Things to do in Biei

For a unique and tranquil daytrip and the chance to experience a jaw-dropping phenomenon, visit the pretty Blue Pond of Hokkaido. Opened to the public in 2010, this artificial pond attracts visitors in search of serenity and photographers on the hunt for enviable shots. Follow the trail that encompasses Blue Pond and leads to various viewpoints.

Ribbons of color greet visitors at Shikisai-no-oka, Japan’s gigantic flower garden. Flowers grown together by common type create swaths of intense colors over 37 acres (15 hectares) of gently rolling hills. Take a deep breath to experience a fragrance like no other. The beauty changes naturally through the year, with the peak season for color from late April to late October. In winter the area becomes a popular spot for snow rafting, tubing and snowmobiling.

Contemplate the beauty of the natural world at Shirahige Falls. Cascades of water tumble 98 feet (30 meters) down a moss-covered rock face into the river below.

Visit Hokuseinookatenbo Park (aka Hokusei-no-Oka Observatory Park) for panoramic views of the lush countryside around the town of Biei. The public park and garden sits on Northwest Hill, with views of Daisetsuzan National Park and some of the town’s natural landmarks stretching before it. Admire the flower displays at the park, shop for souvenirs and enjoy a lavender-flavored ice cream.

Visit Tenninkyo Gorges to see dramatic scenery of soaring basalt cliffs and columns formed thousands of years ago by volcanic eruptions. This spectacular ravine sits at the western edge of Daisetsuzan National Park in the shadow of peaks such as the 7,516-feet (2,291-meter) tall Asahidake. Follow the trails that cut through Tenninkyo Gorges to rocks and waterfalls, many steeped in ancient legends.