Bihoro
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Bihoro (美幌) is an insufferably obscure farming town in Okhotsk, Hokkaido, Japan.
Get in
By plane
Bihoro is a 20-minute bus ride away from Memanbetsu Airport (¥340).By train
Bihoro is on the JR Sekihoku Line (石北本線) from Asahikawa to Abashiri.The Okhotsk limited express runs to Bihoro from Sapporo in about 5 hours at a cost of ¥9430.
By road
Bihoro is a major road junction and highways lead from here to Abashiri on the northern coast, to Teshikaga (Akan National Park) and to Asahikawa and Sounkyo Onsen (Daisetsuzan National Park). Buses run along most roads but only very intermittently.See
Bihoro PassThis is Bihoro's sole claim to fame, affording views over Lake Kussharo in the nearby Akan National Park. The pass was also canonized in the eponymous enka (Japanese folk song), which now plays on repeat in the small service area near the pass.
Bihoro Agricultural MuseumWith exhibits like "Modern Agricultural Machines" and "Let's Play With BIBOT", this is best reserved for those really rainy days.
Do
-
phone: +81 152-73-2121address: 40 MiyakobashiThe inevitable hot spring, but a fairly modern and pleasant operation — and yes, that does mean "Pass Hot Water Bihoro".
Buy
Bihoro's speciality is kumazasa-cha (熊笹茶), a type of herbal tea made from the kumazasa (lit. "bear grass") leaf that grows abundantly in this harsh climate. Steeply priced at ¥840 per bag, but worth a try.
Eat
Gurutto Panorama BihoroThe fancy name of the highway service area at Bihoro Pass ... but in addition to the souvenir and fried-everything-on-a-stick vendors downstairs, there's a decent restaurant upstairs which serves kumazasa tea along with your meal.
Sleep
Minshuku Tarō-anA tiny minshuku (capacity 7 people).
Connect
The small tourism office in the train station will be overjoyed at seeing an actual tourist. They can also book accommodation for you.
Go next
- Akan National Park — Just across the Bihoro Pass are a number of nice sights.