Last night's bear still in my head, I woke up to a Monbetsu morning. Today the Sea of Okhotsk falls away and the route turns inland — toward Biei and Furano. The way the landscape changes within a single day is part of what makes touring Hokkaido fun.
A break at Kamifurano's Saerubu-no-oka
From Monbetsu, inland. By the time I reached Kamifurano the air had brightened. Saerubu-no-oka is a hilly area known for its flowers — different blooms by season. The lavender wasn't quite up yet in June, but the rolling hills and patchwork pattern were beautiful.
Biei — the Blue Pond
A short ride from Kamifurano into Biei. The place I'd most been looking forward to: the Blue Pond. The one that made it onto Mac wallpapers. Until I saw it I half-suspected it was Photoshop. It's not. It really looks like that.
I'd heard a clear morning is the moment — no backlight, bluest blue — so I went first thing. Just as advertised. Dead trees rising from the surface, like something out of science fiction. And that blue — happily, it does come through in photos.
The Ken & Mary Tree, the Seven Star Tree
Biei has more besides. The Ken & Mary Tree and the Seven Star Tree. A town where a single tree becomes its own destination.
The Patchwork Road, the Roller-Coaster Road
The roads connecting these tree spots are themselves the scenery. The Patchwork Road turns each rolling field into a different colored carpet — riding alone is enjoyable. The Roller-Coaster Road, true to its name, runs straight ahead while pitching up and down all the way to the horizon.
Hotel Lavenir (Biei)
After looping Biei, lodging at Hotel Lavenir. The adjacent Roadside Station Biei "Oka-no-kura" stocks local food and crafts. Tomorrow: the lavender at Furano, then the final leg to Tomakomai.
From Okhotsk to Biei, the landscape shifts within a single day. Hokkaido is wide — the body learns it.