[Ken and Mary Tree in Biei] Large Poplar Tree Caused Buzz among People on Television Commercial of Skyline

Ken and Mary Tree

Ken and Mary Tree (ケンとメリーの木) is a large poplar tree in Biei town located in the southeastern part of Asahikawa city, and is easy to find because it grows tall on gentle hillside. Here was choosen as a shooting place for a television commercial, Episode "Journey without a map" of Nissan Skyline "Ken and Mary" CM broadcasted in 1976, and the tree was named after character's names. Pension Ken and Mary and Cafe "Tree Terrace" are built near the tree. The cafe has a photo spot "Kenmeri Panoramic Park" (ケンメリパノラマパーク). A large public parking lot is provided, too. But a public restroom is not provided. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. Private Fields No Trespassing !

Movie of Skyline "Ken and Merry" CM

The distance is around 2 km away from the center of the Biei, and restraunts, cafes, souvenir shops and convenience stores are built there. Zerubu Hill (ぜるぶの丘) and Hokusei-no-Oka Observatory Park (北西の丘展望台) are relatively near here, and I think tourists can drop by here while they enjoy a tour of Pachwork Road (パッチワークの路). By the way, speaking of the tasty restraunts or shops near Biei Station, Restaurant ASPERGES (レストラン・アスペルジュ), Komugikobo (小麦工房), Yoshoku and Cafe Junpei (洋食とcafeじゅんぺい) and Senkakobo (選果工房) are popular in particular. I ate foods at the Restaurant ASPERGES, the Komugikobo and the Senkakobo, and those were tasty.

Zerubu Hill

Zerubu Hill (ぜるぶの丘) is a tourist flower garden run by Atom-nouki corporation along Furano National Route (National Route 237) in Biei town located in the southeastern part of Asahikawa city. Colorful flowers are planted with Mt. Asahidake (旭岳) or Tokachidake Mountain Range (十勝岳連峰) as a backdrop on gentle hillside, and visitors can enjoy a typical view of Hokkaido. There are flower fields, a grass open space, Atomu Hill (亜斗夢の丘), Zerubu-no-Oka Restaurant (ぜるぶの丘レストラン), Zerubu Cafe (カフェゼルブ), Zerubu-no-Oka Atomu Shop (ぜるぶの丘アトムショップ), a parking lot and restrooms on the site. Ken and Mery Tree (ケンとメリーの木) can be seen from Atomu Hill Observation Deck on the 3rd floor. They have 2 hills, Zerubu Hill and Atomu Hill, But the Atomu Hill is not a hill but a building. A souvenir shop opens on the 1st floor, and a gallery is held on the 2nd floor, and the observation deck is built on the 3rd floor. The Zerura Hill is open from late April to early October. * Only the restaurant is open through the year. A soft serve ice cream is popular. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. Article is here

Hokusei-no-Oka Observatory Park

Hokusei-no-Oka Observatory Park (北西の丘展望公園) features a pyramid-shaped observatory in Biei and is famous for seeing the beautiful setting sun. The observatory provides a 360-degree view such as an extensive mountain ridgeline and Tokachidake Mountain Range. There are a restroom, a parking lot, a stall and a tourist information center in the site, too. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge, too. The parking lot and the observatory deck are used in a winter, too. Article is here

Restaurant ASPERGES

Restaurant ASPERGES (レストラン・アスペルジュ) is a French restaurant in Biei town located in the southern part of Asahikawa city. ASPERGES means asparagus in French language. It opened a business in 2007 and is open as a restaurant of Biei-senka (美瑛選果) run by JA Biei (JA美瑛). Mr. Kazunori Kato (加藤千典) act as a chef and it is popular restraunt that visitors can enjoy charm of vegetables. They garnered one star in MICHELIN GUIDE Hokkaido 2012 Special Edition. Article is here

Bieisenka

Bieisenka (美瑛選果) is a local speciality shop run by JA Biei (JA美瑛) in Biei town located in the southern part of Asahikawa city. There are Senkaichiba (選果市場) that visitors can buy fresh vegetables, Senkakobo (選果工房) that the visitors can enjoy sweets and light meals, Restraunt ASPERGES (レストラン・アスペルジュ) that the vititors can enjoy vegetables of French cuisine and Komugikobo (小麦工房) that the visitors can purchase rusk at Bieisenka (びえいのラスク), and each buildings are stylish. Osamu Suzuki atelier (鈴木理アトリエ) designed the buildings. Article is here