop on every Hokkaido road trip. That bold bright red storefront is hard to miss, set against endless open skies and vast farm fields, instantly setting that classic Hokkaido rural mood. This spot lives and breathes premium Furano melon. Santanohige melon is their star — sweet, fragrant, and incredibly juicy. You can grab fresh whole melons as edible souvenirs, perfect to bring home or gift. But the real crowd favourite is their melon soft-serve ice cream, served inside a hollowed melon half. Creamy, rich, and packed with intense melon flavour, it’s the signature treat everyone comes for. They also serve melon juice, melon parfaits and other melon-themed drinks and desserts. There are plenty of wooden picnic tables and shaded outdoor seating, so you can slow down, sit back, and enjoy your dessert while soaking up the wide-open countryside view. It’s a great place to stretch your legs after long driving stretches. Since it’s a working farm shop, stock is seasonal and limited; popular items can sell out fast, especially on busy sunny days. It’s straightforward, no fancy frills — just honest, amazing melon goodness and postcard-perfect scenery. Super photogenic, and it fits seamlessly into your Furano-Biei self-drive route. Whether you’re chasing that viral melon soft serve or hunting for premium melon gifts, Popura Farm delivers that classic Hokkaido farm taste you’ve been dreaming of. #popurafarm #furano #Santanohige #Hokkaidomelon

From the ethereal turquoise of Biei’s Blue Pond and the crystal-clear ice-blue streams beneath forest waterfalls, to the soft blue of Mt. Yotei shrouded in mist and mirrored on the water, and finally, the vast, deep indigo of Lake Toya. Each is a shade of blue, yet they evoke entirely different moods shaped by light, mountains, forests, and water. My favorite part of traveling is stumbling upon a color thread like this that weaves different landscapes together. Blue Pond, the waterfalls, Mt. Yotei, or Lake Toya — which one do you want to witness in person?

In the quiet heart of Biei’s rolling countryside, Shirahige Waterfall rises as one of Hokkaido’s most hypnotic natural masterpieces, its name translating to “White‑Beard Waterfall”, a poetic nod to its long, frothy cascading streams. Unlike thunderous, roaring waterfalls, this place casts a softer, almost mystical spell. Water seeps out from cracks in the sheer basalt cliff face, spilling down in countless thin milky‑white ribbons instead of one single heavy plunge. Streams fan across the dark rock, flowing like strands of silvery beard hanging down toward the vivid turquoise river below, creating a surreal, painterly contrast between jet‑black stone, foamy white water and brilliant aquamarine water. The magic shifts dramatically with every season. Summer brings lush green foliage framing the cliff, bright sunlight filtering through tree canopy to glint across every thread of falling water. Autumn wraps the surrounding forest in blazing red and gold foliage, setting fiery tones against the pale waterfall. Winter transforms the scene into a frozen wonderland; partial icicles cling to the rock, mist hangs heavy in frigid air, and patches of running water still trickle through ice, hauntingly beautiful under overcast grey skies. An elevated observation deck gives unobstructed panoramic views right above the gorge. There is no admission fee, yet arrive early. Golden hour, sunrise and dusk deliver the most soul‑stirring light; midday harsh flat light strips away much of its dream‑like atmosphere. Free roadside parking sits a short walk away. Wear sturdy footwear, the viewing platform area can be damp and windy. Many travellers rush through Biei chasing colourful flower patches, yet overlook this quiet gorge. Shirahige Waterfall is not a loud, dramatic crashing cascade. Its power lies in subtle ethereal beauty — delicate flowing threads of water carved into ancient volcanic rock. It is a place for slow contemplation, to stand and absorb the quiet raw magic of Hokkaido’s volcanic landscape. #Shirahegefalls #biei #hokkaido #furano

Japan offers a wealth of travel options, but these 5 routes are perfect for different styles, covering big cities, culture, nature, snow, and food. 🇯🇵✈️ 🏙️ 01. Golden Route — Tokyo → Fuji → Kyoto → Osaka The classic route for a first-time trip to Japan. 🗼 Tokyo → Metropolis + Shopping + Culture 🗻 Fuji → Mount Fuji views + Lakes 🏯 Kyoto → Temples + Japanese culture 🌆 Osaka → Food + Shopping + Entertainment Best for: First Trip • City • Culture • Food 🗓️ Recommended: 7–10 days ⸻ ❄️ 02. Hokkaido Route — Sapporo → Otaru → Furano → Biei A route for nature lovers and cooler climates. ❄️ Sapporo → Main city + Food ⚓ Otaru → Canal town + Romantic atmosphere 🌸 Furano → Flower fields and nature 🌳 Biei → Rolling hills + Beautiful landscapes Best for: Nature • Food • Winter • Photography 🗓️ Recommended: 5–7 days ☃️ Winter → Snow 🌸 Summer → Flowers and nature ⸻ 🏔️ 03. Japanese Alps Route — Nagoya → Takayama → Shirakawa-go → Kanazawa Mountains + Old towns + Traditional Japan 🏙️ Nagoya → Starting point 🏘️ Takayama → Old town + Mountains 🏡 Shirakawa-go → Thatched-roof village 🏯 Kanazawa → Gardens + Old town + Culture Best for: Mountain • Old Town • Traditional Japan • Photography 🗓️ Recommended: 5–7 days ⸻ 🌊 04. Kyushu Route — Fukuoka → Yufuin → Beppu → Aso → Kumamoto A route for those seeking local vibes and nature 🍜 Fukuoka → Food + City life ♨️ Yufuin → Onsen town + Mountains ♨️ Beppu → Hot springs 🌋 Aso → Volcanoes + Grasslands 🏯 Kumamoto → Castle + History Best for: Food • Onsen • Nature • Slow Travel 🗓️ Recommended: 6–8 days ⸻ 🏯 05. Tohoku Route — Sendai → Yamadera → Ginzan Onsen → Aomori A route to see another side of Japan 🌆 Sendai → The hub of Tohoku ⛰️ Yamadera → Mountain temple + Scenic views ♨️ Ginzan Onsen → Nostalgic hot spring town 🍎 Aomori → Nature + Food + Apples Best for: Onsen • Mountains • Winter • Local Japan 🗓️ Recommended: 6–8 days ❄️ Winter → Incredible snow scenery and hot springs ⸻ 🧭 Choose a Route Based on Your Style 🇯🇵 First Timers → Golden Route ❄️ Snow + Nature → Hokkaido 🏔️ Mountains + Old Towns → Japanese Alps ♨️ Onsen + Food → Kyushu 🏯 Local Japan + Onsen → Tohoku 💡 Trip Duration Guide 3–4 Days → Tokyo or Osaka + Day Trip 5–7 Days → Selected cities on the Golden Route / Hokkaido / Alps 7–10 Days → Tokyo → Fuji → Kyoto → Osaka 10–14 Days → Add Hiroshima / Kanazawa / Takayama or explore more regions 🇯🇵 Tip: You don't need to try to visit every region in one trip because the distances are quite large. Sticking to 1 Route + 1–2 Day Trips usually makes for a more comfortable trip and gives you more time to actually enjoy each city.

