Spectacular views like you've never seen before! A winter trip to Asahikawa and Biei (three days)
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Days required
- Three days, two nights
- Main methods of transportation
- Bus, taxi, rental car
In the winter, Biei offers spectacular views that can only be found here, such as a snowy landscape as far as the eye can see, and a fantastically lit up blue pond. Walk over the snow in snowshoes, or see the winter-only "Penguin Walk" at the popular Asahiyama Zoo. There are lots of experiences that are available only in winter! You can also enjoy Hokkaido's winter gourmet delights.
*Information as of March 2022
- * The spots and experience menus introduced in the course are subject to change. Please check the official website for the latest information.
- * Please note that the text shown on this page includes machine translations.
Asahikawa Airport
Start at the airport, the gateway to the skies of Northern Hokkaido!
Welcome to Northern Hokkaido, a treasure trove of nature!
First, take the Express Lavender Bus (FURANO BUS) to JR Biei Station.
(About 13:15)
JR Biei Station
Western-style station building made of stonework
This adorable station building matches the hill town of Biei. You can also enjoy the illumination that goes up in front of the station from December.
Lunch recommendations around JR Biei Station!
- Ferme La Terre, Hokkaido Biei
- A restaurant with a menu that is thoroughly focused on ingredients, including wheat and milk produced in Biei and dairy products from Hokkaido. It also offers a wide range of dishes made from Hokkaido wagyu beef and pork!
(Approx. 10 minutes by taxi from JR Biei Station) - https://www.laterre.com/fermebiei/shop.html
- Western Food and Café Junpei, birthplace of the local specialty "Jun Dog"
- A Western-style restaurant where you can sample a varied menu focused on fried dishes, including the soul food "Jun Dog," which is a Western-style rice ball. We also recommend the plump and freshly-fried shrimp!
(Approx. 10 minutes on foot from JR Biei Station) - http://biei-junpei.com/
A restaurant that serves up delicious Western cuisine as you admire views of the beautiful snowy fields, or a restaurant where you can enjoy local gourmet delights. Both are popular restaurants in Biei.
After that, head to the Biei Tourist Information Center.
(About 15:00)
A base for sightseeing in Biei
Approx. 2 minutes on foot from JR Biei Station. This is an information center that provides seasonally updated tourism information about Biei. Tourist maps and brochures are also available here. It is the arrival and departure point for the Biei View Bus (a bus that tours around the main sightseeing spots of Biei).
- Address
- 1-2-14 Motomachi, Biei
- Telephone Number
- 0166-92-4378
- Open
- (November - April) 8:30 - 17:00
(May and October) 8:30 - 18:00
(June - September) 8:30 - 19:00 - Closed
- Year-end and New Year holidays
Biei Winter Illumination Course
Illumination of the incredible views of Biei to create a magical atmosphere
Board the bus to tour Biei's sightseeing spots and admire the views when they are lit up. Enjoy the natural beauty of Biei in the night!
- Address
- (Meeting point) Biei Tourist Information Center, 1-2-14 Motomachi, Biei
- Open
- Operates mainly on Friday, Saturday, and national holidays.
Please check the schedule on the official website.
Introducing some spots covered in the Biei View Bus tour
- Shirogane Blue Pond
- A mysterious pond with a blue water surface. The withered Japanese larch tree makes an impressive sight. Enter a magical world when the pond is illuminated!
- https://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/en/spot/detail_10511.html
- Shirahige Waterfall
- This waterfall, with a drop of 30 m, was named "Shirahige" because it looks like a white beard. The world of blue and white, when the waters of Shirahige are covered in ice, is a unique view that can only be seen in winter!
- https://www.biei-hokkaido.jp/en/sightseeing/shirahige-waterfalls/
[Accommodation] Biei Town
There are various types of accommodations in the town.
There is also a wide selection of vacation rentals, from hotels, inns, and pensions, to the rental of entire guesthouses.
(Meet at 9:30, depart at 9:45)
Scenic snowshoe experience in Biei (Time required: Approx. 2 hours)
The blue skies and snow-white fields look beautiful on a sunny day
A snowshoe walking plan on Biei's snowy fields.
Walk on snowy fields that no one has stepped foot on, and leave your footprints or the imprint of your body! The snowshoes are easy to put on, even for children. You may encounter mystical sights in the frigidly cold region, such as hoarfrost and diamond dust.
*Transportation on site is by car. If you have any difficulties with that, such as not having a driving license, please indicate in the "Request" field during application.
*Please be careful when driving if you are not accustomed to driving in wintery conditions.
- Address
- (Meeting point) Biei Tourist Information Center, 1-2-14 Motomachi, Biei
- Open
- Mid-December to end-March (*Subject to changes depending on snow conditions)
Approx. 55 minutes on the Express Lavender Bus (FURANO BUS) (Departs at about 13:30/Arrives at about 14:30)
Or approx. 40 minutes on the JR Furano Line
JR Asahikawa Station
Gateway to Asahikawa, Hokkaido's second largest city
(About 15:00)
[Dinner] Enjoy Asahikawa's gourmet delights at Sanroku Street!
The largest entertainment district in the Northern Hokkaido area!
Asahikawa City is a treasure trove of food, filled with fresh seafood and seasonal agricultural and livestock products. Try the local specialties, "shio horumon" (salted offal) and "shinkoyaki" (grilled chicken) here!
- Address
- 6-chome, 3-jodori, Asahikawa City
Approx. 40 minutes by bus (About 9:10)
Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa City
A penguin walk that can only be seen in winter!
An event that gives you a chance to see, up close, the behavior and ecology of penguins. The adorable penguins walking right before one's eyes are hugely popular. Also keep an eye out for polar bears, which become active during the colder seasons. Polar bears running on the snow and diving into the aquarium tank is an impressive sight!
- Address
- Kuranuma, Higashi-asahikawa-cho, Asahikawa City
- Telephone Number
- 0166-36-1104
- Open
- 9:30 - 17:15 (last entry at 16:00) *Hours may be shorter depending on the season
- Closed
- November 4 - 10, December 30 - January 1
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Asahiyama Zoo taxi transfer plan
You can travel between Asahiyama Zoo and Asahikawa City/Asahikawa Airport at a reasonable fixed rate. (Travel routes in the opposite direction are also available/Advance booking required)
Approx. 40 minutes by local bus (Departs at about 13:10)
Approx. 50 minutes by the bus bound for Asahikawa Airport (Departs at about 14:30/Arrives at about 15:20)
