Visiting Patchwork Road in Biei during the winter felt like stepping into a dreamy snow globe. The landscapes were truly some of the most beautiful I had ever seen.
I had seen photos of this scenic area in the warmer months, with its rolling hills covered in vibrant greens and golden fields, but nothing quite prepared me for the serene beauty of Biei blanketed in white.
Several iconic trees along Patchwork Road in Biei became famous after being featured in old advertisements, particularly for tobacco brands, car commercials, and travel promotions.
Note – I shot all these photos with my Sony a7iv and my Sony 24-70mm lens. I also used my pocket size Ricoh griii for a number of the photos I took in Biei.
The bright sun reflecting off the white snow made photography a bit tricky, but it was still an amazing place to shoot. I’d love to rent a car and visit Biei again in the future—having my own car would give me way more flexibility with timing and lighting conditions.
Lone Christmas Tree
The Christmas Tree was my first stop, and I was completely unprepared for the sheer number of people there. It was honestly overwhelming—crowds everywhere, traffic congestion, and even traffic control there directing cars.
The honking and chaos made it a bit of a shock. Especially for such a peaceful-looking location. The pictures make it look so calm and peaceful. Lol, don’t be fooled!
For reference, I was there on a Saturday at 11 AM, which was probably the worst time to visit if you’re hoping for a quiet experience.
I imagine it would be much less crowded if you go early in the morning or on a weekday. When I arrived, there were a ton of tour buses, which definitely contributed to the madness.
My taxi driver told me this is the most visited spot in the area, which, after seeing the crowds, I completely believe. If you’re planning to visit, I’d definitely time it wisely to avoid the rush.
That said, the scene itself was pretty cool—not cool enough to justify the ridiculous number of people there, lol, but I still enjoyed taking photos and was happy with the result.
I took 30 minutes there and that was plenty.
How to get there without a car
The Christmas tree is about a 10-minute drive from town, and if you have a rental car, getting there is straightforward. But if you’re like me and didn’t rent one, your only options are either joining a tour or hiring a taxi—I went with the latter.
If you take a taxi, ask the driver to wait while you take photos, since there’s no designated parking. Most visitors just pull over on the side of the road for a quick stop.
To hire a taxi you can go to the Tourist Information Center right outside of Biei Station. They can call a taxi for you there.
Parent & Child Oak Trees (Oyako no Ki)
Before I went, I didn’t have high expectations for this stop, but once I got there it actually surprised me in a good way. It was peaceful, uncrowded, and super convenient—an easy spot to hop out, take photos, and just enjoy the view without battling hundreds of tourists.
The trees themselves were prettier than I expected, with a natural symmetry that really does resemble a parent and child.
As I stood there, I couldn’t help but think about our baby, who we had lost just four months before traveling to Japan. She’s always on my mind, but something about these trees made me feel especially close to her—a quiet, unexpected reminder of her presence.
While they don’t have the same advertising history as some of the other famous trees in Biei, their symbolic meaning makes them a sentimental favorite among visitors.
If you’re in the area, it’s definitely a worthwhile, low-stress stop—and maybe even a meaningful one, too.
Mild Seven Hill
Mild Seven Hill was one of the spots in Biei I was most excited to visit. I had seen photos of it before and it looked straight out of a painting.
What I didn’t realize until I visited was that this spot became famous after being featured in a 1980s Mild Seven cigarette advertisement.
Compared to some of the other famous trees in the area, like the Christmas Tree, there were hardly any people here, making it feel even more serene.
One surprising thing I learned while chatting with my taxi driver was that the original trees from the ad are no longer there—some were damaged and eventually removed over the years. Even so, the view still held that same timeless, cinematic quality that made it famous in the first place.
Since Mild Seven Hill is on private farmland, you can’t walk up to the trees or explore the fields, but you can admire it from a viewing area. It is roped off to keep people off the farmers land.
It’s simple, peaceful, and a perfect example of why Biei’s landscapes are so special.
Seven Stars Tree – meh
This lone oak tree became famous after being featured in a 1976 Seven Stars cigarette ad, and ever since, it’s been one of Biei’s most iconic photo spots.
