JP · Hokkaido · 43.58°N 142.47°E

biei

Rolling patchwork hills and the milky Blue Pond. A photographer's road trip.

Best time
July for flower fields and lavender in nearby Furano, with green and gold fields through summer. Winter brings deep snow and quiet white landscapes, and the Blue Pond is lit up at night.
How long
1–2 days, with Furano
Getting there
Fly to New Chitose near Sapporo (about 7.5–8 hours from KL, often with a connection), or to Asahikawa via Tokyo. Biei is about 30 minutes by car or train from Asahikawa, and roughly 2.5–3 hours' drive from Sapporo.
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JP · Hokkaidobiei43.58°N 142.47°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Rolling patchwork hills and the milky Blue Pond. A photographer's road trip.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingBieiJP, Hokkaido
KLbiei
≈ 6,023 km from KL, as the crow flies
Patchwork Road in Biei, Hokkaido, Japan.

Photo: 663highland · CC BY 2.5

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A farming town in central Hokkaido known for its rolling fields, lone trees and the milky-blue Shirogane Blue Pond. It pairs naturally with the lavender fields of Furano to the south, and most people explore it by car.

Makan

  1. Hokkaido soft serveRich dairy ice cream sold at farm stops all over the area.Map ↗
  2. Furano melonSweet, orange-fleshed melons in summer, sold whole or by the slice.Map ↗
  3. Asahikawa ramenSoy-based ramen with a layer of oil on top to keep it hot, if you pass through Asahikawa.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Shirogane Blue PondA man-made pond whose minerals turn the water bright blue, with dead larch trees standing in it.Map ↗
  2. Shirahige FallsA waterfall seeping out of the cliffs into a blue river, a short drive past the pond.Map ↗
  3. Patchwork RoadCountry lanes past striped fields and well-known lone trees like the Ken and Mary Tree.Map ↗
  4. Shikisai-no-okaA hillside flower park planted in bright stripes of colour through summer.Map ↗
  5. FuranoAbout 40 minutes south, with lavender farms like Farm Tomita in July.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The fields are private farmland. Take photos from the road and don't walk into crops.
  • Renting a car is easiest. Bring an International Driving Permit from JPJ with your Malaysian licence.
  • In winter, roads are icy and dark early. Drive slowly and leave plenty of time.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.