10 Things to Do in Bifuka

10 Things to Do in Bifuka, Hokkaido
10 Things to Do in Bifuka

Bifuka (美深町) is a town in the Kamikawa Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan. Bifuka was originally called Shimonayoro Village, but it changed to its current name on June 1, 1920, when Chiebun Village was separated from it.

The current name was originally taken from the place name “Piwka'', which refers to the gravel riverbed of the Teshio River near present-day Bifuka Station, and is derived from the Ainu word “piwka'' (stoney place).


For those planning to visit the town of Bifuka to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Bifuka:


Bifuka colored manhole cover
Bifuka colored manhole covers

1. Take a picture of the manhole cover of Bifuka. So far, I have seen 2 unique manhole covers. These can be seen in the town along Route 40.


Bifuka Shrine (美深神社)
Bifuka Shrine

2. Visit the Bifuka Shrine (美深神社). It’s the main shrine of the town of Bifuka. You can pay your respects and offer prayers here any time of the day. Don’t forget to avail of the shrine’s goshuin if you collect them.

Bifuka Caviar
Bifuka caviar

3. Buy the Bifuka caviar. It’s one of the town’s rare special products. You can buy some at the roadside station but heads up, it’s quite a popular product so there would be times that it is out of stock.


Bifuka Roadside Station (道の駅 びふか)
Bifuka Roadside Station

4. Visit Bifuka Roadside Station (道の駅 びふか). You should try the korokke and the sheep milk. You can also buy produce and souvenirs harvested or made in Bifuka. The special product of Bifuka, which is the caviar, is also sold here. If you collect roadside station stamps then this place is a must-visit.


Bifuka Onsen (森林公園 びふか温泉)
Bifuka Onsen

5. Take a refreshing dip at Bifuka Onsen (森林公園 びふか温泉). You may choose to avail of the day trip onsen (450 yen per adult) or stay overnight for a longer bathing experience.


Forest Park Bifuka Island (森林公園びふかアイランド)
Forest Park Bifuka Island

6. Pitch a tent and stay overnight at Forest Park Bifuka Island (森林公園びふかアイランド). It is near the Bifuka Roadside Station so there are extra parking spaces available. If you are coming in by car, there is a free parking area near the campsite. There is also an onsen nearby.


Bifuka Station (美深駅)
Bifuka Station

7. Check out the Bifuka Station (美深駅). This beautiful station doubles as a museum. It houses the museum of the Former JNR Miyuki Line.


Bifuka Ski Area (美深スキー場)
Bifuka Ski Area

8. Ski at Bifuka Ski Area (美深スキー場). This ski resort is sometimes used for competitions but there is also an area for beginners.


Bifuka Sturgeon Museum (美深チョウザメ館)
Bifuka Sturgeon Museum

9. Visit the Bifuka Sturgeon Museum (美深チョウザメ館) to learn more about this unique-looking fish. This is the only museum/aquarium in Japan dedicated solely to the breeding and information dissemination about sturgeon fishes. You can get feeds at the gatchapon machine for only 100 yen. What’s nice about this place is that the entrance is free and it is near the campsite and onsen of Bifuka.


Bifuka Matsuyama Wetlands (松山湿原)
Bifuka Matsuyama Wetlands

10. Head out on a lengthy stroll until you reach the Bifuka Matsuyama Wetlands (松山湿原). From the jump-off point, you need to go through a forested area until you reach the vast open marshlands. There is an elevated walkway to let you explore the place. Make sure to bring a bear bell as there are bear sightings in the area.


I hope my list of the 10 Things to Do in Bifuka gave you an idea and inspiration to visit this beautiful town in the north-central part of Hokkaido.

#Bifuka
#BifukaHokkaido

Read more:

Japan Diaries 4: Summary
Location: Bifuka, Nakagawa District, Hokkaido, Japan

Comments

Post a Comment

Book your hotel thru KLOOK

Klook.com
Subscribe and get updated with the latest travel articles of The Backpack Adventures

Popular posts from this blog

A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps

Image
Japan is undeniably a collector's paradise. As a matter of fact, there are a plethora of different things to collect here that are catered to every collector's unique taste and preference.  Anime fans have their usual toys, mangas, and memorabilia. Pokemon fans have numerous Pokemon Centers that sell an assortment of Pokemon merchandise. Kitkat collectors have more than 300 flavors of Kitkat to try out. Pilgrims have the temple stamps called goshuin which I wrote about last time. These are but some of the numerous possible things to collect in Japan . A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps However, since I'm promoting budget travel, my article today talks about something that you can collect for FREE . Yup, you read that right. All you need to have is a clean notebook or tickler and an ever-watchful eye. A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps Eki stamps , also called train station stamps, are rubber ink stamps that are typically found in most train stations in Japan. These stamps f
Keep reading

