Things to Do in Bihoro (美幌町), Hokkaido: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Bihoro (美幌町) in Hokkaido Prefecture (Hokkaido, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Abashiri Ko (網走湖), Kashiwagaoka Park (柏ヶ丘公園), Minamioka Shinrin Park (南丘森林公園) and served by Bihoro Station (美幌駅) (9.4 km) via the regional hub at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS). Set at 170 m elevation (43.7546°N, 144.1328°E), Bihoro offers travelers a base for sampling regional Sapporo miso ramen, Jingisukan (grilled lamb), Hokkaido soup curry cuisine and exploring neighboring Ōzora (大空町) (13.2 km), Tsubetsu (津別町) (19.4 km), Kitami (北見市) (19.9 km), Koshimizu (小清水町) (26.8 km).

The name is derived from the Ainu word piporo, meaning "place of much water". Largely agricultural, the town is best known for the Bihoro Pass, which has views over Lake Kussharo in the Akan National Park. It is also home to Bihoro Aviation Park, which contains a number of aircraft previously used by the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Situated across rolling inland terrain at 170 m elevation in Hokkaido Prefecture, Bihoro is anchored by local landmarks including Abashiri Ko (網走湖), Kashiwagaoka Park (柏ヶ丘公園), Minamioka Shinrin Park (南丘森林公園) and connects to neighboring Ōzora, Tsubetsu, Kitami via Bihoro Station (美幌駅) (9.4 km). Within Hokkaido Prefecture, Bihoro (美幌町) serves as a town (町) in hokkaido prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Vast national parks (Daisetsuzan, Shiretoko, Akan-Mashu), powder ski resorts (Niseko, Furano), volcanic calderas, port towns (Hakodate, Otaru), and Japan's richest seafood and dairy.

What to See & Do in Bihoro (美幌町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Bihoro (美幌町) from Bihoro Station (美幌駅) (9.4 km) at 170 m elevation (43.7546°N, 144.1328°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Bihoro):

• Abashiri Ko (網走湖) — local sightseeing landmark near Bihoro (美幌町).
• Kashiwagaoka Park (柏ヶ丘公園) — local sightseeing landmark near Bihoro (美幌町).
• Minamioka Shinrin Park (南丘森林公園) — local sightseeing landmark near Bihoro (美幌町).
• Nijūisseikino Mori (２１世紀の森) — local sightseeing landmark near Bihoro (美幌町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Bihoro: Bihoro Station (美幌駅) (9.4 km) (connecting to Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Bihoro

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Bihoro (美幌町) and Bihoro Station (美幌駅) (9.4 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Hokkaido Prefecture and Hokkaido:

• Ōzora (大空町) — 13.2 km from Bihoro (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Tsubetsu (津別町) — 19.4 km from Bihoro (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Kitami (北見市) — 19.9 km from Bihoro (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Koshimizu (小清水町) — 26.8 km from Bihoro (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Abashiri (網走市) — 31.1 km from Bihoro (Hokkaido Prefecture)

Getting to Bihoro & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Bihoro (美幌町) via Bihoro Station (美幌駅) (9.4 km): 1h 30m flight from Tokyo Haneda to New Chitose (CTS), or 4h on the Tohoku–Hokkaido Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto plus limited express train. From Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Bihoro Station (美幌駅) (9.4 km) to reach central Bihoro (43.7546°N, 144.1328°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Bihoro Station (美幌駅) (9.4 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Sapporo with Bihoro (美幌町) and neighboring Ōzora, Tsubetsu, Kitami. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Bihoro, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Day-trippers stopping in Bihoro between Sapporo and Ōzora can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Bihoro: While Bihoro Station (美幌駅) (9.4 km) anchors public transit for Bihoro, picking up a rental car at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS) makes it easy to link Abashiri Ko (網走湖) and Kashiwagaoka Park (柏ヶ丘公園) with nearby Ōzora (大空町) (13.2 km), Tsubetsu (津別町) (19.4 km), Kitami (北見市) (19.9 km), Koshimizu (小清水町) (26.8 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Bihoro (美幌町) & Hokkaido

Dining near Bihoro Station (美幌駅) (9.4 km) and across Bihoro (美幌町) highlights the regional food culture of Hokkaido Prefecture and Hokkaido. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Bihoro:

• Sapporo miso ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Bihoro (美幌町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Jingisukan (grilled lamb) — regional specialty enjoyed across Bihoro (美幌町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Hokkaido soup curry — regional specialty enjoyed across Bihoro (美幌町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Kaisendon (sea urchin, crab & salmon roe bowls) — regional specialty enjoyed across Bihoro (美幌町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Soft-serve dairy & melon — regional specialty enjoyed across Bihoro (美幌町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.

If you are dining in Bihoro (美幌町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Bihoro Station (美幌駅) (9.4 km).

Where to Stay in Bihoro (美幌町)

Visitors staying overnight in Bihoro (美幌町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Bihoro Station (美幌駅) (9.4 km), or base at major rail hubs in Sapporo (Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS)) or neighboring Ōzora, Tsubetsu, Kitami for quick train access into Bihoro. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Bihoro & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Bihoro (美幌町, 170 m elevation at 43.7546°N, 144.1328°E): June–August for lavender fields and cool hiking (22–26°C); December–February for world-famous powder skiing and snow festivals; late September–October for early autumn foliage.

Wider sightseeing across Hokkaido Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Abashiri Ko (網走湖) in Bihoro (美幌町) includes: Vast national parks (Daisetsuzan, Shiretoko, Akan-Mashu), powder ski resorts (Niseko, Furano), volcanic calderas, port towns (Hakodate, Otaru), and Japan's richest seafood and dairy.

Practical Travel Tips for Bihoro (美幌町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Bihoro: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS) or Bihoro Station (美幌駅) (9.4 km) for local bus schedules to Abashiri Ko (網走湖) and walking maps of Bihoro (美幌町).
• Cash & ATMs in Bihoro: Convenience stores and major hotels around Bihoro Station (美幌駅) (9.4 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Abashiri Ko (網走湖) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Bihoro accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Bihoro: Around Bihoro Station (美幌駅) (9.4 km) and neighboring Ōzora, Tsubetsu, Kitami, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.