On my trip to Hokkaido, I made sure to venture beyond Sapporo to soak in some incredible nature. 🥰 First, I headed to a spot with quintessential Hokkaido views. 🌿✨ Lush green pastures stretching to the horizon and mountains peaking in the distance. ⛰️ Just taking in the scenery made me exclaim, "I’m finally in Hokkaido!" It felt so refreshing. 🥹💕 🍦 Heading to Biei Farm! I visited Biei Farm specifically for those iconic Hokkaido landscapes. 🐄🌿 The sight of rolling green hills and distant mountain peaks is just breathtaking. 🏔️✨ The sheer scale of it all really makes you feel like you’ve arrived in Hokkaido. 🥰 And you can't come here without getting the soft-serve ice cream! 🍦🤍 Made with fresh milk straight from the farm, it’s incredibly rich yet has a surprisingly clean finish. ✨ Enjoying it while gazing at the view was the absolute best. ♡ There are benches available, so I highly recommend taking a break and just soaking in the scenery. 🌿 ⸻ 🍫 A Visit to Shiroi Koibito Park! While in Sapporo, I also stopped by Shiroi Koibito Park. 🍫🤍 Since it’s a theme park dedicated to sweets, the buildings and gardens are so cute—it’s a joy just to wander around. ✨ Plus, they have a wonderful birthday perk! 🎂 It’s valid for a three-day window (your birthday plus the day before and after). If you show proof of your birthday at the ticket center, you’ll receive a Shiroi Koibito soft-serve ice cream 🍦 and an original birthday badge. ✨ Just a heads-up: this requires paid admission to the park, so keep that in mind if you’re only going for the ice cream. ⚠️ It’s such a lovely treat for a birthday trip. 🥰 I’d definitely go for the soft-serve! 🍦 lol ⸻ 🌃 A Night in Susukino! For the evening, I headed to Susukino in Sapporo. 🌃✨ With all the massive billboards and neon lights, the vibe is completely different from Hokkaido’s daytime scenery! Walking through the night streets—which felt so "quintessentially Sapporo"—was a blast. 🥰 Hokkaido is truly wonderful because you get to enjoy both breathtaking nature and vibrant city life. ✨

If you're visiting Hokkaido and looking for a great value hotel in a prime location with easy access to other cities, I highly recommend this one! 📌 Hotel Wing International Asahikawa Ekimae The price is amazing, starting at just 2,000 yuan! Plus, the location is superb, right next to JR Asahikawa station. It's also close to shopping areas, with Aeon mall directly across the street. Perfect for shoppers and foodies! Importantly, it's super convenient for taking the train or renting a car to explore nearby cities like Biei and Furano. #JapanTravel #Hokkaido #HotelReview #TravelPlan

Travel Dates: Dec 2–11 This trip covers every Hokkaido vibe imaginable ☃️ 🏙️ Sapporo: Strolling, shopping, and savoring local delicacies ❄️ Otaru: Exploring the romantic Otaru Canal and its charming streets 🐻 Asahikawa: The zoo and iconic local ramen 💙 Biei – Furano: Shirogane Blue Pond, waterfalls, and Ningle Terrace ⛷️ Furano: Skiing through the fresh powder snow ♨️ Jozankei: Relaxing in therapeutic hot springs (onsen) 🌋 Noboribetsu: Exploring the geothermal Jigokudani (Hell Valley) 🏔️ Lake Toya: Scenic lake views and more onsen relaxation Wrap up with a final shopping spree in Sapporo before heading home ✈️ 10 days and 9 nights filled with snow, breathtaking views, amazing food, and unforgettable memories in Hokkaido 🤍❄️ See you again, Hokkaido. 🇯🇵 A self-guided trip.

