5 DAYS EAST HOKKADIO PRIVATE TOUR

Known as the lake in the sky, Lake Shikaribetsu is located at the highest altitude in Hokkaido. A spot at Lake Shikaribetsu that went viral on social media is the railway tracks submerged in the lake. One can see what appears to be railway tracks sinking into the beautiful, clear waters of the lake. It is a mysterious sight that appears to have popped out of an anime film.

Constructed in 1937, Taushubetsu River Bridge is a reminder of the days when trains ran across concrete bridges to transport wood used in construction for the war effort. The decommissioned bridge is located amidst breathtaking scenery, making it a must-visit spot for photographers, especially in the Fall when the bridge is reflected beautifully in the lake surrounding it. However, the harsh Hokkaido climate takes a constant toll and it is not clear how much longer it will survive. Visit soon before this unique sight is lost forever to the ravages of nature.

Mikuni Pass, at 1,139 m, is the highest among all the national highways in Hokkaido. A vast sea of trees spreads out before one's eyes from the observation deck, and the scenery remains just as beautiful no matter which season of the year you visit in. In autumn, the season of red foliage, the trees turn red and yellow, so visitors will be treated to an especially lovely view. Matsumi-Ohashi Bridge, a red-colored bridge stretching across the sea of trees, is one of the highlights.

The vast hilly area that spreads out to the northwest of Biei city is called the "Patchwork Road" and is a familiar view spot featured in Hokkaido tourist brochures and commercials. The road got its name from the fact that the various crops planted in each section looked like a patchwork. In Biei Town, the Panorama Road area stretches to the south of the Patchwork Road. This is a popular tourist route with many elevated plateaus where you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the surroundings. There are many galleries, including the "Photo Gallery Takushinkan" of the photographer who made the hill town of Biei known throughout Japan, and the "San'ai no Oka Observation Park" with its red triangular roof. Of these, the Shinei-no-oka Observation Park is reputed to offer the most beautiful view of the sunset in the area.

The Shirahige Waterfalls in the Shirogane Onsen Area of Biei originate from a cluster of ground streams that gush out of the cliff-side and into the stream below. This unique type of waterfall is a rarity, even in Japan. The Biei River, which flows beneath the waterfall, is often called the “Blue River” due to its deep cobalt blue hue. The flowing blue river and the starkly contrasting white of the rushing falls create a truly breath-taking sight. From November to April, visitors to the falls can experience a gorgeous evening event in which the falls are illuminated with dozens of twinkling lights.

The Blue Pond is a happy accident. Located near the town of Biei, the pond was created to stop damage from mudflows from Mt. Tokachi. The color of the pond ranges from a vibrant turquoise to emerald to cobalt blue, caused by impurities in the waters from the Shirahige Falls. The seasons and the wind, clouds, and rain can all change its aspect.

Shikisai no Oka (Four Seasons Hill) is a flower garden on a hill carpeted with flowers from April to October. This feast for the eye features tulips, lupine, lavender, salvia, sunflowers, dahlia, and Japanese anemone. While driving through central Hokkaido, make sure to take the renowned “Roller Coaster Road” in order to experience the beautiful and varied scenery of Kamifurano. The road, characterized by its abrupt ascending and descending slopes, is a straight 4-kilometer route that cuts through some of Hokkaido’s most iconic landscape. The beginning of this road is marked by a signpost reading “West 11 Farm Road,” and stands along national highway No. 237. From there, the road climbs and descends, not unlike a roller coaster, for 2.5 kilometers, passing by the beautiful hills and paddy fields at the base of the Mt. Tokachi Range.

A small village of log-houses sits spirited away in the forests of Furano, not far from the New Furano Prince Hotel. This charming little hidden village emanates a magical air about it, and many local artisans come to sell their one-of-a-kind wares here.With its iconic, orderly fields of flowers, Farm Tomita is one of the most photographed spots in Hokkaido and a major draw in summer. While they make for spectacular photographs, the gentle hills carpeted in lavender and other blooms fill the air with relaxing scents. While the farm has blooms from April to October, the iconic fields of lavender are best viewed from early to late July.