Meet Yingying, our guest travel blogger. Let's discover a breathtaking spot known as "Shikisai-no-Oka" or the Hill of Seasonal Colors. The vast flower fields here are truly awe-inspiring, drawing in countless visitors. Join us as we explore this enchanting floral paradise and experience the allure of nature!
Hokkaido's flower fields are absolutely stunning, and the colorful stripes of flowers covering the hills from spring to autumn make Shikisai-no-oka in Biei a particularly picturesque destination. The fields look like a beautiful flower cloth made from the earth itself.
Hokkaido Attraction: Biei - Shikisai-no-Oka | Must-Visit in Hokkaido
Biei Town is situated in the hilly area at the foot of the Daisetsuzan-Tokachi mountain range in Hokkaido. Its gently curving fields stretch one after another, drawing in numerous visitors with their exquisite scenery. Against the backdrop of these hills, you can enjoy the expansive flower fields spanning approximately 150,000 square meters, making the viewpoint of Shikisai-no-Oka a uniquely splendid attraction. It operates from late April to late October during the Green season. Free parking is available beside the entrance, making it convenient for those driving to Hokkaido, especially if you're renting a car and using GPS; simply input the MapCode: 349 701 160*00 to reach the destination.
The entrance fee for Shikisai no Oka is 500 JPY for adults and 300 JPY for students. The fee is only charged from July to September, which is the most beautiful time to visit and well worth the cost. During other seasons, admission is free.
The entrance tickets and operating hours are as follows, and the park also features an alpaca farm. If you are visiting with children, consider purchasing tickets to interact with the alpacas (note that there are additional charges for various rides and entry to the alpaca farm).
Operating Hours by Season:
January to April: 9:10 AM – 5:00 PM
May and October: 8:40 AM – 5:00 PM
June to September: 8:40 AM – 5:30 PM
November to December: 9:10 AM – 4:30 PM
Shikisai no Oka is quite large, and from the entrance, there is a series of gravel slopes. Walking through the entire park requires some time and physical effort. If you prefer not to walk, or if you are visiting with elderly people or those with mobility issues, you can choose to pay for transportation options within the park, such as the NOROCCO tractor bus, self-driving tour cars, or go-karts.
Shikisai NOROCCO Tractor Bus
Duration: 15 minutes
Cost: Elementary, junior high, and high school students - 300 yen, high school students and above - 500 yen
*Parking once for photo-taking.
Self-Driving Touring Car
You can drive yourself comfortably to your favorite spots in the flower fields, making it a popular transportation choice.
Capacity: Up to 4 people
Cost: 2,000 yen for 15 minutes (rental available)
(Photos of the flower fields taken on 2023/7/10 below↓)
The beauty and grandeur are truly breathtaking to the naked eye, but if you, like me, enjoy taking photos with people as subjects, finding the right angle for the shot can indeed take a bit of searching.
I think the most beautiful view is when there's a whole rainbow-colored hill in the background. Unfortunately, when we went there (early July), the flower field behind had just been planted not long ago, so the colors weren't as vibrant yet (the picture above has been edited to enhance the colors). I believe the most beautiful season for Shikisai-no-Oka in Biei should be late July to early August.
↑ Here's the original picture for everyone to see. The flowers on the hill in the background are still small, and the colors aren't as vibrant (taken on 2023/7/10).
Another beautiful spot for taking photos is right here. When you walk to the middle of the park, there's a pathway between two flower fields where people can walk. The view of people and the scenery from this angle is truly stunning.
The angle you see in the picture above is what I find particularly beautiful. It creates the illusion that one is amidst the flowers, when in fact, it's just a pathway I walked on. It's just that the flower beds are taller, obscuring the view, making it seem like I'm surrounded by the blooms.
Each month showcases different blooming flowers. For flower enthusiasts, they can check which season their favorite flowers bloom in.
During the winter season, the flower fields are covered by snow, transforming into a vast "snowscape." Within this snowscape, activities like snowmobiling or snow biking are available, allowing even beginners to fully enjoy the snow and nature. Snow biking, in particular, is an exhilarating experience suitable for both thrill-seekers and novices, offering an opportunity to revel in the beauty of snow and the natural surroundings.
During the period from early December to February of the following year:
Hours: 9:00 – 16:00 (Closed on December 31st and January 1st)
During March:
Hours: 9:00 – 16:30 (Subject to change depending on snowfall)
*For reservations and pricing for snowmobiling and snowshoeing, please click here to check.
Hokkaido Biei | Shikisai-no-Oka
Address: Shinsei 3rd, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
MapCode: 349 701 160*00
Phone: 0166-95-2758
Admission: Adults 500 yen, Students 300 yen
Parking: Free (Can accommodate up to 20 large buses and 100 cars)