A perfect snowy getaway from Sapporo that features everything from penguins and vast white landscapes to the Blue Pond, a fairy-tale village, and snow rafting activities. This plan is ideal for those who prefer not to drive on icy winter roads! 🤍 📍 DAY 1: Sapporo → Asahikawa Start your journey around 7:30 AM via the Limited Express Lilac or Kamui train from Sapporo to Asahikawa (approx. 1 hour 25 minutes). These express trains have all-reserved seating, so it's highly recommended to book in advance. Drop off your bags at OMO7 Asahikawa, then take bus #41 or #47 to Asahiyama Zoo (approx. 40 minutes). The bus fare is around ¥500, and adult admission to the zoo is about ¥1,000. During winter, don't miss the famous Penguin Walk, though the schedule may vary depending on snow conditions. 🐧 In the evening, head back to the city for a bowl of authentic Asahikawa-style shoyu ramen at Asahikawa Ramen Village or Ramen Santoka (Budget: ¥1,000–1,500). 🏨 Stay: OMO7 Asahikawa (Estimated ¥25,000–40,000 per room). 📍 DAY 2: Asahikawa → Biei → Furano Take the JR Furano Line to Biei (approx. 35 minutes), then hire a Sightseeing Taxi for 3–3.5 hours (approx. ¥25,000–29,000 per car). This is a great option for sharing between 2–4 people since public transport is infrequent during the winter. Recommended route: Christmas Tree → Shirogane Blue Pond → Shirahige Falls. Before moving on, enjoy lunch at JUNPEI—their famous Ebi-don (shrimp bowl) is a must (Budget: ¥1,500–2,500). 🍤 In the afternoon, take a 40-minute train ride to Furano. Check into your hotel, then stop by Mori no Tokei Café before strolling through Ningle Terrace, a charming wooden cottage village nestled in the snowy forest. It becomes incredibly beautiful and romantic when the lights come on in the evening. Admission is free. ✨ 🏨 Stay: Shin Furano Prince Hotel (Estimated ¥35,000–70,000 per room). 📍 DAY 3: Furano Snow Day After breakfast, head to Furano Snow Land right in front of the hotel. Enjoy activities like Snow Rafting (a rubber raft towed by a snowmobile), snowmobiling, and other winter fun. Budget around ¥2,000–8,000 depending on the activity and distance. Advance booking is recommended. 🛷 For lunch, we recommend the omelet curry at Yuiga Doxon (Budget: ¥1,500–2,500). Then, treat yourself to cheesecake or pudding at Furano Delice (Budget: ¥800–1,500) before taking the train back to Sapporo via Takikawa (approx. 2.5 hours). 💴 Estimated Budget Per Person (Based on 2 people sharing a room and taxi) · Hotels: ¥30,000–55,000 · Transportation: ¥24,000–29,000 · Food & Cafes: ¥8,000–12,000 · Entrance Fees & Activities: ¥4,000–10,000 · Total: Approx. ¥66,000–106,000 (roughly 14,200–22,800 THB). Pro Tip: Consider purchasing the 4-day Sapporo–Furano Area Pass for ¥11,000. Always check the schedule daily and allow an extra 30–45 minutes for travel, as heavy snow can cause train or bus delays. All prices are estimates and do not include airfare. ☃️

Biei is a charming small town in Hokkaido renowned for its vast fields, rolling hills, and picturesque natural landscapes that look just like a painting. It’s a dream destination for photography enthusiasts and those seeking a relaxing getaway in the Japanese countryside. 📍 Must-Visit Check-in Spots · Shirogane Blue Pond: Featuring crystal-clear azure waters, this is one of Biei’s most iconic landmarks. · Shikisai no Oka: A vibrant panoramic flower garden with around 30 species of flowers blooming seasonally. · Shirahige Falls: The "White Beard Falls," where water cascades beautifully down a cliffside. · Patchwork Road / Patchwork Hills: A scenic route through agricultural fields of varying colors, offering some of Biei’s most popular photo opportunities. 🌿 When to Go: Visit from summer to early autumn to witness the vibrant flower fields and lush scenery. Alternatively, winter transforms the landscape into a romantic, snow-covered wonderland. 🚗 Getting Around: Renting a car is the most convenient option as the sights are spread out across the area. However, some spots like the Blue Pond are accessible by bus from JR Biei Station. 💙 If you're heading to Hokkaido and love nature, Biei is a must-add to your itinerary. Each season offers its own unique and breathtaking beauty.

Step into Hokkaido's northern hidden gems, where Furano and Biei unfold with rolling hills and breathtaking vistas. At Shikisai-no-Oka, vibrant rainbow flower fields drape across the hillsides against the backdrop of the distant Daisetsuzan mountain range. You can even hop on a tractor bus for a leisurely stroll through this endless sea of blooms. Heading toward Biei, discover the mysterious Shirogane Blue Pond. Its ethereal blue waters and the silhouettes of withered trees reflecting on the surface create a scene straight out of a fairy tale, shimmering brilliantly under the sunlight. Then, make your way to Mount Kurodake. Take a ropeway to the summit for a panoramic view of the vast alpine landscape and experience the majestic grandeur of Daisetsuzan National Park. From the rustic charm of Furano to the rolling fields of Biei, capture the full essence of northern romance. It’s a paradise for nature lovers—every single shot looks like a postcard.

Asahikawa is one of Hokkaido's major cities, offering a peaceful atmosphere and a relaxing travel experience. It serves as a perfect gateway to the island's stunning natural landscapes, making it ideal for families and photography enthusiasts alike. 📍 Must-Visit Check-in Spots · Asahiyama Zoo: Get up close with wildlife, especially the famous penguins and polar bears. · Asahikawa Ramen Village: A hub of renowned ramen shops featuring rich, authentic Hokkaido flavors. · Tokiwa Park: A sprawling central park perfect for a leisurely stroll and relaxation. · Heiwa Shopping Street: A lively pedestrian street for shopping and dining. · A convenient base for day trips to Biei and Furano. 🍜 Food Recommendations You can't miss the "Asahikawa Ramen" with its rich and aromatic shoyu (soy sauce) broth, or Hokkaido’s incredibly fresh seafood. 📅 Best Time to Visit Summer offers cool breezes and beautiful blooms, while winter transforms the city into a romantic snowy wonderland.

