Sapporo: Biei Blue Pond & Shirahige Light-Up, Ningle Terrace

Spend a snowy afternoon in Biei, then stay for the night show: Shirahige Falls and the Blue Pond lit up in blue, and the warm lantern glow of Ningle Terrace in Furano.
Itinerary for reference only. Stop order and times may change due to snow, weather and traffic.

This tour is built around one moment: being in Biei when the lights come on.

--- 11:45 AM | Depart from Sapporo Station North Exit ---
Sleep in, grab lunch, then meet the coach at JR Sapporo Station's North Exit. In March the tour leaves at 12:20 PM to follow the later sunset. It's about 3 hours to Biei, and the winter driving is all ours.

--- Biei Snow Park | 70 min ---
First, the fun part. Depending on the date you'll play at Shikisai-no-Oka or Farm's Chiyoda, where summer flower hills turn into open snowfields. Race a snowmobile, slide down on a snow raft (paid on site), or just make the first footprints in the powder.

--- Christmas Tree, Biei | 20 min ---
One lone spruce on a white hill, shaped like it was made for December. It's one of Hokkaido's most photographed winter scenes, shot from the roadside so the snow around it stays untouched.

--- Shirahige Falls | 20 min ---
As the light fades, you reach Shirogane Onsen. Groundwater pours straight out of a cliff and drops about 30 m into a river that stays milky blue all winter. The falls are lit from sunset, so watch the colors deepen from the bridge.

--- Shirogane Blue Pond Light-Up | 30 min ---
In summer this pond is famous for its milky blue water, born after Mt. Tokachi erupted in 1988 and made a Mac wallpaper in 2012. In winter it freezes over and the night takes over: lights wash the snow and bare larch trunks in blue, shifting color every few minutes. Quiet, cold and hard to forget.

--- Ningle Terrace, Furano | 60 min ---
End the night in a fairy-tale forest. About 15 log cabins line snowy boardwalks, each glowing warm and selling handmade candles, woodwork and leather goods. The name comes from the Ningle, tiny forest spirits in a story by Furano screenwriter So Kuramoto.

--- 10:00 PM | Arrive at Sapporo Station ---
Doze off on the way back to Sapporo, arriving around 10:00 PM.

Please note: times are approximate and may change with winter weather and road conditions.

FAQ

Q: Will I see blue water at the Blue Pond?
A: Not in winter. The pond is frozen and snow-covered, so the light-up colors the snow and larch trees instead of the water.

Q: Why does the March tour leave later?
A: The Blue Pond lights come on later in March (around 6:00 PM vs 4:30 PM in December), so we leave at 12:20 PM to arrive in time.

Q: Is snowmobiling included?
A: No. Snow park activities are paid on site and depend on snow. In early December the snow park may not be fully open.

Q: Is dinner included?
A: No. Eat before the 11:45 AM start. At Ningle Terrace there's time for a hot drink or a quick dinner nearby.

Q: How cold does it get?
A: Evenings in Biei often drop below -10°C in January and February. Wear a down jacket, gloves and grippy snow boots.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.