Popular Sightseeing Tours in Blue Pond

If you are planning a sightseeing tour to the Blue Pond, 'Shirahige Onsen' located near the Blue Pond is highly recommended for accommodation. It not only offers a convenient location, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Blue Pond more leisurely by avoiding crowds in the morning or evening, but also provides rich hot spring facilities for relaxation. The Shirahige Onsen area offers various accommodation options, from traditional Japanese inns to modern hotels, most of which have hot spring baths. Some inns also provide shuttle services to the Blue Pond or Shirahige Falls, making your trip more comfortable and convenient.

Visiting the Blue Pond with children is generally suitable, but there are a few points to consider in your itinerary planning. The paths around the Blue Pond are flat, suitable for strollers or for children to walk, but some sections may have gravel. It is recommended to prepare sufficient sun protection and insect repellent, and considering Hokkaido's rapidly changing weather, bring warm clothing and rain gear. The typical stay at the Blue Pond is about 30 minutes to 1 hour. You can combine it with nearby attractions like Shirahige Falls to avoid keeping children bored with a single spot for too long. Additionally, ensure you stay hydrated and monitor children's safety, preventing them from getting too close to the water.

Since the Blue Pond is located in Biei, it is generally recommended to combine your Blue Pond one-day trip with attractions in Biei. Biei is famous for its 'Patchwork Road' and 'Panorama Road,' boasting rolling hills, vast pastoral landscapes, and numerous iconic trees such as Ken & Mary Tree, Prof. Tree, and Red Tree. These natural landscapes complement the serene atmosphere of the Blue Pond, creating a more thematically strong photography and sightseeing route. In contrast, Furano is known for its lavender fields, flower seas, and cheese factories. If your focus is on flower viewing, Furano can be considered. If you want to deeply experience Biei's unique rural scenery, it is advisable to focus on the Biei area.

The Blue Pond has its unique charm in different seasons, but summer (June to August) and autumn (September to October) are generally considered the best times to visit. In summer, the pond water is a clear cobalt blue, which is particularly stunning when paired with the lush green forests. In autumn, you can enjoy the striking contrast between the red and yellow autumn leaves and the blue water. In winter, the Blue Pond offers a unique nighttime illumination event, creating a dreamy icy blue world. For the best time of day, it is recommended to visit on a clear morning when there is ample sunlight and fewer crowds, allowing you to better capture the clear blue color of the pond and its reflections, showcasing its unique charm.

There are several main transportation options from Sapporo to the Blue Pond: You can take the JR Limited Express train to Asahikawa, which takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. After arriving in Asahikawa, you can transfer to a Dohoku Bus to Biei Station, and then take the Biei Bus or a taxi from Biei Station to the Blue Pond. Another common and flexible option is to rent a car. Driving from Sapporo city to the Blue Pond takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, with beautiful scenery along the way, and allows you to freely arrange visits to other attractions in the Biei and Furano areas. Additionally, many local sightseeing bus tours depart from Sapporo, which can save you the hassle of transfers.

For first-time visitors to the Blue Pond, a day trip centered around Biei Town is recommended. A typical route could be: Biei Station → Blue Pond → Shirahige Falls → Shirahige Onsen (where you can enjoy a foot bath or have a meal). The time spent at the Blue Pond itself is usually 30 minutes to 1 hour. Important notes include: there are not many shops around the Blue Pond, so it's advisable to prepare water in advance; the pathways are well-maintained, but comfortable walking shoes are still recommended; roads may be slippery with snow in winter, so be sure to stay warm and protected. If you have ample time, consider a self-drive tour of Biei's 'Patchwork Road' or 'Panorama Road' to enjoy the vast rural landscapes.

In addition to the Blue Pond, Biei Town offers many other worthwhile tourist attractions. You can follow 'Patchwork Road' to admire the colorful pastoral landscapes and unique trees such as the 'Ken & Mary Tree,' 'Prof. Tree,' and 'Red Tree.' Another route is 'Panorama Road,' where you can overlook the Tokachi Dake mountain range and visit Shikisai-no-Oka, enjoying vast flower fields in different seasons. Furthermore, there is 'Shirahige Falls,' which shares the same water source as the Blue Pond. Its groundwater emerges from rock crevices, creating a peculiar landscape resembling a white beard. These attractions are very suitable for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers.

When planning a one-day trip to the Blue Pond, the main expenses to consider include transportation, meals, and potential costs for souvenirs or additional experiences. For transportation, if departing from Sapporo or Asahikawa, it will include JR train tickets, local bus fares, or taxi fares. If you choose to drive yourself, you'll need to factor in car rental fees, fuel costs, and tolls. For dining, Biei has some specialty restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy local cuisine. The Blue Pond itself has no entrance fee, but if there are other attractions or activities in the vicinity that require payment, they should be taken into account. These are the categories of expenses to estimate in advance when planning your trip.

While dining options directly around the Blue Pond are limited, the town of Biei and the Shirahige Onsen area offer good specialty foods. Biei is known for its local produce, and you can enjoy dishes like curry rice, udon noodles, or desserts made with fresh ingredients. Many cafes also offer light meals and drinks, allowing you to enjoy a leisurely time alongside your sightseeing. The accommodations in the Shirahige Onsen area usually have attached restaurants that serve exquisite Japanese cuisine or buffets, making them a great choice for experiencing Hokkaido's local ingredients. It is recommended to dine in Biei town or the Shirahige Onsen area before or after visiting the Blue Pond.

The Blue Pond's winter illumination event typically starts from early November each year and lasts until mid-March of the following year. During this period, the Blue Pond is illuminated at night, presenting a dreamy blue world that is distinctly different from its daytime appearance, complementing the snow-covered and frozen trees. When visiting, special attention should be paid to staying warm. Due to extremely low temperatures in Hokkaido during winter, it is advisable to wear a thick coat, scarf, gloves, and non-slip snow boots. Since it gets dark early in winter, roads may be covered with snow or ice, requiring extra caution when driving or walking. If you are traveling from Biei Station, special bus services are available in winter.