Planning to visit Furano and Biei in Hokkaido, but wondering if you’ll be overwhelmed with too many tourists? If you are looking for off-the-beaten paths to avoid the crowds, here are the top 6 hidden spots that locals love.

Please keep this in mind before your visit…

In this blog post, I am happy to introduce these lesser-known and hidden spots around Furano and Biei. These places are truly special for local communities and remain relatively untouched by mass tourism. My local friends and I kindly ask all visitors to help us preserve the natural beauty and environment of these places by respecting local guidelines.

Thank you for understanding!

This article was written by Dimi, a local from Furano.

1. FUKIAGE OPEN-AIR ONSEN

If you are visiting the famous Blue Pond and Shirahige Waterfall, why not take a quick 10-minute drive from there to discover this open-air natural onsen? This hot spring is open for 24 hours and free to everyone! Away from the crowds, you can just relax surrounded by forests.

As this is a natural hot spring in the mountains with no changing room, we advise you to come with your swimsuits. Also note that this is for both men and women without separations.

There are mainly two baths, with one being very hot and the other rather lukewarm. The spring water at Fukiage is acidic and helps against neuralgia and skin diseases. However, it’s quite acidic, so if you have sensitive skin, it’s better to rinse your body with regular tap water after bathing. There is also a perfect space to lie down next to the baths. Make sure to take breaks before you feel too hot!

INFORMATION

🕐 Hours: 24 hours open, but might be closed on some days during the winter when there is heavy snow
🚃 Take a bus from Kami Furano Station direction Fukiage Recreation Center Hakuginso, then walk 5 minutes
📍 Google Map

2. TORINUMA PARK

Close from central Furano yet unknown to many people is this beautiful park, especially known for its clear-water pond, called Torinuma. This pond is unique and special, as it doesn’t freeze during the winter time, when it can get as cold as -20 to -30 degrees due to the water constantly springing up from underground. The water here is so clear that it reflects the trees surrounding the pond. You can also see different kinds of fish swimming, including trout which is a common fish in Hokkaido.

Every year from around April to October, the park offers boats on the pond for free (except for the nighttime and winter). You can unchain the boats by yourself, board them, and re-chain them when you return them. I recommend using the boat to see the fish clearly and enjoy nature around the pond. Autumn is also a good time that I recommend visiting there, as the clear water reflects the autumn leaves beautifully.

INFORMATION

🕐 Hours: 9:00〜17:00
🚃 10-minute drive from central Furano
📍Google Map

3. Goto Museum

Interested in art? Visit Goto Sumio’s museum: one of the very few museums that exist in Furano city. Sumio is one of the most famous Japanese painters, who spent 86 years of his life dedicated to painting. In 1991, he built this studio in Kami-Furano with the hope that people would come to see his paintings in a place surrounded by beautiful nature. This museum was built, as he describes, to make his “dream house”.

Here you will find about 130 artworks, many of which feature beautiful nature sceneries of Hokkaido. I personally love to visit this museum, not only for its beautiful art but also to appreciate the area that it’s situated in. Together with Furano’s beautiful nature and Sumio’s painting, the two complement each other creating a calming and relaxing atmosphere.

INFORMATION

🕐 Hours: 9:00-17:00 (closes at 16:00 from November to March)
🚃 5-minute drive from Kami Furano Stations
🎟️Adults: 1000 yen, children under 18: 500 yen, Group (more than 10 people): 800 yen/person, People with disability: 500 yen
📍Google Map

4. Lake Kanayama

This is one of my favorite hidden spots in Furano, where I visit with my family and dog every year. It’s the best lake in the region to go fishing for, but also to swim or canoe if you’d like to. But that’s not it: Lake Kanayama has camping areas on the lakeside for both regular tents and camper vans.

They also have a dog park, so feel free to bring your dog with you! Bonfires are also allowed, but be sure to use the offered fire pit and heat-resistant sheets. Firewood is sold at the nearby management building for 1000 yen per bundle.

If you are visiting in summer, you will a lavender field on the lakeside, blooming from late July to early August. This is one of a few spots where you can view beautiful lavenders with a lake and mountains behind, while avoiding the crowds in touristy flower parks.

In addition, at the Lake Kanayama Recreation Center, they have public baths open from 12:00-18:00 or until 20:00 during the summer. Enjoy the beautiful lake surrounded by Furano’s great nature!

INFORMATION

🚃 5 minute drive from Higashi-Kagoshi Station
📍Google Map

5. A LOCAL BURGER SHOP NEAR SHIRAHIGE WATERFALL

If you are visiting Shirahige Waterfall, make sure to stop by this burger restaurant, which is just a 5-minute drive away. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, this restaurant’s concept is to give customers the feeling of enjoying a picnic in the woods.

Here, you can enjoy delicious burgers using locally-grown ingredients in nature, as well as fresh dairy products, such as yogurt and soft-serve ice cream, from Biei Farm. The restaurant offers 30 indoor seats and 40 terrace seats with views of the forest. They also offer takeaway, perfect for a quick stop during your drive around Biei. The restaurant features a selection of outdoor clothing brands, such as THE NORTH FACE, promoting outdoor activities available in the Biei area.

INFORMATION

🕐 Hours: 9:00-18:00 (might change during winter)
🚃 20 minute drive by car from Biei station, 5 minute drive from Shirahige Waterfall
📲 Instagram
📍Google Map

5. Birch Forest

White birch trees are a symbol of Hokkaido. They are found across Hokkaido and make the iconic scenery of the island. In Biei, there is a small birch forest that is perfect for a calm, quiet stroll. There is a walking path which takes about 10 minutes to explore. I have seen people taking wedding pictures in this forest, which shows how truly beautiful this place is.

I personally think this place is beautiful both in winter and summer, but as someone who loves snow, I like coming here in winter better. Not confident in walking in the snow? Don’t worry, they regularly remove snow from the path, so it’s completely walkable even in winter! Right next to this forest is Takushinkan, a photo gallery that exhibits many photos capturing the charming nature of Biei. The gallery is open from 10:00 to 17:00 except from July to September.

Information

🚃 15 minute drive from Biei station
📍Google Map

NEED ADVICE ON YOUR TRIP PLAN?

I’M HERE TO HELP YOU!

I’ve been helping international travelers plan their dream trips to Hokkaido for many years. I’d be happy to plan your itinerary with you for Eastern Hokkaido as well as other regions.

Check out what you can ask me & why you should plan with a local expert like me.

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