I recently stayed at a charming cottage called "Kotoritokorisu" in Biei, Hokkaido! 📍Midori, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido 071-0240 With a name as cute as its vibe, this is a private rental cottage limited to just one group per day✨ The interior is filled with the warmth of natural wood, creating a peaceful and cozy atmosphere🤍 It comes with a full kitchen, so you can pick up local ingredients to cook your own meals or just relax indoors—it truly feels like you're living the Biei lifestyle✨ Surrounded by the stunning landscapes of Biei, the highlight is the quiet, leisurely pace of life here. Beyond just sightseeing, taking the time to soak in nature at the cottage became one of my favorite travel memories🌿🤍

The cutest version of a Hokkaido winter itinerary ❄️☃️💗 This trip takes the Snowmori Gang (Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi) on a 6-day, 5-night Hokkaido adventure together 🇯🇵✨ From landing at New Chitose Airport to strolling through the snow in Sapporo, shopping for Chiikawa goodies, visiting the romantic city of Otaru, taking in the snowy views at Biei–Furano, and finishing off with a soak in the Noboribetsu hot springs ♨️ We’ve put it all together into a 6-episode Travel Diary series, complete with daily routes 🚃🚌 It includes attractions, transportation tips, and estimated travel times, so if you're planning a winter trip to Hokkaido, feel free to save this and follow along! 🥹🩵 EP.1 ✈️ New Chitose → Sapporo EP.2 🏙️ Sapporo City + Chiikawa Land + Shiroi Koibito Park EP.3 🕯️ Otaru One Day Trip EP.4 ❄️ Biei–Furano Winter Adventure EP.5 ♨️ Noboribetsu Onsen EP.6 🧳 New Chitose Airport + Goodbye Hokkaido This trip is perfect for those who want a relaxed pace, featuring the city, snow, food, shopping, and onsens 🤍 Hokkaido is one of those places where… One visit is never enough 🥹❄️ I'll definitely be back for another adventure with these three little ones! 🐰🤍💙

Planning your first trip to Hokkaido and can't decide where to stay? Each city offers a completely different vibe, catering to urban explorers, photography enthusiasts, nature lovers, and onsen seekers alike. Here’s a quick guide to 5 popular cities to help you choose the one that fits your travel style. 🤍 Sapporo — The best choice for a first trip. It’s easy to get around, filled with endless dining and shopping options, and serves as the perfect base for exploring other cities. Otaru — A charming and romantic small town. Perfect for those who enjoy strolling through cafes, capturing canal views, and soaking in a classic atmosphere, especially in the evening. Furano — A dream for nature lovers. If you’re looking for breathtaking snowy landscapes and mountain views that look like a winter postcard, this is the place for you. Asahikawa — A relaxed city that provides easy access to Biei. It’s ideal for visiting the Asahiyama Zoo or serving as a central hub for exploring the heart of the island. Noboribetsu — The ultimate spot for relaxation. Perfect for soaking in hot springs, visiting Hell Valley (Jigokudani), and staying overnight in a ryokan for a peaceful change of pace. For a first trip focused on convenience, I recommend using Sapporo as your main base and then adding trips to Otaru, Furano/Biei, or Noboribetsu based on your interests. Sometimes the best trip isn’t about staying in the "most famous" spot, but choosing the city that matches your own pace. That makes the experience much more enjoyable. 🤍

🎄🌅 Lonely Christmas Tree | Photographing the Lonely Christmas Tree of Biei at Sunset One of Biei's most striking trees, standing alone in the middle of a vast field, it has become a must-visit photo spot. 📸 My favorite time is before sunset. The golden light gradually transforms the atmosphere of the sky, the snow-covered field, and the lone tree in the wide open space, creating a feeling of both warmth and loneliness. 🌅❄️ 📸 Photo Tips: · Arrive before sunset to allow time to find the perfect angle. · Use a slight zoom lens to bring the tree and background closer. · Capture silhouettes as the light fades for a different mood. · Avoid agricultural areas; only photograph from permitted zones. And most importantly… Sometimes, a single tree can make us stand and take photos in the cold for hours! 😂❄️ 📍 Lonely Christmas Tree, Biei, Hokkaido #Biei #LonelyChristmasTree #Hokkaido #Sunset #JapanTravel #TripMoments

Winter in Hokkaido feels like stepping into a completely different world. ❄️ From snow-covered towns and frozen landscapes to warm onsens and beautiful night views, every stop has its own kind of winter magic. Sapporo is perfect for enjoying city lights and seasonal winter scenery, while Otaru feels especially romantic when the canal and historic streets are covered in snow. 🤍 For something different, visit Asahiyama Zoo to see the penguins, explore the dreamy landscapes around Biei, and experience the cozy atmosphere of Furano in winter. Noboribetsu is another highlight for its dramatic volcanic scenery and relaxing hot springs, while Lake Toya offers peaceful winter views surrounded by mountains. 🏔️ And if you love night scenery, Hakodate is definitely worth adding to the itinerary. ✨ Hokkaido in winter isn’t only about seeing snow — it’s about experiencing quiet landscapes, cozy towns, local food and those little moments that make winter travel so memorable. Hokkaido really does feel like a winter wonderland. ❄️☃️ #Hokkaido #HokkaidoWinter #HokkaidoTravel #JapanTravel #VisitJapan #Sapporo #Otaru #Biei #Furano #Noboribetsu #Hakodate #WinterInJapan #TripMoments

If you're searching for a destination that feels like stepping right into a winter postcard, Biei is a must-visit. ☃️✨ 📍 Biei, Hokkaido A small town nestled between mountains and vast fields. When the snow falls, the entire landscape transforms into a soft, dreamy white. 🌨️ Long roads stretching through snowy fields, trees perfectly lined up, and distant mountains blanketed in white. Every corner is so stunning you'll want to stop and capture it all. 📸 ✨ The true highlights are the silence and simplicity. There’s no big-city chaos—just the crisp wind and snowy vistas as far as the eye can see. Photography lovers will fall in love here. The light, colors, and overall vibe of Biei feel like nature has already curated the perfect composition for you. 🤍 The best part is... Even on days when the snow was so heavy it was hard to walk, standing there and taking in the view made every bit of the cold feel completely worth it. 😂 📌 This town is perfect for a road trip—stop for the views, snap some photos, and just lose yourself in nature. If you’re planning a winter trip to Hokkaido, make sure to add Biei to your list. ⭐️ Impression: 5/5

