My Experience Visiting Biei Without a Car
I had just finished a month-long trip around Hokkaido. I started in Sapporo at the end of December, made my way up to Asahikawa, explored Furano, and then spent a few days in Biei.
I did not rent a car.
I was there in the middle of winter.
And honestly? I was still confused about how I was going to make it work even after doing hours of research.
I had so many questions before going:
- Is it still worth visiting without a car?
- How do you get to the Blue Pond?
- What about Shirahige Waterfall?
- How do you see the famous trees?
- Do you have to book a tour?
- Can you hire a taxi?
- How do you call a taxi if you don’t speak Japanese?
- Why are all the taxi websites only in Japanese?!
It felt overwhelming.
But I’m so glad I went anyway.
First: The Town of Biei Is Very Walkable
I booked my accommodation last minute (literally the day before arriving), and I was shocked at how much was already sold out. I clearly underestimated how popular Biei is in winter.
We ended up booking an Airbnb for $175 a night — more than we wanted to spend — but options were limited at that point.
Thankfully, it was walking distance from Biei Station and about five minutes from the town center.
The town itself is tiny and very walkable. I walked everywhere while in town.
But — and this is important — you cannot walk to the major scenic attractions outside of town in winter.
What I Was Able to See Without a Car
Even without renting a car, I saw:
- Shirahige Waterfall
- The Blue Pond
- The Christmas Tree
- Parent & Child Oak Trees
- Mild Seven Hill
- Seven Stars Tree
- Ken & Mary Tree
It was completely doable. It just required mixing transportation methods.
The 3 Ways to Get Around Biei Without a Car
I personally used three different options:
1. Public Transportation (Train + Bus)
- I took the train from Asahikawa to Biei — super easy and affordable.
- I took the Dohoku Bus to get to Shirahige Waterfall.
The bus stop is not at the train station (which confused me beforehand).
It’s located across the street from Biei Station, in front of the Asahikawa Shinkin Bank branch — about a two-minute walk.
To get to Shirahige Waterfall, you get off at the Shirogane Onsen stop.
It’s about 30 minutes from town and one stop after the Blue Pond.
When I visited in mid-January, the bus ran about 10 times a day:
- First bus: 6:55 AM
- Last bus: 5:35 PM
Schedules vary by season, so double-check once you arrive.
You pay when getting off the bus. They accept cash and card.
You tap when getting on and again when getting off (yes, even though you pay at the end — I don’t fully understand it either 😂).
The public bus taking us to Shirahige Waterfall. Seats filled up fast so I recommend getting there early unless you don’t mind standing.
2. Hiring a Taxi (My Favorite Option)
This was honestly the best decision I made in Biei.
I hired a taxi for two hours to drive me along the Patchwork Road route to see all the famous trees.
It gave me total flexibility.
No waiting for buses.
No rushing.
If you’re debating whether it’s worth the extra money — it is.
How to Hire a Taxi in Biei (Even If You Don’t Speak Japanese)
If you do nothing else, do this:
Go to the Tourist Information Center next to Biei Station.
It’s directly to the left when you exit the station.
I can’t stress this enough — they handle everything for you.
They:
- Call the taxi
- Explain course options
- Help you customize your route
- Tell you bus schedules
- Explain the best times to visit the Blue Pond and waterfall
The woman I spoke with spoke perfect English.
The process is simple:
- Tell them you want to hire a taxi.
- Choose how many hours you want.
- Fill out a short form with your name and destinations.
- The driver receives a copy of your route.
My driver didn’t speak English — but he used Google Translate constantly and we talked the entire ride. He told me facts about Biei, recommended photo spots, and was genuinely so kind.
Language barrier was not an issue at all. He picked me up in front of my Airbnb.
Important:
You will pay in cash.
Bring enough yen. Most drivers carry change, but don’t rely on it.
3. Guided Tours
I also booked a winter illumination tour to see the Blue Pond and Shirahige Waterfall at night.
The illumination starts around 5:30 PM, and the regular bus schedule doesn’t work well for that timing.
If you want to see the evening lights without worrying about bus schedules, a tour is the easiest option.
Final Thoughts: Is Biei Worth Visiting Without a Car?
Yes.
It requires more planning than having your own vehicle — but it’s absolutely possible.
And honestly? Figuring it out once I arrived wasn’t nearly as stressful as all the online debates made it seem.
If you’re on the fence because you don’t want to rent a car — don’t let that stop you.
Biei in winter is magical.
