2. From Tomamu’s Unkai (sea of clouds) to Furano and Biei – A Tour of the Magnificent Scenery in Furano, Tomamu, and Biei with Ping-ping. Private road trip in Hokkaido.

On the second day, I got on a gondola lift leaving at 4 a.m. to go to Tomamu’s Unkai Terrace and saw a spectacular sea of clouds. After that, I visited Furano and Biei, and returned to New Chitose Airport.

Transportation

1)
Point of departure:　Tomamu
Point of arrival:　Furano
Required time:　1 hr 20 mins.
Main roads used:　Karikachi road (Road 38)
Expressway toll:　0 yen

2)
Point of departure:　Furano
Point of arrival:　Biei
Required time:　35 mins.
Main roads used:　Road 353
Expressway toll:　0 yen

3)
Point of departure:　Biei
Point of arrival:　New Chitose Airport
Required time:　2 hr 20 mins.
Main roads used:　Doto Expressway (Toll road)
Expressway toll:　4,730 yen

*The required times shown are standard times and do not include breaks.
*Expressway tolls differ depending on conditions.

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Highlights

1. Tomamu’s Unkai Terrace

Hotels

Hoshino Resorts Risonare Tomamu [ JAPANiCAN ]
Hoshino Resorts Tomamu The Tower [ JAPANiCAN ]

 

The gondola lift is operated from 4 a.m.

I was able to see the sun rise out of the sea of clouds.

Heading toward Unkai Bridge from Unkai Terrace.

Arrived at the fairytale-like bridge.

After walking further, I arrived at the observation deck.

I was completely absorbed in taking pictures.

The clouds come toward you one after another.

The guide gave an explanation of the sea of clouds.

I returned to the gondola lift boarding area.
At this point, there were only a small number of clouds. It looked like the sea of clouds was about to disappear.

It looked as though rays of sunlight were coming down from heaven.

I drew a fortune slip. “Excellent luck”!

Going back on a gondola lift.

At this point, the sea of clouds was disappearing.

I left Tomamu after eating breakfast.

Hotels

Hoshino Resorts Risonare Tomamu [ JAPANiCAN ]
Hoshino Resorts Tomamu The Tower [ JAPANiCAN ] (photo above)

Now, I am off to Furano!

 

 

2. Furano

I stopped by at Lake Kanayama on the way.

The area offers a wonderful view of lavender plants and the lake.

Then I visited Farm Tomita again.
I toured flower gardens that I hadn’t walked through the day before.

The blue sky and lavender plants were gorgeous.

　

Hotels in Furano

Furano Hotel [ Booking.com, Agoda, JAPANiCAN ]
Furano Resort Orika [ JAPANiCAN ]
New Furano Prince Hotel [ Booking.com, Agoda, JAPANiCAN ]

 

Then, heading toward Shirogane Hot Springs, I drove up a mountain road.
On my way to the hot springs, I encountered a fox family.

I arrived at Tokachidake Bogakudai Observation Tower.

When I looked down, I could see Furano in a faraway distance although I was there just awhile ago.

Then, I arrived at Shirogane hot springs.

There are a few hot spring inns.

 

Yumoto Shirogane Onsen Hotel [ Booking.com, Agoda, JAPANiCAN ] (photo above first)
Hotel Park Hills [ Booking.com, Agoda, JAPANiCAN ] (photo above second)
Taisetsuzan Shiroganekanko Hotel [ Booking.com, Agoda, JAPANiCAN ]
Mori no Ryotei Biei [ JAPANiCAN ]

 

There is a waterfall nearby. I was surprised at how blue the water was.

After seeing the blue waterfall, I arrived at a blue pond.
There were many visitors as this pond is famous for being adopted as the wallpaper of Apple computers.

 

 

3. Biei

And finally, I arrived at the last stop of this trip – Biei, the town of hills.
The potato plants had beautiful flowers.

This is the famous Ken and Mary Tree, the tree that was used in a commercial for Nissan Skyline.

Nothing but wheat fields! This hill was used in a commercial for Mild Seven cigarettes.

The view of this hill is magnificent.

I passed through Asahikawa and headed back to New Chitose Airport on a highway.

Onsen ryokan near Asahikawa

Hotel Taisetsu  [ Booking.com, JTO, JAPANiCAN ]

 

After driving for two hours from the Asahikawa IC, I got back to New Chitose Airport.

See you again!

 

 

Route map

 

 

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Hokkaido (Report made in July 2016)

• A Tour of the Magnificent Scenery in Furano, Tomamu, and Biei with Ping-ping. Private road trip in Hokkaido.
• 1. From Sapporo to Furano.
• 2. From Tomamu’s Unkai(sea of clouds) to Furano and Biei.

 

Kyushu (Report made in July 2016)

• Going around popular hot springs by rental car
• 1. From Fukuoka City to Ureshino Hot Spring(Onsen), Saga Prefecture
• 2. From Ureshino Hot Spring(Onsen) to Nagasaki City and Unzen Hot Spring(Onsen), Nagasaki Prefecture
• 3. From Unzen Hot Spring(Onsen) to Kurokawa Hot Spring(Onsen), Kumamoto Prefecture, and Yufuin Hot Spring(Onsen), Oita Prefecture
• 4. From Yufuin Hot Spring(Onsen) to Beppu Hot Spring(Onsen), Oita Prefecture, and Fukuoka Airport