FURANO & BIEI
The Scent of Lavender, the Patchwork Hills
A Tour Through the Seasons in Furano & Biei
Lavender fields stretch as far as the eye can see in summer, while winter brings a ski resort famous for its exceptional powder snow. This area also lets you take in Biei’s photogenic scenery, from the Blue Pond to the Patchwork Road.
Furano and Biei sit in a hilly region near the center of Hokkaido. In summer, lavender and other flowers blanket the hills in color, creating a lush landscape also known as the setting of a well-loved Japanese TV drama. In winter, the area transforms into a resort drawing skiers in search of premium powder snow. This ever-changing character throughout the year is the real charm of Furano and Biei.
Farm Tomita
ClassicFurano’s signature lavender farm. The lavender fields typically reach full bloom in July, spreading out into a landscape that looks like a purple carpet. On-site shops sell lavender soft-serve ice cream and original perfumes, making it popular with families too.
📍 About a 10-minute walk from JR Naka-Furano Station
Shikisai-no-Oka
Scenic ViewA scenic flower field set in the hills of Biei. Across its expansive 7-hectare grounds, different flowers are planted in rainbow-like rows for each season, living up to its name (“Hill of Four Seasons’ Colors”). It’s also a popular viewpoint for taking in the entire hillside at once.
📍 About a 20-minute drive from central Furano/Biei
Blue Pond
Scenic ViewFamous for its mysterious scenery—cobalt-blue water dotted with submerged birch trees. Its color shifts with the weather and time of day, so it looks a little different every time you visit. It’s one of Biei’s most photographed spots, drawing visitors from Japan and abroad.
📍 About a 20-minute drive from JR Biei Station
Shirahige Falls
Scenic ViewA roughly 30-meter waterfall in the Biei Shirogane Onsen hot spring area. Groundwater seeps out from between the rocks and cascades down in countless white streams into the cobalt-blue Biei River below—a sight as delicate and beautiful as white whiskers. Visiting alongside the Blue Pond is the classic combination.
📍 About a 5-minute drive from the Blue Pond
Biei Panorama Road
Scenic ViewA scenic drive route through gently rolling hills, dotted with photogenic spots such as “Mild Seven Hill,” “Seven Star Tree,” “Oyako-no-Ki (Parent-and-Child Tree),” and “Patchwork Road.” The colors of the fields shift with the seasons, creating an endless patchwork-like landscape.
📍 A loop drive from central Biei (a few minutes to about 10 minutes between each spot)
Furano Marche & Ningle Terrace
GourmetFurano Marche is a market packed with fresh local produce, sweets, and Furano wine, perfect for food-strolling and souvenir shopping. In the evening, head to “Ningle Terrace,” where small log-cabin shops nestled in the forest are lit by lamplight for an enchanting evening stroll.
📍 About a 10-minute walk from JR Furano Station (Furano Marche)
A Private Charter Taxi Is the Easy Way to See Furano & Biei
Highlights like Farm Tomita, the Blue Pond, and the Panorama Road are spread across a wide area, which makes getting around by public transportation alone a challenge in Furano & Biei.
With a private charter taxi and a local driver, even travelers who aren’t confident driving a rental car can enjoy an efficient tour of the hills.