If you go sightseeing in Asahikawa and Biei, try to experience the culture!
If you are visiting Asahikawa or Biei, why don’t you try a cultural experience?
When talking about Asahikawa, there are many opportunities to enjoy nature such as Asahiyama Zoo and Asahikawa Ramen Tour.
Also, when talking about Biei, there are many opportunities to enjoy nature such as Aoi Ike and Shikisaino-Oka, but it may not be easy to experience the culture rooted in Asahikawa and Biei on your trip.
The average length of a trip is about three days for most people, so it is unlikely that you will be able to sit back and relax and experience the culture.
However, the best part of traveling is to have an extraordinary experience!
Here in Hokkaido, cultural experiences that can only be experienced in Asahikawa and Biei, and that are rooted in the local culture, are sure to leave a lasting impression.
We recommend this tour for those who want to enjoy the main route, but also want to experience something different from the others.
What you need to know about Asahikawa and Biei before your cultural experience
Before we start our cultural experience, let’s learn a little bit about Asahikawa and Biei.
Asahikawa, located in the central part of Hokkaido, has a basin inland climate with hot summers and cold winters.
In fact, Asahikawa is also the coldest place in Japan, with the lowest temperature ever recorded being an unimaginably cold -41.0 degrees Celsius!
There is a huge difference in temperature within a day, so depending on the time of year you travel, you may need to be careful about what you wear.
Asahikawa is the second largest city in Hokkaido after Sapporo, and it flourishes as a tourist base for visitors to Biei and Furano.
Like Asahikawa, Biei has an inland climate, so there is a sharp difference in temperature, but the change of spring, summer, autumn, and winter is clear, making it a place where you can fully enjoy the changing of the seasons.
Originally, the topography was created by the eruption of Tokachi-dake (Mt. Tokachi), and it is a town of hills carved out of dense mountain forests by pioneers.
Paddy fields and fields were cultivated on the hills, and the prototype for the hills of Biei, which change their expression with the seasons, was created.
With hills of golden wheat and hills of colorful flowers, the hills of Biei have a beauty that fascinates all who see them.
Many people visit Biei together with Furano, and it is a beautiful town with nature typical of Hokkaido.
What kind of cultural experiences can you have in such a town? Let’s take a look.
Making and Tasting Famous Confections: Cultural Experiences in Asahikawa and Biei
If you want to experience the culture of Asahikawa and Biei easily, how about making Asahikawa’s famous confectionary, Kibana?
You can actually make “Kibana”, a confectionary that has been loved in Asahikawa for many years and is well known in Hokkaido.
The name “Kibana” comes from the beautiful diamond dust that can only be seen in a few areas of Japan such as Hokkaido.
The crunchy, savory taste of almond galette sandwiched between the rich taste of white chocolate is sure to captivate anyone who eats it.
The usual size of a Kibana is 7cm in diameter, but during the Kibana making experience, you will make a 14cm Kibana, which can only be made there.
Even adults are fascinated by making Kibana, and children over 5 years old can participate, so it is sure to be a hit with children who are bored with all the scenery.
As Asahikawa’s food culture, you will love Asahikawa even more if you try Kibana.
It is only a 10 minute drive from Asahikawa Station, so it is very accessible.
Please try making kibana while you are sightseeing, and feel the food culture of Asahikawa closer to you.
Cultural Experience of Asahikawa and Biei: Making “Tenugurumi”
The cultural experience of Asahikawa and Biei is not over yet.
At “Cafe Suzuran”, the oldest coffee shop in Biei, you can try making “Tenugurumi” from a single piece of Japanese hand towel.
Tenugurumi is made from a piece of Japanese hand towel, which has been loved since ancient times, and made into a three-dimensional piece without cutting or sewing.
In this workshop, we will be making vegetables and fruits such as pumpkins, apples, and tomatoes, which are mysterious tenugurumi that do not require cutting or sewing.
Making tenugurumi is very easy!
The experience itself is quick and easy, but afterwards, you can relax and calm down with a cup of Cafe Suzuran’s signature drink.
It may be no exaggeration to say that this is the only place in Hokkaido where you can experience culture as if you were visiting a café in between trips.
This is a rare opportunity to try your hand at making something unique, and we hope you enjoy it.
What you need for cultural experience in Asahikawa and Biei
For Asahikawa/Biei’s cultural experience, there are no special tools for tourists to bring.
You can come to the tour empty-handed and experience the activities right away.
This is also a great place for families with children, as there is no danger involved.
Please try it out to make a memory of your visit to Asahikawa and Biei!
