Journeys in Japan - 2012/02/07 - Furano and Biei, Hokkaido

Feb. 7, Tue. 0:30 - 1:00 (UTC) etc.

"FURANO: Hokkaido"
- White Wintry World -

- Biei Town of Hills
- Beautiful dishes using ingredients harvested in Biei
- Snow Shoe Tour is an activity for enjoying the snowy nature world.

Journeys in Japan this time introduces Furano area in Hokkaido in northern Japan, covered in white snow in winter. Furano is situated right in the center of Hokkaido. As the area is located away from the coast, the air is dry. The dry and very cold weather result in the world's top-grade powder snow that falls in the area. In recent years, that snow quality is drawing attention of ski-lovers around the globe.
The traveler, who visits such place famous for its snow, is Deborah Ten from the tropical country of Malaysia.
The woman from a hot region of Asia visits a snow-covered place actually for the first time in her life, and discovers various charms of snow not limited to skiing.

Furano skiing ground
This skiing ground boasts one of the largest skiing fields in Hokkaido.
While offering the best-quality powder snow, it has good access from urban areas, and the number of tourists from many overseas countries is rapidly increasing.
Instructors especially for foreign tourists are always available at a rental shop at the foot of the skiing ground, and they offer kind help in English even for first-time skiers.

For inquiries, please access:
Sportpia
http://www.sportpia.co.jp/en/furanosnowschool.html (English site)

Biei Town of Hills
Biei Town, situated about 40 minutes by car from Furano, is an agricultural district with continuing hills.
It is a tourism spot popular among photo-takers, as wide spreading landscape offers various sceneries through the 4 seasons.
Tourism taxis are convenient for moving around in winter. They can be chartered at fixed rates for certain hours and drivers, who know the local areas well, take you to wherever you like.

For inquiries, please access:
Chuo Hire
http://www.chuo-hire.com/plan.html (in Japanese only)
Chartering taxi
6,600 yen ~ per hour (Price can be set for every 30 minutes.)

Vegetables Menu from the Land of Biei
A small restaurant is found in a corner of Biei.
It offers dishes using ingredients harvested in Biei and nearby areas throughout the year.
The theme of the dishes is "Scenery in Biei in different seasons, imaged by the chef".
You can enjoy colorful courses through the 4 seasons.

For inquiries:
Antica Osteria del Valore
http://www.biei-valore.com/home.html (in Japanese only)

Pasta course 1,100 yen ~
Chef-arranged course 3,150 yen ~ (reservation needed)

You are recommended to make contact in advance, as the restaurant has only about a dozen seats and clients with reservations are given priority.

Snow Shoe Tour
This is an activity in snow, other than skiing, for enjoying the snow.
You walk around a coniferous forest spreading half-way up Mount Tokachi, in snow more than 1-meter deep.
In the forest which appears quiet, covered in white snow, you look for signs of living creatures and feel the warmth of stoutly existing trees.
The goal of the tour is a natural hot spring gushing out along a valley.
It is an open-air hot bath loved by local people as well, and a time of extreme happiness -- of warming up while viewing snow -- is waiting for you.

For inquiries about snow shoes:
Wokkys
http://www.wokkys.jp/winter/english/halfday.htm (English site)

For inquiries about the hot spring:
Fukiage Onsen Hoyo Center Hakugin-so
http://www.navi-kita.net/shisetsu/hakugin/ (in Japanese only)

Please mention that you are inquiring about the open-air "Fukiage-no-yu".

Traveler: Deborah Ten
Access Map

Access:
It takes about 2 and half hours by a tour bus from Shin-chitose Airport to Furano skiing ground.
From Asahikawa Airport, there is a regular bus service and it takes about 1 hour to the skiing ground, but there is less number of flights and you would need to confirm the timetable in advance.

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part 1 of 1: http://www.mediafire.com/?t680356b7kt4ob9