Maruya Honten Meieki 3-chome | Review by 楊雅雯

Shirogane Blue Pond

The Shirogane Blue Pond in Biei is famous as the top tourist attraction in the area, captivating visitors with its vivid blue. This man-made pond unexpectedly formed when water accumulated behind a dam that was constructed to prevent volcanic mudflows from Mt. Tokachi. The surreal blue of the pond, combined with the surrounding lush nature and dead larch trees, creates an enchanting atmosphere reminiscent of a fairy tale.

• Furano and Biei
• Nature Spots

Oh my gosh! The vivid blue before my eyes was so beautiful it left me speechless!! It felt like stepping right into a computer wallpaper, so dreamy it almost didn't seem real.
The clear blue water and reflections of the dead trees created mesmerizing layers of blue in the sunlight. It looked beautiful no matter how I photographed it.
No wonder it's packed with people every day—everyone comes to see the legendary “Blue Pond” with their own eyes.
Although it was absolutely overflowing with visitors that day, the moment I saw the view, I still thought—it was worth it!

Hill of Zerubu & Hill of Atoms

This tourist farm, located on a hill along National Route 237, offers breathtaking views of Hokkaido’s natural beauty, including the Asahidake and Tokachidake mountain ranges. Visitors can enjoy a colorful display of seasonal flower fields, with around 30 different varieties such as 3,000 lavender plants, sunflowers, and poppies, blooming from spring to autumn.

• Furano and Biei
• Tourist Attractions

On the way to Biei, we unexpectedly came across the "Hill of Atoms," surrounded by Hokkaido's natural beauty. The hillside is covered with colorful flowers that change with the seasons, and the wide-open Hokkaido scenery makes it really photogenic.
It's also a free attraction, with free parking and restrooms, so there's no admission fee to worry about. It's definitely worth stopping by for a walk if you're passing through!
It takes about 20 minutes to stroll around the entire grounds, so you don't need to set aside much time to enjoy the fields of flowers and natural scenery. ATV rentals are also available for an additional fee if you want to explore further, but just walking around is honestly enough!
Some areas are only accessible by ATV, but for us, walking along the hillside, taking photos, and enjoying the Hokkaido breeze was already very satisfying.

Miyama Pass Art Park

Located along the national highway at the Miyama Pass, which borders the towns of Kamifurano and Biei, the Miyama Pass Art Park is a playful, multifaceted facility. At the heart of the facility is the Trick Art Museum, which showcases a variety of fascinating trick art pieces that appear to pop out from flat surfaces or change depending on the angle they are viewed from.

• Furano and Biei
• Amusement Parks & Theme parks

Coming to Furano, I didn't expect to find the fun-filled Miyama Pass Art Park tucked away amid beautiful views of the Tokachi mountain range!
It's not just a place to enjoy the scenery; it also has a trick art museum, a Ferris wheel, glass etching experiences, and other attractions. Doing these activities surrounded by mountain views creates an unexpected contrast that's pretty interesting!
My favorite part was looking out over the Furano landscape from up high, with the distant mountains and vast scenery all in view. The scenery alone makes it worth visiting.
But I have to say, the attractions here really aren't cheap...
Trick Art Museum: JPY 1,300
Ferris wheel: JPY 600
Glass etching experience: JPY 500
Grilled lamb (Jingisukan): about JPY 1,500
Add drinks, and before you know it, the total comes to over JPY 5,000. It hurt my wallet a little, but overall, I still think it's worth visiting at least once.