I just returned from a month long winter trip to Hokkaido, Japan. (I visited in January, so very much middle of winter.) While there I spent a few days in Biei and loved every minute of this charming small town.
Before going I was not sure if I was going to add Biei to my itinerary. But after going, I am so glad I did as it was one of my favorite stops.
Biei, located in central Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, is known for its hills, flower fields, and gorgeous wintery landscapes. Often called the “Most Beautiful Countryside in Japan” and while I can’t attest to the truth of that statement, the snowy landscapes made me feel like I was in a snow globe.
If you are a nature lover or a photography lover, you will also, love Biei.
Why visit Biei in the winter?
Biei is about the same size as Tokyo in terms of land area. But while Tokyo has 14 million people, Biei has only 9,000. Pretty crazy, right?
With so few people living there you will be able to experience lots of nature, which is the main draw to Biei in the winter. There are waterfalls, the famous Blue Pond and so many beautiful landscapes. You will love it, especially if you are a photographer like me.
Best Things to do in Biei
1. Visit The Christmas Tree
No trip to Biei would be complete without visiting the iconic Christmas Tree.
I couldn’t help but laugh at how packed this place was when I was there—the sheer number of tourists was pretty wild. (FYI – I did visit at 11 am on a Saturday which I guess explains why it was so packed.)
Even though the crowds were a bit overwhelming, I still really enjoyed it and felt it was worth the visit.
It gets super crowded during peak hours because it’s a must-stop on almost every tour of the area. If you happen to arrive when the tour buses roll in, expect to see hundreds of people snapping selfies by the tree! Check out the crowds here.
2. See The Rowan Trees
If you visit Hokkaido, you’ll start noticing these beautiful trees with bright red berries in almost every city. I spotted them in Asahikawa, Furano, and Biei, and they stood out even more against the snowy landscapes.
After some digging, I found out they’re Rowan trees (ナナカマド, Nanakamado in Japanese). These trees keep their vibrant red berries throughout the winter, creating a stunning contrast against the white snow.
Apparently, they’re super resilient to the cold, which is why you’ll see them all over Hokkaido. They’re also a symbol of endurance and good fortune in Japan.
So, if you’re visiting in winter, keep an eye out for these little pops of color—they make for some seriously picturesque winter scenes!
3. The Blue Pond (Visit at night during winter)
Can you really say you’ve been to Biei if you haven’t checked out the Blue Pond?
It’s about a 20-minute drive from central Biei, but in winter, some of the smaller roads might be closed or icy, so it’s a good idea to check conditions before heading out. I took the bus, and it was a pretty easy trip.
If you’re driving, there’s a parking lot just a short walk from the viewing area. Parking and entry are both free.
In winter, the pond freezes over, making it blend into the snowy landscape. But the real magic happens at night with the Winter Illumination, when they light up the pond with cool, colorful lights—turning it into an even more stunning sight!
4. Shirahige Waterfall
Shirahige waterfall is just an 8 minute drive from the Blue Pond, making it super easy to visit both. While I definitely recommend visiting the Blue Pond at night, I would recommend visiting Shirahige Waterfall during the day in the winter.
The Waterfall never totally freezes in winter because it’s fed by underground spring water. Unlike regular waterfalls that get their water from rivers or surface runoff, this one gets a steady flow of warmer groundwater that stays at a stable temperature year-round.
It was also packed with tourists but its to be expected at a place as beautiful as this.
5. Drive The Patchwork Road
This was my favorite thing I did in Biei. I loved all the snowy landscapes. I felt like I was inside a snow globe.
The top locations I recommend prioritizing on the Patchwork Road are the Christmas Tree, Parent & Child Oak Trees, Mild Seven Hill.
I wrote a whole post dedicated to the Patchwork Road here if you want to check it out. It explains in detail what you can expect at each stop and how to get around if you don’t rent a car.
6. Enjoy some Soup Curry
If there’s one dish you have to try in Hokkaido, it’s soup curry. Unlike traditional Japanese curry, which is thick and rich, Hokkaido’s version is a flavorful, spiced broth loaded with vegetables, tender meat, and sometimes even seafood. It’s lighter than regular curry but still packed with deep, complex flavors.
