23 May 2026
Biei is famous for its beautiful natural scenery created by vast rolling, flower-covered farmlands, with the magnificent Tokachi Mountain Range as a backdrop.
In spring, the flowers in the fields are newly planted and not fully in bloom so the typical attractions like Farm Tomita, Shikisai no Oka and Zerubu Hill could be skipped. I had also visited attractions like Farm Tomita, Farm Chiyoda, Shirogane Blue Pond, and the cascading Shirahige Falls in my previous trip in August 2023.
So on this road trip, I would focus on sights that I missed. This includes a drive down Panorama Road, Roller Coaster Road and also seeing the famous trees around the Biei countryside, like the Ken & Mary Tree, the Seven Stars Tree, and the majestic Christmas Tree.
Panorama Road
After enjoying the vast yellow canola fields in Takikawa, we drove to what is known as the Panorama Road near Kamifurano. The journey to the starting point of Panorama Road (Google Map location here) took slightly over an hour through scenic country roads.
I had actually driven on this stretch of road on my previous trip but it was in the opposite direction! Hence, it was not as “panoramic” as it should be.
The best views are seen when driving in the southern-east direction where we could see vast farmlands with the Tokachi Mountain Range in the back. In spring, the mountains were still snow-covered at the top and it was a beautiful sight.
We actually saw a volcano with a plume cloud of steam and gases. The local residents would not be thrilled or excited by the sight of an active volcanic spewing gases and steam. For me, this was still a fascinating experience although I had seen similar sights while visiting Kyushu, namely Mount Aso and Sakurajima.
The drive down Panorama Road was really scenic. I was glad to chance upon a farmer’s truck laden with rice seedlings. Late spring is the rice planting season and we could see the water logged paddy fields with freshly planted rice seedlings.
Roller Coaster Road
From Panorama Road, we drove a short distance to "Nishi 11sen Doro" or what is known as the Roller Coaster Road. Google Map Location here.
This long and straight stretch of road, approximately 4.5 kilometers long, features steep ascents and descents like a roller coaster. The road is potentially hazardous with the steep ascents and descents over the hills limiting visibility, and the chance of encountering some crazy drivers trying to experience the G-forces of a roller coaster.
We drove down the entire stretch of the scenic road but did not stop. My wife took a video of the drive from the windscreen of the car.
Biei Christmas Tree
The first of the famous trees in Biei we saw was the Christmas Tree. There are no designated parking spaces near the tree. Fortunately, there was no other car around. We just stopped by the roadside and took some quick photos of this famous lone pine.
Biei’s famous Christmas Tree, standing all alone, on an empty piece of freshly ploughed farmland.
I must say, this single pine tree is surprisingly photogenic.
Oka No Sanpo Michi
We were actually going to Hokusei-no-oka Observatory Park when we saw Oka No Sanpo Michi, an ice cream shop set in a farm.
This is a very nice place to stop for coffee and ice-cream. The surrounding area was so peaceful and scenic and the coffee and ice-cream were delicious. Perfect for a pit-stop after so much driving around Biei.
The shop is located in a farm, so there was plenty of green grass, wild flowers, farms and views of the mountain ranges.
Views of Mount Tokachi, the active volcano. There are also some baby farm animals to interact with. A farmer brought out her kids (as in baby goats!) to us to have a closer look.
Foal of a miniature horse at Oka No Sanpo Michi. Hokusei-no-oka Observatory Park
By the time we arrived at Hokusei-no-oka Observatory, it was about 4.40 PM. We were the only car in the large parking lot located at the top. There is a pyramid shape lookout structure but there was no need to go there.
Pyramid Observation Deck in the back. We did not climb up to the observation deck.
We could already have great views across Biei and the valley to the Tokachi Mountain Range. I think the views of the flower fields from here would be nice in summer.
Interesting building selling coffee and snacks but it was closed.
Ken and Mary Tree, Seven Star Tree and Parent and Child Tree
Sunset time in Biei on this day is about 7 PM. When on a road trip, I made it a point to avoid driving on country roads after dark for safety reasons. We had some time left to see a few more of Biei’s famous trees. They were all located quite close by.
There are ample parking spaces near the Ken and Mary Tree and also the Seven Stars Tree. After we parked our car, a tour bus rolled in and unloaded a large group of tourists. It is amazing how trees in the Biei countryside could become a tourist attraction.
The trees, on their own merits, are nothing great to see. It is the surrounding Biei countryside that is the star. For example, the freshly ploughed land, with the lines on them, is quite photogenic. The views in summer, with colourful flowers, or in winter, with snow covered landscape, would have been even nicer.
Ken and Mary Tree - Tall & solitary poplar tree, known for its appearance in a 1970s Nissan commercial.
The Biei farmland is actually the star of the show Not the famous trees. The views at any seasons are quite nice.
Seven Stars Tree – an Iconic oak tree once depicted on packaging for a popular brand of Japanese tobacco.
Like the Biei’s Christmas Tree, the Parent and Child Trees are actually quite good subjects to photograph. There are three trees, two large and one small, side by side, right at the top of a hill.
Parent and Child Trees. I like the simple “standalone” look with no other trees on the horizon. There are no proper parking spaces near the trees and the trees are on private land. That does not matter since the best compositions for a nice photo are actually from afar. I just snap photos of them silhouetted with the blue grey sky from the roadside.
It was already slightly past 5 PM when we left Biei for Asahikawa. The drive to Asahikawa took about 30 minutes and we arrived at JR Inn Asahikawa before dark.
Evening at Asahikawa
JR Inn Asahikawa is located on top of the Asahikawa JR Station and also next to Aeon Mall Asahikawa Station.
After checking in, we went for dinner at Hokkaido Ramen Santouka, located near Asahikawa JR Station. While Asahikawa is traditionally known for soy sauce (shoyu) ramen, Santouka made its name by doing things differently.
This restaurant is famous for its signature mild, pork-bone shio (salt) ramen topped with a single pickled plum (ume).
Shio Ramen with added onsen egg on top of the standard kikurage (wood ear mushrooms), menma (bamboo shoots), negi (spring onions), naruto (fish cake), chashu pork slices, and ume.
We also had gyozas which are pretty good too.
After a satisfying dinner, we bought some drinks and snacks for our road trip from a 7-11 shop and also took a walk around Aeon Mall.
There is a nice pet store (Pet Life) featuring very cute puppies and kittens and a supermarket at the basement where we bought more local snacks.
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