Why this road
The direct road from Asahikawa to Furano follows the valley and takes about an hour. This route adds roughly half an hour of driving and gives you the country Biei is famous for: hilltop views over fields in every color, lone trees that have become landmarks, a pond of milky blue water with bare larch trunks standing in it, and in July the purple stripes of the lavender farms. It is about 1.5 hours of driving without stops, on quiet roads.
The route
- AAsahikawa
Leave Hokkaido's second city south on Route 237 towards Biei. The fields begin as soon as the houses end.
- 1Hokusei-no-oka Observatory
A hilltop park with a pyramid-shaped viewing tower, in the middle of the Patchwork Road. The famous single trees stand on the farm roads around it.
- 2Biei
A small town with a few cafés and the starting point for both scenic roads, the Patchwork Road to the north-west and the Panorama Road to the south-east.
- 3Blue Pond
Up towards the mountains to Shirogane. The pond's water is a milky blue from minerals, and dead larches stand in it. The Shirahige waterfall is a few minutes further on.
- 4Farm Tomita
Down through farmland to the best-known lavender farm, with strips of flowers in many colors on a hillside.
- BFurano
A farming town in the valley, known for lavender, melons and cheese in summer and skiing in winter.
Stops worth it
Twenty minutes for the view from the tower over the patchwork of fields and the Tokachi mountains.
Half an hour. Come early and on a calm day: without wind, the trunks reflect in the water. The car park is paid.
Forty-five minutes among the flower fields. Entry is free. In July it is very busy, so arrive early.
Light and the best time
The hills look best in low light, when every slope throws a shadow and the stripes of the fields stand out. That means early morning or late afternoon. In summer the sun rises very early in Hokkaido, and by mid-morning the light is flat and the coaches arrive. Starting at seven gives you soft side light on the Patchwork Road and the Blue Pond before the crowds, with the sun still in the east behind you as you look west over the fields from the observatory.
Lavender usually flowers from late June to early August, with the peak around mid-July. June brings fresh green, August and September golden harvest fields. In winter the hills disappear under deep snow, which is beautiful but means driving on snow and ice. July is the busiest month by far.
By vehicle
Easy roads with little traffic outside the town centers. A rental car is the easiest way to see the farm roads.
Lovely on a summer morning, the air is fresh and the views go in all directions.
Hokkaido is a favorite for riders. Quiet roads and wide views, but watch for farm vehicles and for cars stopping suddenly.
Fine on the main roads. The narrow farm lanes around the famous trees are no place for a big vehicle.
Good to know
There are no tolls on this route. Japan drives on the left, and the rules differ by country. Germany and Switzerland: carry your licence with an official Japanese translation (JAF). Austria: an International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention (ÖAMTC). Vienna-Convention permits are not valid. Each is valid for at most 1 year after entry; carry your original licence. Most fields are private farmland: do not walk into them, and only park where it is allowed. Several famous trees have been cut down because visitors trampled the crops. Some car parks, such as at the Blue Pond, are paid.
Route checked against OpenStreetMap on 2 November 2026. Roads, closures and rules change: always check before you go and follow local signs.
Questions
When is lavender season in Furano?
Usually from late June to early August, with the peak around mid-July. It varies a little each year.
How long does it take to drive from Asahikawa to Furano via Biei?
About 1.5 hours of driving on this route without stops. With the stops, plan half a day or more.
Is Farm Tomita free?
Yes, entry to the farm and the flower fields is free.
Can you visit the Blue Pond in winter?
Yes, it is open all year. In winter it is usually frozen and covered in snow, so the blue color is mostly a summer sight.
Can I walk into the fields in Biei?
No. They are working farms. Stay on public roads and paths, and do not stop on narrow farm lanes.