If you're visiting Hokkaido in the winter and want to see Biei transformed into a snowy wonderland, save this itinerary right now! This one-day trip covers everything from frozen blue waterfalls and landmark trees to rolling hills turned completely white. 🚗 Car rental is highly recommended. The spots are spread out, and many aren't directly accessible by train or bus. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🗺️ BIEI ONE DAY ROUTE ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 1️⃣ Shirahige Waterfall ↓ 2️⃣ Blue Pond ↓ 3️⃣ Mild Seven Hills ↓ 4️⃣ Ken & Mary Tree ↓ 5️⃣ Lone Christmas Tree This route covers both the Shirogane area and the scenic countryside hills of Biei in a single day. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 💧 01 | SHIRAHIGE WATERFALL ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Start your day at Shirahige Waterfall (White Beard Waterfall). Groundwater flows through rock crevices and plunges about 30 meters down into the striking blue Biei River. In winter, the contrast is breathtaking: ❄️ White snow 💧 White frosted falls 🪨 Dark rocks 💙 Cobalt blue river The best view is from the Blue River Bridge, and it’s beautiful year-round. 📍 Shirogane, Biei ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 💙 02 | BLUE POND ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ A short drive from Shirahige Waterfall brings you to the Blue Pond (Shirogane Blue Pond). This is one of Biei's most famous landmarks. The water's unique blue-green hue is caused by minerals and particles that scatter light, and the color changes depending on the weather and sunlight. However, if you visit in February, keep in mind that: ❄️ The pond surface might be completely covered in snow, hiding the blue water. During winter nights, there’s a light-up event that creates a different magical atmosphere. 📌 If you want to see the clear blue water, timing your seasonal visit is key. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌲 03 | MILD SEVEN HILLS ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Head back toward Biei's hilly countryside. This spot is a classic Biei image, featuring a row of trees atop a hill in a rural setting. Winter transforms the green slopes into a minimalist white landscape ❄️🤍. 📸 It’s a dream for fans of minimalist photography. ⚠️ Be careful when parking on the rural roads; do not block traffic. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌳 04 | KEN & MARY TREE ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Another iconic landmark, this Poplar tree became famous after being featured in a 1972 Nissan Skyline commercial. The name "Ken & Mary" comes from the characters in that ad. In winter, the tree stands tall and solitary against the white fields. It’s a simple sight, yet it carries that unmistakable Biei charm 🌳❄️. 📌 There is no direct public transport here, and parking is limited. ⚠️ Do not park on the road or shoulders, and never enter the farmers' private fields. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎄 05 | LONE CHRISTMAS TREE ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ End your day with this solitary tree standing in the middle of a field. 🎄 The Lone Christmas Tree. This spruce tree stands alone on Biei's farmland. There are no buildings or grand monuments here—just: 🌾 A vast field ❄️ Deep snow 🎄 One single tree 🏔️ Mountains in the distance This simple image is what makes many people fall in love with Biei. 📸 During golden hour, it looks exactly like a Japanese postcard. Important: Just like other spots, do not enter the fields to take photos, even if they are covered in snow. This is active farmland belonging to local farmers. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🚗 WHY WE RECOMMEND RENTING A CAR ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ These 5 spots are located in different areas. A car gives you the flexibility to manage your time, especially for hillside spots like the trees. However, drive with extra caution in winter: ❄️ Check road conditions ❄️ Monitor the weather 🚗 Use a 4WD vehicle with winter tires 🅿️ Only park in designated areas 🚜 Watch out for agricultural vehicles on rural roads Biei isn't just a tourist destination; it’s a living agricultural community where people work and live. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ⏰ HOW TO PLAN A 1-DAY TRIP ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌅 Morning 💧 Shirahige Waterfall ↓ 💙 Blue Pond 🍜 Noon Head back to Biei town for lunch 🌤️ Afternoon 🌲 Mild Seven Hills ↓ 🌳 Ken & Mary Tree ↓ 🎄 Lone Christmas Tree 🌅 Evening Catch the last light before heading back to your accommodation. 📌 Allow extra travel time in winter, as snow and road conditions can slow you down. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🤍 BIEI IN ONE DAY SUMMARY ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ This plan hits all the highlights: 💧 Waterfalls 💙 Blue Pond 🌲 Rolling hills 🌳 Landmark trees 🎄 The Christmas tree ❄️ And endless snow views But remember: Biei shouldn't be about rushing from the car to the photo spot and back. Take your time to enjoy the scenery along the way. 📸 Sometimes, the unplanned stops become the most favorite photos of the trip. 🇯🇵❄️ Biei — The town of hills that is beautiful in every season, but winter turns the whole place into a white postcard. 📌 Save this for your next Hokkaido trip!

Day 1 - Landed at New Chitose Airport First mission: shopping spree unlocked! 😎 Hit Odori Park and snapped the must-have photo of the iconic Sapporo TV Tower! Day 2 - Otaru Day! 🚉✨ This city is straight out of a dream—such a vibe, even when we got caught in the rain 🥲. Pro tip: Don’t skip the super aesthetic Otaru Canal Day 3 - Took a local tour to Biei, and WOW. The Blue Pond is actually SUPER BLUE—no filter needed! Explored Shikisai-no-oka with its paranomic rainbow flower fields, and then Farm Tomita for the most magical flower views! This route should be illegal for being this pretty. 🌸💙 Day 4 - Chocoholics, listen up! I scored a behind-the-scenes experience at the Royce Chocolate Factory. Try their chocolate drink! I love it! 🍫 Day 5 - And just like that, my Sapporo adventure ended! Hopped on a flight to Tokyo for Disneyland next 🥳. Sapporo, you were a DREAM! 🌟 Foodie Alert: You HAVE to try Jingisukan (ジンギスカン) aka Japanese grilled lamb! I had mine near Sapporo Tokyu Rei Hotel. Even if you think you don’t like lamb—trust me, this dish will change your mind (no weird taste here)! So many shops in the area, just pick one and vibe. It’s seriously sooo good! Ready for your own Hokkaido summer story? Check out the hottest hotels and top attractions on trip.com before you go! #hokkaido #sapporo #otaru #biei #farmtomita #furano #royce #chocolate #jingisukan #ジンギスカン #japan #newchitoseairport #odoripark #sapporotvtower

