If you’ve ever seen those photos of rainbow-striped flower fields rolling across hills with mountains in the background — the ones that look too colorful to be real — there’s a good chance they were taken at Shikisai no Oka. This flower farm in Biei, about 30 minutes north of Furano, is one of the most photographed spots in all of Hokkaido, and for good reason.
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Nearby Zerubu Hill offers another angle on the same landscape. Together, they make a strong half-day trip from Furano that’s worth building into your itinerary.
Shikisai no Oka (四季彩の丘)
Shikisai no Oka translates to “Hill of Seasonal Colors,” and the name delivers. The farm covers about 15 hectares of gently rolling hills, planted with rows of different flowers in stripes across the landscape. In peak season, you get lavender, lupins, sunflowers, dahlias, salvias, and a dozen other varieties all blooming in parallel lines that curve over the hills toward the Tokachi mountain range.
The effect is striking. Each stripe is a different color — purple, red, orange, yellow, white, pink — and the rolling terrain means the lines rise and fall naturally. On a clear day with the mountains behind it all, you’ll understand why every photographer in Hokkaido ends up here eventually.
Getting Around the Fields
The grounds are big enough that you have a few options for exploring them:
Walking: Free, and honestly the best way to appreciate the place. The paths between flower rows let you get right up close. Budget about 30-40 minutes for a good walk through the main areas.
Norokko (tractor cart): A tractor pulls a string of open-air carts through the fields on a set route. It costs 500 yen for adults and takes about 15 minutes. Good option if you’re short on time or have mobility issues, though you can’t stop along the way.
Buggy rental: You can rent a small buggy to drive yourself through the fields. Around 1,500 yen for one lap. Fun, but you’re focused on driving rather than looking at flowers.
The Alpaca Farm
Shikisai no Oka keeps a small herd of alpacas on-site. You can visit them for 500 yen. They’re friendly, photogenic, and a big hit with kids. The alpaca area is separate from the flower fields, so it’s an optional add-on rather than something you’ll stumble through.
Is it worth the extra 500 yen? If you’ve got kids or you just like alpacas, sure. If you’re mainly here for the flowers, skip it and spend that time in the fields instead.
Best Time to Visit Shikisai no Oka
The flower season runs roughly from late June through early October, with peak bloom in July and August. Here’s a rough breakdown:
Late June – July: Lavender, lupins, poppies, and early summer flowers. This overlaps with Furano’s lavender season, so you can hit both in one trip.
August: Sunflowers, dahlias, and salvias take over. The color palette shifts from purples and pinks to more yellows, oranges, and reds. Still excellent.
September – early October: Late bloomers like dahlias and cosmos. Less variety than midsummer, but also far fewer tourists.
Winter: The flower fields are buried under snow, but Shikisai no Oka stays open and offers snowmobile rides and snow raft experiences. It’s a completely different vibe — white hills instead of colorful ones — but fun if you’re in the area.
Entry and Hours
Cost: Shikisai no Oka operates on a donation basis from June through October, with a suggested donation of 200 yen. Outside flower season, entry is free. The Norokko, buggies, and alpaca farm cost extra as noted above.
Hours: Generally 9:00-17:00, with extended hours (8:30-18:00) in July and August. Winter hours are shorter, roughly 9:00-16:00. Check their website before visiting as times shift seasonally.
Zerubu Hill
About a 5-minute drive from Shikisai no Oka, Zerubu Hill is a smaller flower viewing spot that often gets overlooked. The name comes from combining the Japanese words for the seven types of flowers grown here — though in practice it’s more of a general flower hill than a strictly curated collection.
Zerubu Hill is less manicured than Shikisai no Oka and draws smaller crowds. The views of the surrounding Biei countryside from the hilltop are excellent, and on clear days you can see all the way to the Daisetsuzan mountains. It’s free to visit and worth a quick stop if you’re already in the area.
There’s a small observation deck and a few walking paths. You won’t need more than 20-30 minutes here unless you’re really into photography.
Combining with Blue Pond and Other Biei Spots
Shikisai no Oka and Zerubu Hill are both in the Biei area, and the most logical way to visit is as part of a Biei day trip from Furano. A solid route: drive north from Furano (about 30 minutes), hit Zerubu Hill first, then Shikisai no Oka, and finish with Shirogane Blue Pond on the way back. The Blue Pond is another 20 minutes east and is one of Hokkaido’s most famous natural attractions.
If you’re doing this loop by car, you can comfortably see everything in half a day. Without a car, it gets trickier — buses exist but run infrequently, and the distances between spots make cycling tiring in summer heat. For broader trip planning, the Furano travel guide covers transportation options in detail.
Practical Tips
Arrive early: Tour buses start showing up by mid-morning in peak season. If you’re there by 9:00, you’ll have the fields mostly to yourself for the first hour.
Weather matters: The mountain backdrop disappears on cloudy or hazy days. Check the forecast and aim for a clear morning if possible.
Wear comfortable shoes: The paths are gravel and dirt, and the hills mean you’re walking on inclines. Nothing extreme, but sandals aren’t ideal.
Food: There’s a restaurant and snack stands on-site at Shikisai no Oka. The lavender soft serve and melon soft serve are both good. Prices are typical tourist spot fare — expect 350-500 yen for soft serve, 800-1,200 yen for light meals.
For more things to do around Furano beyond the flower fields, check out the outdoor activities guide for hiking, rafting, and other options across all seasons.