Ashibetsu Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Image
Ashibetsu Roadside Station ( 道の駅 スタープラザ芦別 ) is one of the 128 roadside stations of Hokkaido Prefecture. It is located along Route 38 and 452 in Kita 4-jo Higashi 1-1-1 in Ashibetsu City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Ashibetsu Roadside Station Ashibetsu Roadside Station details Ashibetsu Roadside Station is formally called Roadside Station "Star Plaza Ashibetsu" . It was one of the first roadside stations in Hokkaido. It was registered on April 22, 1993, and was given Registration Number 2. This station serves as a tourist information center and a hub for travelers to explore what the town has to offer. Ashibetsu Roadside Station - Ashibetsu City, Hokkaido Prefecture The Tourist Information Center inside Ashibetsu Roadside Station is a must-visit spot for travelers. Here, they will find information about the town's famous products sold on the first floor. From the Yokoichi cheese, butter, and Ashibetsu melon, to the lily root, and zenzai, visitors can purchase a variety
Keep reading

Utashinai Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Image
Utashinai Roadside Station , formally called Roadside Station Utashinai Tyrol ( 道の駅 うたしないチロルの湯 ) is one of the 128 roadside stations spread around Hokkaido. It is located at 72-2 Nakamura, Utashinai City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Utashinai Roadside Station Utashinai Roadside Station details Discover Hokkaido’s charm by stopping over at Utashinai Roadside Station , located along Route 114. This station is the perfect base for exploring Central, Northern, and Eastern Hokkaido, and houses a variety of tourism resources and facilities. Utashinai Roadside Station - Utashinai City, Hokkaido Prefecture One of the standout features of  Utashinai Roadside Station  is its accessibility for travelers with disabilities. Equipped with a covered parking lot that can be used even when it snows in winter, and a road-heating pavement, visitors can enjoy the station’s facilities with peace of mind. The Utashinai Roadside Station signage also shows the day's temperature The map of Utashinai
Keep reading

Akabira Tokugawa Castle - Hokkaido

Image
Akabira Tokugawa Castle ( 赤平徳川城 ) is a replica castle located along National Route 38 at 174 Horookacho, Akabira City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Akabira Tokugawa Castle Akabira Tokugawa Castle details Akabira Tokugawa Castle may not be a real historical site, but its story is just as fascinating. Built in 1991 by Matsuzawa Yoroi Co., Ltd, a manufacturer of festival dolls, Akabira Tokugawa Castle has served as a showroom and manufacturing factory. It boasts four floors of unique and interesting attractions, including a souvenir and doll-making demonstration area on the first floor, an impressive doll display and sales area on the second and third floors, a Hina doll display and Japanese restaurant on the fourth floor, and an armored helmet exhibit on the fifth floor. The castle also has a sixth floor, which once served as an observatory tower. Akabira Tokugawa Castle - Akabira City, Hokkaido Prefecture Although the castle is currently closed to the public, it remains a symbol of
Keep reading

National Shrine of St. Padre Pio - Batangas

Image
Located in Barangay San Pedro in Sto. Tomas in the province of Batangas, the National Shrine of St. Padre Pio is a pilgrimage site dedicated and inspired by Saint Padre Pio. National Shrine of St. Padre Pio National Shrine of St. Padre Pio History The shrine initially started out as a bamboo and nipa chapel back in 2003. Then on November 7, 2005, a 1.6-hectare agricultural land was donated to the Archdiocese of Lipa by a generous couple. A year later, another generous individual donated 200 square meters of land to provide the right of way to the site. This land would be the site of the new chapel and later on the Shrine of St. Padre Pio . The salakot like roof as seen from the bell tower Devotees hanging handkerchiefs dipped in the Well of Hope or Bukal ng Pag-asa  St. Padre Pio welcomes the pilgrims to the shrine Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry - National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio St. Padre Pio belltower St. Padre Pio painting A relic inside the Reli
Keep reading

