The best view in winter! The fantastic "Blue Pond" and "White Beard Falls" in Biei by "Biyu Bus"!

  • Hokkaido
  • Sightseeing
Aoi Ike (Blue Pond) lit up in winter. Photo by Biei-cho Tourist Association

Biei's spectacular scenery that can only be seen in winter

Furano and Biei area in Hokkaido has many spectacular sights that can only be seen in winter. You can enjoy the fantastic atmosphere of "Aoi Ike" and "Shirohige Falls" illuminated by the white world with snow on the ground, which is different from the atmosphere during the daytime.
Why don't you take the "Biyu Bus," a regular sightseeing bus that tours around Biei, and enjoy the unique winter scenery of Biei?

Biei "Winter Light-up Course" tour in Biei by Biyu Bus

The "Biyu Bus" takes you to the most popular spots in Biei and leaves from the "Shiki no Johokan" (Information Center of the Four Seasons), which is only a minute walk from Biei Station, making it very convenient.
The first stop is Biei-Senka (selected fruits)! Here, you will find a variety of delicious foods recommended in Biei. The "Selected Fruits Market" is a direct sales place where you can experience the deliciousness of Biei's rice, vegetables, and stylish Biei brand processed agricultural products.
Biyu Bus "Winter Light-up Course": The bus departs at 16:15 from November to January and at 16:35 in February, and the course takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes.

*Fare and ticket purchase information is available at the link below.
Starting from the Shiki no Joho Kan (Information Center for the Four Seasons), you will visit the Aoi Ike (Blue Pond)!
（Biei-cho Tourist Association For more information about "Biyu Bus", please visit

Light-up is available only in winter! Fantastic blue pond

You will arrive at "Shirogane Aoi Ike." In winter, the surface of the water gradually freezes. The blue surface of the water can be seen when it is not completely frozen. the winter-only illumination, which takes place from November to April, uses various patterns to create a single story in about 10 minutes.
Blue Pond gradually freezing over
When snow begins to fall, the larch trees turn white and the surface of the water falls on the frozen winter "blue pond. The contrast between the stars in the night sky, the whiteness of the snow, the illuminated blue pond, and the black shadows and whites of the larch trees is more clearly visible, making this a unique winter attraction.
Snow piles up on the frozen pond, creating a world of black and white!

The beauty of light and nature! Shirohige Falls in winter

The cobalt blue Biei River splashes as underground water from between the rocks flows down with great force from a height of 30 meters. The powerful appearance of the waterfall looks like a "white beard," hence the name.
In winter, the contrast between the white of the snow and the white of the falls and the rock surface can be seen more clearly. The spray and steam from the falls create fog and ice on the trees, which are illuminated, making the view even more mysterious. It is one of the beautiful sceneries created by the nature of Biei in the stillness of winter.

The bus will return to the "Four Seasons Information Center," arriving at 18:30 from November to January and at 18:55 in February.
After enjoying the beauty of Biei, we recommend you to heal yourself at Shirogane Onsen (hot spring)!
Shirohige-no-taki Waterfall, which is illuminated throughout the year. Photo courtesy of Biei-cho Tourist Association

Show your Furano-Biei Free Ticket and receive a Biei-cho original pin badge!

The "Furano/Biei Free Ticket" sold by JR Hokkaido can be used from December 15, 2024 (Sun.) to March 16, 2025 (Sun.) [until the ticket is used on March 13, 2025 (Thu.)]. When you present the "Furano Biei Free Ticket" when you board the Biei Bus, both adults and children will receive one of the "Biei-cho Original Pin Badges" as a present! This cute badge features illustrations of five popular spots in Biei. You will not know which illustration you will get until you receive it!

This winter, why don't you visit the most beautiful spots in Biei and admire the beauty created by light and nature?
Photo: Biei-cho Tourist Association
【Biei-cho Tourist Association】For the official website
For more information about "Furano and Biei by JR" on JR Hokkaido's official website, please visit

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Convenient for travel within Hokkaido!

The " JR East View Dynamic Rail Package " is a variable-price individual travel product available only on the web, which allows you to choose your train and accommodation at your leisure and make a reservation at once. Depending on the timing and conditions of your reservation, you may be able to get a discount as early as the day of departure!

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For train + accommodation reservations in Furano and Biei area, please visit [ JR East View Dynamic Rail Package ]
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