Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [480]
Of course, the real appeal of Biei is simply exploring and getting lost in the beautiful nature surrounding the town. Whether you walk or ride, stick to the paths and roadsides: don’t tramp through the farmers’ fields or steal tastes of the produce that people’s livelihoods depend upon.
Bike rental is available at several places, including Gaido no Yamagoya (; 95-2277; www.yamagoya.jp; 8am-6pm), right outside the station, which has electrically assisted bicycles (great for those up-down hills!) for ¥600 per hour, as well as normal bikes for ¥200 per hour. If the snow is falling, it also arranges cross-country skiing and snowshoeing tours, starting at ¥2500 per person excluding equipment rental.
Sleeping & Eating
Most of the lodgings are set in gorgeous areas among fields or flowers, but they’re not particularly close to the station. Most will arrange to pick you up at the station if you call ahead, which is a good idea as navigating the area can be a bit tricky.
Biei Potato-no-Oka Youth Hostel (; 92-3255; www.potatovillage.com/eng/top.html; dm/r per person from ¥4620/6080, 4-person cottage ¥19,950, 3-5 person log house ¥13,650/18,900; ) Perched at the top of a field of potatoes (hence the cutesy name) about 15 minutes on foot west of the station, this highly recommended youth hostel has friendly, English-speaking staff that help to foster a warm communal environment. A variety of accommodation options are available in dormitories, private ensuite rooms and positively adorable cottages and log houses, though everyone congregates at night for dinners (extra cost) featuring local produce, most notably potatoes! The real attraction here, however, is the grocery-list of activities on offer, including hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing and even nightly stargazing.
Hotel L’Avenir (; 92-5555; www.biei-lavenir.com, in Japanese; 1-9-21 Honchō, s/d incl 2 meals from ¥6000/11,000; ) This Western-style hotel is a nice cross between an American roadside motel and a European country cottage. Modern and business-friendly rooms balance out folksier, hands-on crafts and activities, such as making your own butter, cheese, bread or ice cream. Turn left out of JR Biei station, pass the tourist info booth and L’Avenir is just beyond. LAN cable internet available.
Auberge Hermitage (; 92-0991; http://lilac.hokkai.net/~erumi, in Japanese; r per person incl 2 meals from ¥18,375; ) A comfortable place plopped in the middle of gorgeous fields southeast of the station. Sophisticated, and with lovely Western-style rooms, it also has delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen (all of the meals are homemade by the chef on premises). The 24-hour Jacuzzi with a large picture window is a swanky addition, made better by the fact that you can reserve it for private use. This upscale hotel only has six rooms, so book ahead.
Niji (Map; 95-2492; meals from ¥800; lunch & dinner Fri-Wed) Surely a great example of the international ideal: an American-style log cabin up on the Biei farmland hills, serving authentic Korean dishes: sizzling stone bibimbap or spicy soups. It has great views, too. No English menu, but the owner gladly makes suggestions or points out daily specials. Niji is past Bibaushi station.
Getting There & Away
There are frequent futsū on the JR Furano line between Biei and Asahikawa (¥530, 40 minutes), and between Biei and Furano (¥620, 30 minutes). Frequent highway buses also run between Biei and Asahikawa (¥520, 50 minutes). For drivers, Rte 237 runs between Asahikawa and Biei, though be extremely careful