4km Biei Secret Hills Walk
Heading to a highly remote corner of Biei's hills, we'll walk on public roads through the most beautiful scenery. Experience Biei with all of your senses - patchwork fields and mountain vistas await us...
JR Biei Station
Mid Apr ~ Mid Nov
09:00~/13:00~ 3hrs
Biei is well-known for its beautiful rolling hills, which are the result of local farmers' hard work. Visitors flock to famous landmarks and popular trees to enjoy this scenery. We will stay away from these popular sights however, enjoying a loop walk on public roads around a little-known part of town.
As we walk, we will be able to look out at Biei's famous scenery, hills rolling away to the beautiful Tokachi Volcanic Group mountain range far beyond. In spring, farmers make intricate patterns in the fields as they plant precious seeds. In summer, the fields are alive with their famous "patchwork" patterns. And in autumn, dazzling reds and yellows paint the view.
We'll take a short loop walk of around 4km from the start point and back - and of course, there's time to enjoy the scenery along the way! After the walk, we'll return to JR Biei Station.
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Please do not enter the fields. While the roads are public, the fields are the private property of Biei's farmers. Follow the instructions of your Dohoku Local at all times.
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Beware of large farm vehicles. Biei's roads are fairly narrow and some farm vehicles can be larger than its width. We must yield the road to farm vehicles when we see them.
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Do not take photos of farmers without their permission. Please respect the privacy of Biei townspeople. (Photos of tractors where the number plate and / or farmer's face are not identifiable are fine!)
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There are no toilets, convenience stores or vending machines in or near the route. Please use the facilities at Biei Station or the car park before we start walking.
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You will need good stamina and a basic level of fitness to join this experience.
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We can provide you with rental sun hats and rain ponchos if you do not have your own,
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The walk will take place in light rain but will be cancelled free of charge in the event of heavy rain, typhoon or thunderstorm forecasts.
Price (Per Person)
1 Person: ¥8,000
2 People+: ¥7,000
*Maximum 4 People, Minimum Age 6
Included
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Services of your Dohoku Local
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Sun hats and or ponchos if needed (please request in advance)
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Gum boots for wet days
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Free ride from / to JR Biei Station
Not Included
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Food, drinks etc (bring your own)
*Please make sure you wear comfortable shoes for this tour. Non-cotton socks are also advised to prevent blisters.
Terms & Conditions
We know, it's boring.
But if you'd like to join an experience, there are some particulars.
We appreciate your taking the time to read this before booking!
1. The minimum age for this experience is 6 years and above but your child must be happy to walk fairly long distances without sitting down. If your child is small enough to be carried, that's no problem! 2. Note that the fields we will be passing are private property. You will be told that you must not enter these fields. If you ignore this request and enter the fields regardless, the tour will be terminated on site and no refund will be given. 3. Large farm vehicles may occasionally pass us by. Please yield the road to any farm vehicles for your own safety. 4. Please respect the privacy of Biei's farmers and do not take identifiable photographs of them or their vehicles without their prior consent. (Photos in which their faces or vehicles cannot be identified are fine!) 5. If you are feeling tired and wish to terminate the walk early, we will return to the car and return to JR Biei Station. No refunds or discounts can be given for tours that are terminated early. 6. Bookings are accepted a minimum of 3 days in advance. Unfortunately we cannot accept bookings later than this. 7. Please let us know if you have any health or mobility issues that may affect you on this experience. 8. Aggressive or threatening behaviour towards your Dohoku Local or Biei townspeople will not be tolerated. 9. The participant accepts that they bear responsibility for any accident or injury, except for those caused by negligence or poor behaviour on the part of their Dohoku Local. 10. We reserve the right to cancel the reservation on the spot with no refund given if any of the T&C are breached. 11. Cancellation Policy: Full refund if cancelled by you, the participant, more than 24 hours before the experience. 100% cancellation fee if cancelled within 24 hours of the experience. Unfortunately we do not accept illness or injury as mitigating circumstances. If we have to cancel the experience due to unforeseen circumstances on Dohoku Local's end, a full refund will be given.