BIEI STORY GUIDE
Let the Landscape Tell Its Story.
A journey where you hear, see, and feel the stories of Biei. A self-guided tour you can enjoy freely with just your smartphone.
For ¥1,000, you get 2 courses, 26 stories, and detailed guides to over 40 spots. Enjoy unlimited access for one week after purchase.
In the landscapes of Biei,
every place has its own story.
BIEI STORY GUIDE is a story-based guide that reveals the “why” hidden in Biei’s landscapes and turns your trip into a deeper experience. These stories are organized into two self-guided courses themed around the “Blue Pond” and the “Hill Town.” Each course combines three main stories with mini-stories, all in short 1–2 minute segments you can easily listen to while on the move.
✓ Self-guided
Explore freely at your own pace
✓ Story-led
Landscapes and history told as stories
✓ Fun facts & discoveries
Learn something new at each stop
✓ Audio + text
Easy to follow by ear and by eye
✓ Offline & no app needed
No signal? No problem.
Perfect for travelers who…
- Want to know the stories behind Biei’s scenery
- Want to understand not only the views but how the land was formed
- Like to prepare before a trip and enjoy it more deeply
- Prefer moving freely at their own pace rather than joining a guided tour
- Want to learn about Biei even if they can’t visit in person
Like listening closely to the landscape—
discoveries that color your journey are waiting.
Course 1
Blue Pond Story Beginning at Mt. Tokachidake
Why did the “Blue Pond” come into being?
Follow a journey through the blessings and threats of Mt. Tokachidake and the miraculous birth of the pond.
3 main stories + 10 mini-stories
- Get to know active volcano Mt. Tokachidake
- The blessings and dangers of Mt. Tokachidake
- The birth of the Blue Pond and its future
* We recommend traveling by your own car or a rental car.
Course 2
How the Hill Town Came to Be
How did Biei’s iconic hill scenery come to be?
Stories that weave together volcanoes, landforms, farming, and everyday life.
3 main stories + 10 mini-stories
- Why is Biei called a “hill town”?
- How were the hills formed?
- The blessings brought by the hills
* Enjoy the course by bicycle, your own car, or a rental car.
Explore More of Biei with the Map
From the town center to the Tokachidake range—
the map introduces over 40 spots across the whole Biei area!
* Includes text and photo descriptions (audio guide not included in the map itself).
Price
¥1,000 (tax included)
Valid for one week after purchase.
Payments are processed via the online payment service Stripe.
How It Works
STEP 1: Open the purchase page
STEP 2: Complete your purchase and payment
STEP 3: Access Biei Story Guide
STEP 4: Enjoy your self-guided tour
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to download an app?
No. You can access and use it directly from your smartphone’s browser.
Can I use it offline?
Yes. As long as you cache the data first while you have an internet connection, you can then use it even in areas with no signal. For detailed instructions, please see this page.
Which smartphones are supported?
It works on both iPhone and Android devices, and supports the main browsers (Safari and Chrome).
What payment methods are available?
You can pay easily by credit card.
How is this different from a guided tour?
Because it’s self-guided, you can sightsee at your own pace. You can check the explanations anytime in both audio and text.
Is it easy to use for people who aren’t good with the internet?
The interface is simple, and if you follow the on-screen instructions you’ll be able to use it right away.