Shikisai Hill — Attraction in Biei

Perched in the rolling hills of Biei, Hokkaido, Shikisai no Oka—"Hill of Seasonal Colors"—feels less like a real place and more like a dream painted in blooms.

From spring to autumn, the land transforms into a living canvas. Rows upon rows of flowers—lavender, tulips, sunflowers, salvia—blossom in vibrant bands across the hillside. Each turn of the path offers a new burst of color, a new brushstroke in nature’s masterpiece. In summer, it’s as if the earth itself is wrapped in a rainbow.

But beauty here isn’t just seen—it’s felt. The air is crisp and clean. The hum of bees blends with laughter in the distance. And on the breeze comes the gentle scent of flowers and soil warmed by the sun.

Take a slow ride on the Norokko tractor train or meet the soft-eyed alpacas at the nearby farm—moments that make time feel suspended. And in winter, the hills soften under snow, offering snowmobiles and buggies that carve playful memories into the white.

Don’t forget the handmade soft-serve ice cream, rich with the sweetness of Biei’s fresh milk. It melts slowly, like the day itself.

Shikisai no Oka isn’t just a flower park—it’s a feeling. A quiet reminder of how much wonder lives in each season. And when you leave, you carry more than just photos—you carry a little piece of peace, blooming...

This flower garden in Biei is very impressive in terms of its expansive size and meticulous upkeep. Spread over rolling hill slopes, the flowering plants create bands of vibrant colours that are a sight to behold.

My wife and I visited the garden in July and the flower blooms were fresh and beautiful. Although summer was sunny and hot, our visit was blessed with a very pleasant daytime temperature of 22℃. It was very enjoyable to stroll along the pathways, enjoy the flowers and take photos.

As the garden is big, visitors can pay for transport options like tractor-pulled wagons or self-drive golf buggies. At the entrance, there is a big retail shop.

Carparking is chargeable at ¥500 per entry and we had to circle around to find a vacant lot. Entry into the garden is also chargeable at ¥500 per adult. Notwithstanding the charges, the garden attracts many visitors. Although the car park was full and the entrance was crowded when we visited, the garden had a relaxing atmosphere as visitors were well spread out across its extensive grounds.

In our two trips to Hokkaido, we visited Shikisai-no-Oka and both visits were memorable. It is a “must visit”...

Shikisai-no-oka is a popular sightseeing spot in Biei with its colourful flower fields. Although compact, it is a great sight to behold as the flowers of each season bloom beautifully. The parking fee is 500 yen and the entrance fee is also reasonable at 500 yen, making it a great place to stop by casually. A particularly recommended ride is the trolley (Norokko-go), which takes you around the park for 500 yen. The trolley takes you slowly around the park with its elevation differences, offering a panoramic view of the spectacular scenery. It is perfect for couples and families, and there are many photo-worthy spots. When you visit Biei for sightseeing, be sure to stop by.

The vast grounds, carefully maintained gardens and flowers are quite spectacular. Natural facilities of this scale are rarely seen in the city, and that alone is worth a visit. We visited on a bus tour and stayed for less than 30 minutes, so we didn't get a good look around, but I think we could have taken the photos we wanted to if we had that much time. There are enough beautiful flowers and amusements that a longer person could spend more than two...