If you look at photos of Hokkaido and Okinawa side-by-side, it’s hard to believe they are even in the same country. Hokkaido is a land of mountains, lakes, volcanoes, flower fields, incredible seafood, cool summers, and some of the world's best powder snow. Okinawa is a paradise of subtropical islands, crystal-clear turquoise waters, sandy beaches, coral reefs, and the unique history of the former Ryukyu Kingdom. Choosing between them based on "which is more beautiful" is pointless. Instead, ask yourself: what kind of trip are you looking for, and in which season are you traveling? 🏔 HOKKAIDO For those seeking raw nature, open roads, and a different side of Japan Hokkaido is a massive island, and that is the most important thing to understand before planning your itinerary. Sapporo, Furano, Biei, Otaru, Noboribetsu, Hakodate, and the national parks shouldn't be treated as neighboring spots. Trying to cover half the island in four days usually turns into a vacation spent entirely in train stations. 01 • SAPPORO The most convenient urban base. Don't come here for "Old Japan"; come for the food, the vibrant markets, the nightlife in Susukino, and as a starting point for your journey. Must-try: miso ramen • soup curry • fresh seafood • jingisukan (grilled mutton) ⸻ 02 • OTARU The easiest day trip from Sapporo. Famous for its canal, historical warehouses, glasswork shops, sweets, and seafood. Format: Easily done as a day trip from Sapporo. ⸻ 03 • BIEI + FURANO A completely different scenery. Rolling hills, vast fields, and the rural landscapes of central Hokkaido. The region is especially popular in summer for its blooms, though peak dates vary by plant and weather. Pro-tip: A rental car offers much more freedom here than in most other parts of Japan. ⸻ 04 • NOBORIBETSU If you want a classic onsen experience. The main attraction is Jigokudani (Hell Valley), a volcanic crater with boiling hot springs and sulfurous steam. A great option for a one-night ryokan stay between other stops. ⸻ 05 • HAKODATE This isn't just a short hop from Sapporo. It’s worth visiting as a destination in itself: Mount Hakodate views, Motomachi district, the port, the star-shaped Goryokaku fort, and the morning market. I recommend staying at least one night. ⸻ ❄️ WHEN IS HOKKAIDO AT ITS BEST? SUMMER One of the strongest arguments for the island. While much of Japan is sweltering and humid, Hokkaido stays refreshing and cool. Plus, it’s the peak season for green landscapes and flower fields. AUTUMN Autumn foliage hits the northern and high-altitude areas much earlier than in Tokyo or Kyoto. WINTER A whole different world: world-class powder snow, ski resorts, onsens, and winter festivals. However, winter logistics require a buffer for weather-related delays. ⸻ 🧭 WHO SHOULD CHOOSE HOKKAIDO Mountains and lakes → ★★★★★ Road trips → ★★★★★ Seafood → ★★★★★ Cool summers → ★★★★★ Snow and winter activities → ★★★★★ Beach holidays → Not the place for this OPTIMAL FORMAT If it’s your first time, don't try to see the whole island. Example route: Sapporo → Otaru → Furano/Biei → Noboribetsu Save Hakodate or the remote wilderness areas for when you have extra days. 💡 Choose Hokkaido when you want the journey and nature to be the main highlights of your trip. 🌺 OKINAWA For those seeking the sea, tropical vibes, and a Japan that looks nothing like Honshu There is one common mistake people make with Okinawa. They say "I'm going to Okinawa" as if it’s a single resort. In reality, the prefecture is a vast archipelago, and your experience will depend entirely on which island you choose. ⸻ 01 • OKINAWA MAIN ISLAND (OKINAWA HONTO) The easiest choice for a first trip. This is home to Naha, the main airport, and the bulk of the infrastructure. You can combine: Naha culture → Ryukyu history → central beaches → the rugged northern part of the island. A car is highly recommended for exploring beyond Naha. ⸻ 02 • KEAMA ISLANDS For stunning blue water without flying to the far end of the archipelago. The Kerama Islands are west of the main island and accessible by ferry from Naha. People come here for pristine beaches, snorkeling, and diving. Note: Ferries are weather-dependent, so avoid tight flight connections. ⸻ 03 • ISHIGAKI This is Okinawa’s deeper paradise. Located far southwest of the main island, Ishigaki serves as the gateway to the Yaeyama Islands. From here, you can explore Taketomi, Iriomote, and more. If your goal is a truly tropical island escape, I’d recommend Ishigaki over Naha. ⸻ 04 • RYUKYU CULTURE Okinawa is more than just the sea. Until the 19th century, it was the independent Ryukyu Kingdom. The architecture, history, music, food, and traditions are strikingly different from mainland Japan. This cultural layer makes Okinawa fascinating even for those who aren't "beach people." ⸻ 🌦 THE MAIN CAVEAT — THE SEASON Okinawa is subtropical, but it doesn't guarantee beach weather 365 days a year. There is a rainy season, it can get chilly and windy in winter, and typhoons are possible during the warmer months. Always check the specific climate for your travel month and monitor forecasts as your trip approaches. ⸻ 🧭 WHO SHOULD CHOOSE OKINAWA The sea → ★★★★★ Beaches → ★★★★★ Snorkeling / Diving → ★★★★★ Island hopping → ★★★★★ Unique culture → ★★★★☆ Classic Kyoto-style temples → A completely different trip OPTIMAL FORMAT Pick one island group first, then build your route. For example: Naha + Main Island + Kerama OR Ishigaki + Taketomi + Iriomote Trying to see everything at once will waste too much time on planes and ferries. ⸻ 🏔 HOKKAIDO VS. OKINAWA Mountains → HOKKAIDO Lakes and volcanic views → HOKKAIDO Cooler summers → HOKKAIDO Snow and skiing → HOKKAIDO Onsens → HOKKAIDO Road trips → Both, but Hokkaido is iconic for this Warm sea → OKINAWA Beaches → OKINAWA Diving and snorkeling → OKINAWA Island hopping → OKINAWA Ryukyu Culture → OKINAWA ⸻ WHAT IF THIS IS YOUR SECOND TRIP TO JAPAN? This is where both options get really exciting. After the classic Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka route, don't just look for "another similar city." Change the vibe entirely. HOKKAIDO Sapporo → Otaru → Biei/Furano → Onsen. A northern adventure through vast landscapes and incredible food. OKINAWA Naha → Main Island / Kerama OR Ishigaki → Yaeyama Islands. An island escape that feels like a separate world. MY FINAL VERDICT July–August and want to escape the heat? Choose Hokkaido. Main goal is the sea and islands? Okinawa. Winter for the snow? Hokkaido. Want the most unexpected change of scenery after Tokyo? Okinawa. And don't try to combine them in one short trip. Hokkaido and Okinawa are literally at opposite ends of Japan. Each deserves a journey of its own.

