🌸 Hokkaido · 1–2 days
Biei & Furano: Hokkaido’s Flower-Field Drive
The classic central Hokkaido drive from Asahikawa through the rolling patchwork hills of Biei to the lavender fields of Furano — 5 michi-no-eki, the Blue Pond and big-sky farm country.
This is the Hokkaido of postcards: the patchwork hills of Biei, the cobalt Blue Pond at Shirogane, and the lavender and flower fields around Furano that turn purple, red and gold through summer. The roads are wide and empty, the light is enormous, and there’s a farm stand or michi-no-eki around every rise.
The drive runs south from Asahikawa (Hokkaido’s second city and easiest car-rental base after the airport) through Higashikawa and Biei to the Shirogane area, then on toward Furano. Time it for mid-July lavender or late-September gold.
The stops, in driving order
- 1 Michi-no-Eki Asahikawa 道の駅 あさひかわ · Hokkaido
Michi-no-Eki Asahikawa (道の駅 あさひかわ) is a government-designated roadside station in 旭川市, Hokkaido, Japan, registered in 2000 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a cafe, a local-products shop, a tourist-information desk and a baby room. There is free parking for about 100 cars and 6 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 9:00–21:00 （売店は19:00（夏季）まで・フードコートは店舗により異なります). Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Hokkaido road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Touma, Higashikawa ( Michikusa Kan ) and Biei ( Oka Nokura ).
Nearby: 🏛Miura Ayako Literature Museum (0.7 km) · 📸Kamuikotan Stone (0.8 km)
- 2 Michi-no-Eki Higashikawa ( Michikusa Kan ) 道の駅 ひがしかわ「道草館」 · Hokkaido
Michi-no-Eki Higashikawa ( Michikusa Kan ) (道の駅 ひがしかわ「道草館」) is a government-designated roadside station in 上川郡東川町, Hokkaido, Japan, one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a cafe, a local-products shop, free Wi-Fi, a tourist-information desk and an accessible restroom. There is free parking for about 51 cars and 2 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 9:00–19:00. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Hokkaido road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Biei ( Oka Nokura ), Asahikawa and Touma.
Nearby: 🏛彫刻の館 (3.1 km) · 🏛フォトギャラリー北写人 (6.9 km)
- 3 Michi-no-Eki Biei ( Oka Nokura ) 道の駅 びえい「丘のくら」 · Hokkaido
Michi-no-Eki Biei ( Oka Nokura ) (道の駅 びえい「丘のくら」) is a government-designated roadside station in 上川郡美瑛町, Hokkaido, Japan, registered in 2007 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a cafe, a local-products shop, lodging and a tourist-information desk. There is free parking for about 21 cars and 2 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 9:00–18:00（6–８月） 9:00–17:00（3–5月、9–11月） 10:00–17:00（12–2月）. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Hokkaido road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Higashikawa ( Michikusa Kan ), Shirogane Biruke and Asahikawa.
Nearby: 🌄Northwest Hill (1.6 km) · 📸Ken & Mary Tree (1.9 km)
- 4 Michi-no-Eki Shirogane Biruke 道の駅 白金ビルケ · Hokkaido
Michi-no-Eki Shirogane Biruke (道の駅 白金ビルケ) is a government-designated roadside station in 上川郡美瑛町, Hokkaido, Japan, one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a cafe, a local-products shop, showers and free Wi-Fi. There is free parking for about 229 cars and 5 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 9:00–18:00（6–８月） 9:00–17:00（3–5月、9–11月） 10:00–17:00（12–2月）. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Hokkaido road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Biei ( Oka Nokura ), Higashikawa ( Michikusa Kan ) and Asahikawa.
Nearby: 📸Shirahige Falls (4.6 km) · 🌄Bogakudai (7.5 km)
- 5 Michi-no-Eki Minami Furano 道の駅 南ふらの · Hokkaido
Michi-no-Eki Minami Furano (道の駅 南ふらの) is a government-designated roadside station in 空知郡南富良野町, Hokkaido, Japan, registered in 1993 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a local-products shop, free Wi-Fi, a tourist-information desk and a park. There is free parking for about 74 cars and 10 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 9:00–17:00（6–9月は19:00まで）. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Hokkaido road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Shizentai Kan Shimukappu, Jukai Roodo Hidaka and Shirogane Biruke.
Nearby: 📸ぽっぽやロケ地 (0.9 km) · ⛰Mount Shamansha (5.6 km)
Make this route yours — load all 5 stops into the planner, reorder or remove stops, then open the finished trip in Google Maps.
Customize this route →Route tips
- The Shirogane Blue Pond is most vivid on calm, bright mornings — go early before tour buses.
- Biei’s hill roads (Patchwork Road, Panorama Road) are the drive itself — allow time to wander them.
- Lavender peaks around mid-July; Farm Tomita near Furano is the famous field.
- Rent the car in Asahikawa (city or airport) to skip the long haul from Sapporo.
Before you drive
- Can you drive in Japan? License rules by country
- Renting a car in Japan: the complete guide
- Can you sleep overnight at a michi-no-eki?
FAQ — Biei & Furano
How many days do you need for the Biei & Furano route?
1–2 days is a comfortable pace: roughly 100 km of driving with 5 michi-no-eki stops along the way. You can compress it, but the stops are the point.
Where does the route start and end?
It starts at Asahikawa and ends at Minami-Furano. Load all 5 stops into the free MichiStops route planner to reorder, add or remove stops, then open the finished trip in Google Maps.
When is the best season to drive this route?
June–September (lavender peaks mid-July); autumn colour late September.
Do I need to rent a car?
Yes — michi-no-eki are roadside stations, realistically reachable only by rental car or campervan. Most visitors can drive in Japan with a 1949-convention International Driving Permit; check the license rules for your country before booking. License rules by country →
Can I sleep overnight at the michi-no-eki on this route?
Resting overnight in your vehicle is tolerated at most michi-no-eki, but tents, awnings and open-air cooking are not allowed. Read the overnight-stay guide for the etiquette. Overnight-stay guide →