Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Located right behind an indigo dyeing workshop, Ao no Oka offers a rare chance to climb Biei’s famous hills on foot and relax on an indigo-dyed bench while overlooking the patchwork landscape.

Ao no Oka is situated behind Aizome Yui no Mori, a facility produced by the historic Mizuno Dyeing Works, which has been in business since 1907. Unlike many spots in Biei that are best viewed from a car, this hill invites you to experience the landscape at your own pace. As you walk up the gentle slope, the refreshing scent of greenery fills the air, and you can truly feel the elevation change with every step. At the summit, you are greeted by the "Blue Ring"—a striking bench crafted from wood dyed in traditional Japanese indigo.

Sitting on the smooth surface of this indigo bench, you can feel the cool breeze on your cheeks as a magnificent panorama unfolds before you. Below, the vast, rolling hills change their colors with the seasons, framed by the majestic Tokachi mountain range in the distance. The experience is even more profound if you visit after trying your hand at an indigo dyeing workshop at the neighboring shop; the deep blue of your craft seems to harmonize with the natural hues of the landscape. In the quiet moments, with only the rustling of trees to be heard, you can capture the hills' beauty in the soft morning or evening light—a perfect moment for any photography enthusiast.