Hokkaido in November is absolutely stunning! 🍁 This itinerary covers the beautifully romantic town of Biei and the vibrant city of Sapporo—all featuring must-see, limited-time autumn views. The ultimate highlight is definitely the Ginkgo Avenue at Hokkaido University. Strolling through that golden row of ginkgo trees feels like a warm embrace from autumn itself. Every angle is so picturesque that you literally can't stop snapping photos! Then there's the Blue Pond in Biei; with the sunlight glistening on the water, the pond looks so magical it hardly feels real—it’s incredibly soothing. Though these two spots aren't exactly close to each other, a well-planned route makes the whole trip super chill. Must-Visit Attractions 1. Biei | Shirogane Blue Pond 📍Address: Shirogane, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido 071-0235, Japan ⏰ Hours: Open year-round, 07:00 - 19:00 You really have to see the Blue Pond in person to understand the hype! It's so vivid it looks like spilled blue paint, and framed by the colorful autumn foliage, it’s purely magical. Visiting in autumn is highly recommended, plus entry is totally free! To dodge the big tour groups, try going in the early morning or late afternoon when the soft lighting creates the most gorgeous reflections—your photos will turn out better than expected. There aren't many shops nearby, so bring some snacks and drinks to chill and enjoy the view after taking your snaps. 2. Sapporo | Hokkaido University 📍Address: 5-chome Kita 8 Jonishi, Kita Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0808, Japan ⏰ Hours: Open year-round, 08:30 - 17:00 (Open on weekends) This spot is insanely popular during the November ginkgo and autumn foliage season! Right past the main entrance, the long Ginkgo Avenue will easily keep you busy for half an hour of strolling and photo-taking. The campus is massive and serene (despite the tourists), offering a great mix of modern architecture and autumn scenery. Daytime photos here look amazing, and the whole vibe just brightens your mood 🥰. With minimal commercial spots on campus, it’s the perfect place for a relaxed walk and pure sightseeing. 🔔 Itinerary Tips & Personal Thoughts · The Blue Pond boasts its most vibrant colors in autumn. While it changes beautifully with the seasons, locals especially rave about the striking mix of yellow, red, and blue in November. · Getting to the Blue Pond is best done by car or bus. I recommend leaving Sapporo in the morning; the trip takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, and you can easily pair it with other sights in Furano. · Hokkaido University gets busier on weekends, but since it's open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays (non-school days), the crowds are more spread out for taking pictures. · Sapporo has dramatic temperature drops in autumn, so be sure to pack an extra jacket for the chilly mornings and evenings. 🍣 Sapporo Food Recommendations · Near Hokkaido University, "Ramen Yokocho" (Ramen Alley) is a must-visit. It’s packed with authentic local ramen joints, and the miso ramen is out of this world. · If you have time, head over to the "Nijo Market" in downtown Sapporo. Don't even hesitate—just dive into a fresh crab or sea urchin rice bowl! 🚄 Transportation Notes To get from Sapporo to Biei, driving is the most convenient option, or you can take the JR Furano Line. Make sure to double-check bus and train schedules in advance, and leave plenty of time for travel between the two locations. Final Thoughts: An autumn trip to Hokkaido is totally worth the journey. Offering both peaceful natural wonders and romantic campus strolls, make sure to save this classic route for your next adventure!