10 Things to Do in Utashinai City

Image
10 Things to Do in Utashinai City Utashinai ( 歌志内市 ) is a city in the Sorachi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan . It is the smallest city in the country in terms of population. The city got its name when the railway was established in the region. It derived its name from the sound of the river coursing through the vicinity, referred to as " Otashinai ". For those planning to visit the town of Utashinai to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Utashinai City : Utashinai manhole covers 1. Take a picture of the  manhole covers of Utashinai . So far, I have seen 2 unique manhole covers. The first one is common around town. The colored manhole cover can be found along Route 691. Utashinai Pokemon manhole cover 2. Check out the newly installed Utashinai Pokemon manhole cover at Utashinai Roadside Station. It features both Vulpix and its Alolan counterpart together with Joltik. Former Sorachi Coal Mine Club (旧空知炭鉱倶楽部) 3. Visit the  Former Sorachi Coal Mine Clu
Keep reading

10 Things to Do in Ashibetsu City

Image
10 Things to Do in Ashibetsu City Ashibetsu ( 芦別市 ) is a city in the Sorachi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan . It is theorized that the city got its name from the Ainu word “ as pet , " meaning “ the river that flows in a shrub ”. Aside from that, other historians also believed that it came from the Ainu word “ hasi pet ” which means “ the standing river ”. In both theories, the name refers to the Ashibetsu River, which flows through the city. For those planning to visit the city of Ashibetsu to check what it has to offer, here are the  10 Things to Do in Ashibetsu : Ashibetsu City manhole covers 1. Take a picture of the  manhole covers of Ashibetsu . So far, I have seen four unique manhole covers which are common in the central part of the city. There are colored versions of these which are installed along Route 452. There is also a special Anne of Canadian World manhole cover found only in the Canadian World Park. Hokkaido Dai Kannon 2. Take a photo of the  Hokkaido Dai Kannon
Keep reading

10 Things to Do in Sapporo City

Image
10 Things to Do in Sapporo City Sapporo City ( 札幌市 ) is the capital and also the largest city of Hokkaido Prefecture. It ranks as the fifth most populous city in Japan . Its name came from the Ainu word Satporopet which means 'Dry, Great River'. For those planning to visit Sapporo City to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Sapporo City : Sapporo manhole cover 1. Take a picture of Sapporo’s unique manhole covers . So far, I have seen 2 different manhole designs. The colored manhole cover can be found on the Sapporo Clock Tower grounds. Sapporo Station 2. Explore  Sapporo Station  and enjoy the plethora of stores and restaurants in it. Odori Park 3. Visit and spend half the day exploring  Odori Park  from end to end. The park hosts numerous festivals like the Sapporo Lilac Festival, Sapporo Snow Festival, and Sapporo Summer Festival to name a few. Sapporo TV Tower 4. Head up to  Sapporo TV Tower  and enjoy the view of the city, particularly Odori Park. D
Keep reading

Imus City Plaza - Cavite

Image
Located in the center of the Poblacion or town proper of Imus City in the province of Cavite, Imus City Plaza is one of the city's scenic and historical attractions. Imus City Plaza Imus City Plaza Details This plaza is located in front of the equally historical Imus Cathedral and Imus City Hall . Imus City Plaza is also the first place to greet you if you're heading to the cathedral via Sapinoso Street.  Imus City Plaza - Imus City, Cavite General Licerio Topacio The general guarding the flag Checking out each angle of the monument Imus City Plaza History Imus City Plaza is probably easily remembered because of the monument with two vintage artillery flanking it. The monument stands as an honor to the children of Imus who joined the fight for the independence of the country against Spain. As for the man standing on top of the monument, he is General Licerio Topacio . He is one of the most notable sons of Imus. He is famously known for honorably declining
Keep reading

Yuni Garden - Hokkaido

Image
Yuni Garden ( ゆにガーデン ) is a beautiful British-style garden popularly known for its kochia plants. It is located at 134-2 Fushimi in the town of Yuni in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Yuni Garden Yuni Garden Details Boasting vibrant seasonal displays of flowers and herbs, this picturesque garden also offers a magnificent chapel as a popular wedding venue. However, the true gem of Yuni Garden lies in its renowned Kochia Hill which features a staggering 32,000 kochia plants, making it the largest park of its kind in Hokkaido. Yuni Garden - Yuni town, Hokkaido Prefecture For those who are not familiar with kochia plants. It is known as summer cypress, the kochia plant is an exotic roundish beauty belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. Throughout their growth cycle, these plants transform from vibrant green in summer to a captivating greenish-red, culminating in a brilliant scarlet hue by October. The unique round shape and fluffy texture of the kochia bushes make them a sight to behold.
Keep reading