Patchwork Road is one of the most iconic scenic areas in Biei, Hokkaido. Broad, gently rolling hills stretch into the distance, covered with fields in different shades of green, yellow, and brown. Viewed from the surrounding roads, the landscape resembles a giant patchwork quilt made by stitching together pieces of different-colored fabric.
The fairytale-like scenery has an atmosphere reminiscent of the European countryside and is often referred to as the Patchwork Hills. The area is especially beautiful because the colors of the fields change with the seasons, while the mountains of the Daisetsuzan range can often be seen in the distance.
The term “Patchwork Road” refers to the hilly agricultural area to the west of central Biei, where numerous roads run through a broad expanse of farmland. Among them are wide farm roads that cross the western part of Biei, creating a network of routes through the scenic hills.
The area has also become famous for its picturesque trees and expansive views, with several locations having been used as settings for television commercials. The combination of rolling farmland, solitary trees, open skies, and distant mountains creates a landscape that has become synonymous with Biei.
The colorful patterns are not simply the result of landscaping. They are closely connected to the way farmers cultivate the land.
Growing the same crop repeatedly in the same field can cause continuous-cropping problems, gradually reducing soil fertility and making crops more vulnerable to disease. To prevent this, farmers rotate crops with different growing periods and harvest seasons, including potatoes, wheat, beans, and sugar beets.
Because different crops cover the fields at different stages of growth, each field takes on a different color and texture. Together, the individual fields form the enormous patchwork pattern that gives this landscape its name.
This solitary poplar tree is one of the well-known landmarks in the Patchwork Road area. Its simple silhouette standing against the open Biei landscape has become an iconic image of the region.
Mild Seven Hill is another famous viewpoint associated with Biei’s distinctive agricultural scenery. Its expansive fields and rows of trees became widely recognized after appearing in a commercial for Mild Seven cigarettes.
The Seven Stars Tree is a solitary tree standing on a hill amid Biei’s vast farmland. Its simple yet striking appearance has made it one of the area’s most recognizable photographic subjects.
Another seasonal feature of the Biei landscape is the appearance of large golden rolls of straw. Known as bakkan, or wheat straw, these rolls are made by mechanically compressing the straw left after the wheat grain has been harvested.
Each roll can weigh approximately 300 kilograms, making these enormous cylinders an impressive sight as they are scattered across the harvested fields. The straw is primarily used as bedding for cattle.
Because wheat is harvested around late July through August, the straw rolls can only be seen for a relatively short period each year. Their appearance adds yet another seasonal pattern to the ever-changing scenery of Patchwork Road.
One of the greatest attractions of Patchwork Road is that there is no single “best” season. Spring brings fresh green fields, summer creates a vibrant mosaic of crops, autumn adds golden tones to the hills, and winter transforms the farmland into a vast snowy landscape.
With its gently undulating hills, colorful agricultural fields, famous solitary trees, and distant views of the Daisetsuzan mountains, Patchwork Road offers a quintessential Biei landscape that feels both expansive and peaceful.
5 minutes by cab from Biei Station on the JR Furano Line toward Hokuei