There is an incredible discount pass that every foreign tourist visiting Hokkaido should know about 🚄✨ It’s called the "Sapporo-Furano Area Pass" It gives you unlimited rides on JR trains within the designated area—covering New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru, Asahikawa, Biei, and Furano—for 4 consecutive days! Plus, this pass is exclusively for travelers holding a foreign passport 🌏 You won't get this amazing deal if you just buy regular JR tickets after arriving in Hokkaido. 💰 Price · Advance purchase: Adults 11,000 yen / Children (ages 6-11) 5,500 yen · Purchase at designated stations in Japan: Adults 12,000 yen / Children (ages 6-11) 6,000 yen · Validity period: 4 consecutive days · Availability & Usage: Year-round According to JR Hokkaido, a regular round trip between Sapporo and Furano can cost up to 13,520 yen. With the 4-day pass costing only 11,000 yen, you can see how much money you save just by adding Otaru, Biei, and Asahikawa to your itinerary! 📍 Must-visit spots in the unlimited ride area New Chitose Airport ↓ Sapporo ↓ Otaru ↓ Asahikawa ↓ Biei ↓ Furano If I were planning a 4-day trip, here’s how I would do it: Day 1 | New Chitose Airport → Sapporo → Otaru Sightseeing in Otaru and taking in the breathtaking views from Mt. Shimoakaiwa. Day 2 | Sapporo → Asahikawa I also recommend catching the stunning night view from Mt. Moiwa in the evening. Day 3 | Biei Exploring the scenic hills of Biei, the Blue Pond, and Shirahige Waterfall. · Please note: Transportation beyond JR stations (like buses or rental cars to the Blue Pond or Shirahige Waterfall) is not covered by this pass. Day 4 | Furano → Sapporo & New Chitose Airport This kind of itinerary is highly recommended ✨ By the way, the soft-serve ice cream and ramen in the last photo are from popular spots right inside New Chitose Airport! Within the valid area, you can ride Limited Express, Rapid, and Local trains, and you can even book reserved seats in ordinary cars. Since all seats on JR Hokkaido Limited Express trains are reserved, be sure to pick up your reserved seat ticket before boarding. 🎫 How to buy? For advance purchases, you can book online via JR-EAST Train Reservation or through major travel agencies outside of Japan. After arriving in Japan, you can buy it at three locations: New Chitose Airport Station, Sapporo Station, and Asahikawa Station. However, buying in advance saves you 1,000 yen! ⚠️ Important Notes · Sapporo Municipal Subway, streetcars, and JR Hokkaido Buses are NOT included. · Tomamu is outside the covered area. · If you travel outside the designated area, additional fares will apply. · If you wish to use the Green Car (First Class), you must pay a separate limited express fee and Green Car fee. · The pass cannot be reissued or refunded if lost or stolen, so please keep it safe! Furano and Biei in the summer, Otaru in the fall, and Shirahige Waterfall in the winter ❄️ Hokkaido is a destination you'll want to revisit in every season. If you plan to explore Hokkaido over 4 days, simply knowing about this pass can make a huge difference in your travel budget 🚄✨ · Prices and conditions are subject to change. Please check JR Hokkaido's latest official information before purchasing.

When you arrive at Shikisai-no-Oka in Biei, the scenery before your eyes is as breathtaking as a giant 3D oil painting! Spread across the rolling hills is a vibrant, rainbow-like sea of blooming flowers. Bright red blossoms, deep purple salvia, and crisp white and golden flowers stretch into the distance in distinct layers. Paired with the iconic pink-roofed building and a crystal-clear blue sky, every casual snap turns into a postcard-perfect masterpiece. The park is incredibly spacious. While strolling through the flower fields to enjoy the sweet floral scent and gentle breeze is wonderful, I also highly recommend hopping on the custom tractor bus (the Norokko). It offers a relaxing ride around the park, giving you perfect vantage points to take in sweeping views of the flower-covered hills. 💡 Tips for Photography and Fun: 1. Bring a Tripod: The park's scenery is absolutely epic, so a tripod or a selfie stick is highly recommended. It’s super handy whether you’re capturing sweet couples' shots or using low angles to highlight the incredible depth of the endless flower fields! 2. Sun Protection & Hydration: There’s very little shade in the flower fields. If you’re visiting in summer, don't forget to wear a hat, bring sunglasses, and stay hydrated. The park is exceptionally well-organized and beautifully maintained. Whether you're looking to snap some dreamy, cinematic shots or just want to immerse yourself in nature to relax and beat the summer heat, Shikisai-no-Oka is a flawless 10/10 attraction you simply can't miss in Biei! 📍 Location: Panoramic Flower Gardens Shikisai-no-Oka

Visiting Hokkaido in mid-July means you absolutely can't miss the stunning flower fields of Furano and Biei! We heard from friends that the morning crowds in Furano during peak season are insane, so we decided to do the exact opposite—hit up Biei first! 📍 Transport & Rainy Day Backup Plan (Sapporo to Biei Station) The drive from Sapporo to Biei takes about 2.5 hours. It was pouring rain when we headed out in the morning, but thankfully it eased up by the time we reached Biei. The weather still looked a bit gloomy, though, so we decided to grab lunch near Biei Station first. 🍛 Biei Station Eats: Curry Shop Amadeus (Top Pick for Rainy Day Road Trips!) We arrived at Biei Station around 11:30 AM and chose the highly-rated "Curry Shop Amadeus" to try the famous local Biei curry. Road Trip Perks: There’s a massive parking lot right next to the restaurant, making it super convenient to walk over even in the rain! The Verdict: Their curry is quite different from the typical sweet Japanese curry. It has a hint of Indian spices, and the best part is the added crunchy texture—super unique! The portion sizes are pretty generous, so it’ll definitely fill you up. 🚜 Shikisai-no-Oka: Golf Cart Review & Money-Saving Tips After lunch, we headed straight to the main event: Shikisai-no-Oka. Since a family member had an international driver's permit, we rented a 4-seater golf cart to cruise around and snap photos. Driving Experience: Navigating the rolling hills up and down slopes was a little scary at first, but we quickly got the hang of it. Driving beats walking by a mile—you can easily zip to the furthest, least crowded spots for photos! 💰 Pricing & Hidden Fees: A 4-seater cart costs 2,000 JPY for 10 minutes. It sounds cheap, but since the flower fields are so incredibly photogenic, you'll be stopping constantly, making it super easy to go over the time limit! We ended up paying an extra 1,500 JPY (3,500 JPY total). Still, considering it saved us from exhausting walks under the blazing sun or on soggy post-rain ground, it was worth every penny! ⚠️ Practical Tips for Shikisai-no-Oka (Learned the Hard Way!): 👟 Outfit Warning: The mud is incredibly slippery and sticky after it rains. We strongly advise against wearing white shoes! 🐝 Bug Alert: There are quite a few bees around the sunflower fields, so if you're scared of bees, just be careful when taking photos. Mosquitoes weren't too bad, but if you're a mosquito magnet, bringing some bug spray is still a good idea. ⏱️ Time Needed: We stayed for about 1.5 hours (and we aren't even the hardcore photo-taking type). If you love snapping pics for the Gram, we recommend setting aside 2–2.5 hours so you don't feel rushed.