Understand Biei in 5 Minutes!
From recommended sightseeing spots to history, read this book and you'll understand all the basics of Biei tourism. Be sure to learn about the charms of Biei before you visit.
This is what Biei is like.
Biei-cho is located almost in the center of Hokkaido and is conveniently accessible from Sapporo in about 2 hours and 30 minutes by car. It is also about 15 minutes from Asahikawa Airport by car and about 2 hours and 30 minutes from New Chitose Airport. The beautiful natural environment with lush greenery against the backdrop of vast rolling hills and the majestic Tokachi Mountain Range is an attractive feature. In recent years, efforts have been made to pass on the beautiful scenery to the next generation, including the “Most Beautiful Village in Japan” Coalition initiative.
Beautiful hill town
Biei, with its hilly terrain similar to that of European farming villages, attracts many visitors every year who come to enjoy the beautiful scenery and peace of mind. The topography of these overlapping hills was formed about 2 million years ago when sediments from a major volcanic eruption on the east side of present-day Tokachi-dake volcano were slowly eroded away over a long period of time. The current landscape of the hills in Biei is based on the agricultural activities of farmers, who took time and effort to cultivate the land created in this way as farmland.
The beautiful land is the very workings of agriculture.
The colorful patchwork hills that symbolize the “City of Hills, Biei”. These beautifully laid out fields, often seen on posters and other media, are not created for tourism. These hills, which are covered with seasonal colors, are the workplaces of farmers who grow a variety of agricultural products such as wheat, potatoes, beets, corn, beans, and more. The beautiful scenery of the hills is another product of agriculture.
Townscape of Biei
The street in front of Biei Station is a beautiful “Biei townscape” with a sense of unity where nature and landscape are in harmony, with a triangular roof inspired by “Tokachi-dake” (Mt. Tokachi), the use of Biei soft stone, a local resource, and the year of establishment to indicate the history of the stores.
Tokachi Mountain Range
Tokachi-dake is an active volcano that is still billowing out its smoke. Biei has many wonderful places blessed by the volcano.
Baei Shirogane Onsen
Located at the foot of the mountains overlooking the Tokachi Mountain Range, this natural hot spring offers a taste of the rich nature of the mountains and their surroundings. It is a 30-minute drive from downtown Biei, and you can easily enjoy a one-day trip to the hot spring. Enjoying the seasonal nature while bathing in the hot spring will relax your mind and soul.
Seasons in Biei
spring
In spring in Biei, tractors are busily at work as autumn wheat, which had been under the snow, begins to turn green. The trees in the forests are budding one after another, and the fist blossoms and mountain cherry blossoms are beautiful. When the cherry blossoms finish blooming, we can see the spring leaves turning brown and yellow for a moment before they turn green again. Read more
summer
Summer in Biei is the most colorful season for both crops and flowers in the fields, and it is also the busiest tourist season. Cycling while enjoying the scenery of hills decorated with potato blossoms and wheat swaying in the wind is, of course, recommended, but night walking while enjoying the cool of the evening and star gazing at the stars at night is also recommended. Read more
autumn
The autumn leaves in Biei can be enjoyed in three different ways: on the mountains, on the hills, and on the larch trees. Also, rainbows appear more frequently during this season when the weather is changeable, so you may be able to see a semicircle rainbow that spans from hill to hill. Read more
winter
In winter in Biei, you can enjoy a world of silvery white surrounded by silence. You can see fantastic landscapes such as diamond dust and sun pillars, which are unique to this extremely cold region. Snowshoeing and snowmobiling on soft snow is also an attractive activity in Biei. Read more
Places to see in Biei
blue pond
The Blue Pond in Biei-cho is one of the scenic spots in Biei with its mysterious blue color. The clear water harmonizes and blends with the natural scenery surrounding the pond, creating a fantastic sight in each of the four seasons. Especially in autumn, the contrast with the autumn leaves is spectacular and attracts many people.
go around the hills
The hills of Biei-cho are an attractive spot with a spectacular view of rich colors. The view from the hilltop is like a painting, and the beautiful scenery of the four seasons and the expansive nature will deeply move your heart. Why not carve out a special moment by taking pictures or enjoying a stroll?
How to enjoy Biei
How to get around Biei
In Biei-cho, we recommend that you take the Biyu Bus to visit popular tourist spots at a reasonable price, rent a bicycle to enjoy the spectacular view of the hills in a leisurely and relaxed manner, or take a sightseeing cab or rent a car if you want to have more freedom in terms of where you want to go and what you plan to do.
Recommended Experiences & Fun in Biei
Biei-cho offers many tours and events regardless of the season. From harvesting in the fields during the green season to snowshoeing during the white season, there are plenty of experiences to enjoy nature to the fullest.
Delicious delicacies in Biei
Here is a dish that conjures up images of Biei. Please try our menu, which uses the freshest ingredients and strives for local production for local consumption.
A special experience only possible by staying in Biei
Gaze up at the star-filled sky in the middle of the night or wake up at sunrise for a leisurely walk. There are special experiences only possible when you stay in Biei.
Lodging in Biei
In addition to many lodging facilities in and around the town, there are also work vacation facilities with a teleworking environment. Enjoy the best location surrounded by magnificent nature.
Events in Biei
Biei-cho holds food-themed events, marathons and cycling events for friendship through sports, festivals to pray for the prosperity of Biei-cho and the repose of Mount Tokachi, and various small and large events throughout the year that can be enjoyed by small children.
History of Biei
In 1899, the Asahikawa-Biei section of the Tokachi-Line (now JR Furano Line) opened and Biei Station opened, and the following year, Biei-village was established as a branch of Kagura Village. Why not follow in the footsteps of history? Read more