Key takeaways
- Walk only on designated routes through flower fields and farms. Straying into crop rows damages working land and crops.
- Drones are not permitted over Biei or Shirogane Blue Pond. These are operating farms and protected natural areas.
- Pets cannot travel on the coach or visit farms. This protects livestock, crops, and other guests on your tour.
- Do not feed or touch the alpacas or other farm animals. Hand feeding can stress animals and spread illness.
- Tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted at Blue Pond boardwalk areas. They obstruct other visitors and damage the walkway.
Walking Between Crop Rows
The fields you'll visit on this tour are active working farms, not botanical gardens. Farmers plant crops in rows with specific spacing for cultivation equipment, irrigation systems, and harvest operations. Walking between rows compacts the soil, damages emerging plants, and disrupts the careful arrangement that makes each field productive. When you arrive at Farm Tomita, Patchwork Road, and Shikisai no Oka, stay on designated pathways and viewing areas. These routes are designed to give you excellent views and photography angles while keeping the growing plants safe. Your tour guide will point out where you can walk safely and where the farm needs to remain undisturbed.
Straying from marked paths creates two problems for farmers. First, each footstep reduces yields by damaging plants that took months to cultivate. Second, repeated trampling creates permanent bare patches that affect next season's planting. Before entering any field section, look for rope barriers, signs, or guide directions. If you're uncertain whether an area is open to visitors, ask your guide or a farm staff member. The farmers welcome photography and appreciation, but only from the spaces they've set aside for guests.
Drone Regulations Over Biei and Blue Pond
Drone flights are restricted over the Biei area and Shirogane Blue Pond. These restrictions exist for several reasons: privacy protection for the working farmland below, safety concerns in areas where multiple visitors gather, and respect for the natural landscape that draws people from around the world. Japan has national airspace regulations, and the Biei and Blue Pond regions have additional local guidelines. Flying a drone without proper permits is illegal and can result in significant fines. If you're interested in aerial photography, do not attempt to operate a drone during your tour.
The scenic views you'll capture from ground level at these locations are remarkable. Professional photographs taken from approved vantage points showcase the landscape far better than drone footage can, and you'll see these images throughout tour materials and travel guides. Enjoy the experience with your camera, smartphone, or simply your eyes. The farmers and local authorities take airspace violations seriously, and enforcement is active during peak tourism seasons.
Where the farm ends, photography begins: respect posted boundaries
Pets on the Coach and at Farm Stops
Pets are not permitted on the tour bus or at the farm locations included in this itinerary. The coach carries many passengers throughout the day, and animals can cause discomfort or allergic reactions for other guests. Farm environments present additional challenges: loose animals may stress livestock, disturb working dogs used by farmers, or wander into machinery areas. If you're traveling with a pet, arrange alternative care for the day of your tour. Local pet-sitting services and some hotels in Sapporo offer day-care options for visitors.
This policy protects both your pet and the experience for all guests. Farms operate with working animals, equipment in motion, and open spaces where a pet could easily become lost or injured. The farms on your route also maintain strict biosecurity measures to prevent disease transmission between properties. By leaving your pet in safe hands elsewhere, you'll be able to focus fully on the landscapes, photography, and the unique character of each location.
Feeding and Touching Farm Animals
Some farm locations feature alpacas and other animals. Do not feed or touch these animals without direct permission from a farm staff member. Alpacas have specific dietary needs, and human food can cause digestive problems. Animals that receive unexpected food from visitors may become aggressive or unpredictable, creating safety risks for you and stress for the animal. Farm staff sometimes allow supervised interaction with animals; your guide will inform you if this is possible at any stop. Wait for explicit instruction before approaching or attempting physical contact.
Alpacas and other farm animals are individuals with distinct personalities and comfort levels. What seems like a friendly gesture to you may feel threatening to them. Sudden approaches, loud noises, or attempts to pet an animal can trigger defensive behaviors. If farm staff invite you to interact with animals, they'll explain the correct approach and what the animal enjoys. Photography of animals is permitted from a respectful distance. Treat all farm animals as working partners of the farmers, deserving of the same boundaries and courtesy you'd expect for yourself.
Tripods and Selfie Sticks at Blue Pond
Tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted on the Shirogane Blue Pond boardwalk. The boardwalk accommodates hundreds of visitors daily, especially during peak seasons. Large equipment creates safety hazards by blocking pathways, creating tripping risks, and taking up space needed for other guests to move safely. The wooden boardwalk itself is narrow in sections, and extended equipment can damage railings or disturb the viewing experience for people around you. Handheld cameras and smartphones are welcome, and the boardwalk's design offers excellent photo positions from every angle.
The pond's striking blue color creates incredible photographic opportunities without needing equipment that extends beyond your body. Professional photographers and casual visitors alike capture stunning images using standard handheld techniques. If you're planning to spend significant time composing shots, use natural resting points along the boardwalk, or frame photos while standing still for brief moments. The pond remains most beautiful when all visitors can move freely and enjoy the view together.
Private Land and Warning Signs
Farms post warning signs and barriers to protect their operations and your safety. These signs aren't decorative; they mark genuine boundaries between public viewing areas and active work zones. Machinery operates regularly, fertilizers and treatments are applied according to schedules, and ground conditions can shift with weather and seasonal work. When you see a sign, a rope, or any barrier, recognize it as a farmer's way of saying this area is off limits. Ignoring these markers puts you at risk and demonstrates disrespect for private property and the farmer's livelihood.
The land you're visiting belongs to families and businesses who have invested years in building these farms. They welcome tours because they're proud of their work and want to share their landscape. That generosity comes with responsibility. Respecting boundaries ensures farms can continue operating safely and remain open to future visitors. If you're unclear about whether an area is accessible, ask your guide. They know every farm's layout and can direct you to the best spots for your experience while keeping you safely within the farmers' intended guest areas.
Smoking and Eating in the Fields
Smoking is not permitted in the flower fields or crop areas. Cigarette ash and discarded butts contaminate the soil and plants. Dry plant material in fields creates serious fire hazards, especially during warm seasons. A single spark can damage years of cultivation work and threaten surrounding properties. The farms you'll visit are working landscapes where safety protocols matter. Designated smoking areas may exist near parking zones or the local restaurant included in your tour; ask your guide if you need to locate one.
Eating directly in the fields is also restricted. Food debris attracts insects and animals that damage crops, and dropped items contaminate soil. The tour includes lunch at a local restaurant where you can enjoy a meal in proper facilities. Snacks and water are best consumed in designated rest areas or back on the coach between stops. If you need to eat during field time due to dietary requirements or medical reasons, inform your guide in advance so they can help you find an appropriate location. Farmers provide these viewing opportunities because they care about their land; reciprocate by following the care guidelines they've established.
