Panorama Road
A rolling hill drive south of Biei Station to Bimanai, with bigger dips and climbs than the Patchwork Road, views of Tokachidake, and the Christmas Tree and Takushin Gallery.
The Panorama Road is the name for the rural hill roads south of Biei Station, running past Shinei Hill toward Bimanai. The terrain is more undulating than the Patchwork Road to the north, and the views are wider. The distant Tokachidake range stretches across the horizon, and the whole pastoral landscape is visible at once. Highlights include the Christmas Tree, a tree standing alone in a field shaped like a Christmas tree; Shinei Hill Observation Park, where you can watch the sunset; the Takushin Gallery, which displays works by photographer Shinzo Maeda; Sanai no Oka and Chiyoda no Oka lookouts; and Shikisai no Oka, with its vast flower fields. These can be combined into a half-day loop of about 20 km, and all are free to visit. Visitors can also continue to Shirogane Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls, or head south to the lavender fields at Tomita Farm in Furano. The roads are narrow, with many bends and blind crests. Park only in designated car parks to take photos, and never stop in the middle of the road or enter the fields. Roads ice over in winter, so rental cars need snow tyres and reduced speeds. In summer, car parks fill up on weekend peaks, so arrive before 9 a.m. or in the late afternoon, when the light is softer.