Personally, I felt it wasnt that special.
Out of all the famous trees in Biei, this one was probably the second least impressive.
I think I spent maybe three minutes here before calling it quits. It just didn’t do much for me. When I got back into the taxi, my driver looked at me and said, “Are you sure you’re done already?” I just laughed and said, “Yep.” Lol.
I was actually looking forward to this stop—not so much for the tree itself, but for the line of trees that used to stand next to it. Unfortunately, when I arrived, they were nowhere to be found.
Turns out, the owner cut them all down because too many tourists were trespassing into his field for photos.
When I visited, the fallen trees were still lying on the ground, which made it even more surreal to see.
My taxi driver said it was even on the news in Japan when it happened. Kind of wild, but honestly, I get it.That being said, I still think it’s worth a quick stop if you’re already in the area. It’s only a 12-minute drive from Biei Station and 13 minutes from the Lone Christmas Tree, so it’s an easy addition to your route.
Ken & Mary Tree – Famous, But Just Okay
The Ken & Mary Tree is one of Biei’s most well-known trees, thanks to its appearance in a 1970s Nissan Skyline commercial. It’s named after the characters from the ad, and over the years, it’s become a popular stop for visitors.
To be honest, this was probably the least impressive tree of the bunch for me. The tree itself isn’t anything special, but the area around it is really pretty, and I actually enjoyed wandering around and taking photos.
It’s a quick and easy stop, especially since everything in Biei is so close together. Even if the tree doesn’t blow you away, the surrounding scenery makes it a nice little detour.
If you walk a bit further past the Ken and Mary Tree, you’ll spot a beautiful purple farmhouse in the distance. That ended up being my favorite photo spot in the area.
How to See the Patchwork Road Trees Without a Car
If you’re planning to visit the famous Patchwork Road in Biei without a rental car, it’s important to know that public transportation is not an option—no matter the season. However, there are still a few ways to explore the area:
- Rent a car – Best for flexibility, but not an option if you don’t drive.
- Book a tour – Budget-friendly but lacks flexibility. Most tours last the entire day.
- Rent a bike (summer only) – A viable option if you’re up for a workout.
- Hire a taxi – The best balance of flexibility and convenience.
Why I Chose a Taxi
I personally opted for a taxi over a tour because most tours lasted all day, and I only had the energy for a couple of hours. Hiring a taxi allowed me to:
- Handpick my stops – I could focus on the spots I cared about most.
- Save energy – As someone with POTS Syndrome, I have to be mindful of my stamina, especially when traveling alone.
- Start at my preferred time – I am not a morning person, and full-day tours that start early just don’t work for me.
- Convenient pickup – My driver picked me up at my Airbnb at 10:15 AM, which was perfect since I had to check out by 10.
I booked a two-hour taxi ride, which cost me 15,600 yen (~$100 USD). At first, the price felt a bit steep, but considering it was essentially a private tour, it felt worth it. Two hours was the perfect amount of time to see both the Patchwork Road Trees and the Christmas Tree Circuit while taking plenty of photos.
How to Hire a Taxi in Biei
If you’re interested in hiring a taxi, here’s the process:
- Arrive at Biei Station – The Tourist Information Center is to the left of the station.
- Go inside and request a taxi – You can hire one for different durations (1 hour, 1.5 hours, 2 hours, etc.).
- Choose your stops – They will give you a checklist of all the major spots. Both you and your driver will have a copy, making communication easy.
- Enjoy your private tour – The driver will take you to all your selected spots within your time frame.
Important Notes
- Bring cash – You must pay in cash. My driver had change, but it’s best to have the exact amount just in case.
- Plan your timing – Two hours is plenty to see all the major trees with time for photos.
- Consider the season – A taxi is ideal year-round, while biking is only an option in summer.
Solo female traveler approved! – I felt very, very safe the entire time. My driver was so kind, and using Google Translate made communication seamless.
Hiring a taxi made my experience stress-free and efficient, and I highly recommend it if you want to explore Patchwork Road at your own pace! 🚕✨