Patchwork Road
パッチワークの路
Rolling farmland northwest of Biei Station, where wheat and flower fields form patchworks of color. The route passes famous trees such as the Ken & Mary Tree and the Seven Star Tree, making it Biei’s classic self-drive and cycling route.
The Patchwork Road refers to the hilly farmland northwest of Biei Station, west of National Route 237. The rolling hills are planted with wheat, potatoes, buckwheat, and sugar beets. The different colored plots look like a patchwork quilt. Along the way are advertising shoot locations, including the Ken & Mary Tree, the Seven Star Tree, the Parent-Child Tree, Mild Seven Hill, and the North-West Hill Observation Park.
The loop is about 15 km long and takes 1 to 2 hours by car. You can also rent an electric bicycle at Biei Station, since the route is hilly and regular bicycles are tough going, or join a sightseeing bus tour.
Note: All of the fields are private farmland. Never enter them to take photos. In 2016, the Philosophy Tree in Biei was cut down by farmers after visitors trespassed on the land.
Opening hours
Open all day (roadside car parks open during daytime)
Nearby sights
- Hokusei no Oka Observation Park
- Oyako Tree (Parent and Child Trees)
- Ken and Mary Tree
- Zerubu no Oka
- Seven Stars Tree
- Shinei no Oka Observation Park
- Christmas Tree (Biei)
- Kanno Farm