You can customize the spice level, choose your protein (chicken, pork, seafood, or even lamb), and pick from an assortment of fresh local veggies like pumpkin, eggplant, and lotus root. It’s usually served with a side of rice, which you can dip or pour into the broth.
I have a lot of food allergies (mainly wheat and dairy), so I don’t always get to fully enjoy local cuisines as much as I’d like. But luckily, soup curry in Hokkaido is gluten- and dairy-free—and it was so good! Honestly, I pretty much lived on it while I was there.
I’ll admit, it looks kinda weird at first, but trust me, it’s good.
7. Enjoy some Biei Soft Serve Ice cream
I know what you’re thinking, Soft Serve Ice cream?? In the middle of winter? Apparently, yes. I was shocked by how many people had ice cream cones all over town as well as all over Shirahige Waterfall.
Maybe it’s normal in Japan to eat ice cream when its 8 degrees and snowing outside, but it definitely isn’t something you see in the United States where I live.
8. Take a walk around town
There are so many cool things to take photos of walking the side streets of Biei. I took all these photos right outside my Airbnb. I loved seeing the locals pulling their sleds full of groceries, shoveling snow, and the beautiful red berry trees (Rowan Trees) covered in snow all over town.
9. Warm up and Recharge at Biei Hills Cafe
I ended up eating at Biei Hills Cafe a few times while I was there. It’s super convenient—right across the street from the train station in the center of town. The prices were affordable, and the food was good.
Surprisingly, their soft serve ice cream was really popular, even in the middle of winter!
The vibe here reminded me of a Starbucks in the U.S.—they have chargers, WiFi, coffee, and a cozy atmosphere. It felt like a great spot to warm up and chill rather than just eat and leave. Plus, the views of the city were a nice bonus!
I ordered the Meat Curry and Rice for 1,100 yen (about $7 USD) and a soda for 400 yen ($2.60 USD).
10. See the Beautiful Birch Trees in Biei
One of the first things I noticed on my morning walk in Biei was the stunning white birch trees. The bright white bark stood out against the snowy landscape, making everything look even more magical.
Birch trees are found all over Hokkaido, and they’re especially striking in winter. The most common type here is the Japanese white birch, which apparently thrives in Hokkaido’s cold climate.
If you’re exploring Biei, you’ll likely see rows of birch trees lining the roads or standing alone in the vast snowy fields. There used to be a really famous row of birch trees near the Seven Stars Tree, but the farmer recently cut them down (2025) because too many tourists were walking into the fields to take photos.
No matter where you go in Hokkaido, these trees are a big part of the landscape—simple yet stunning, especially when dusted with fresh snow.
11. Visit the Alpaca Farm
I didn’t get a chance to visit this one, but I’ve seen a lot of people recommend it! I just didn’t have enough time, and since I didn’t rent a car, getting there would’ve been a bit tricky. But if you’re traveling with kids, it looks like a fun stop—you can even buy food to feed and pet the alpacas!
It’s only an 11-minute drive from Biei Station, and admission is 500 yen (about $3.28 USD) per person. Here’s the link to their website, though most of it is in Japanese. There’s an English option at the top, but when I checked, the Alpaca Farm info wasn’t available in English.
12. Day Trip to Furano
I’m definitely a slow traveler, especially when I’m traveling solo. Because of that, I ended up spending a few nights in both Biei and Furano—and I loved it! But if you’re short on time and want to cover more ground, it’s totally doable to take a day trip to Furano or vice versa.
The town of Furano is only a 45 minute car ride away. If you don’t have a car you can still day trip by train, the train ride will take about an hour.
The most popular thing to do in Furano (besides skiing) is visiting Ningle Terrace. Honestly, I wasn’t really interested—it just seemed a bit overhyped and not my thing. I read a bunch of reviews from people who were disappointed and said it wasn’t worth it, so maybe I let that influence me too much. But honestly? No regrets.
If you’re trying to decide where to stay overnight, I’d recommend Biei over Furano.
Furano is mainly a ski town, and almost everyone there is there to ski. So unless you’re planning to hit the slopes, there’s really no need to stay the night. Biei, on the other hand, has more to explore outside of skiing, making it the better choice if you’re not into winter sports.
Is a trip to Biei worth prioritizing on your trip to Hokkaido?
100% yes! Biei was one of my favorite spots during my trip to Hokkaido.