Biei Shirogane Blue Pond
During the disaster prevention work on Tokachi-dake, the water accumulated in the dam took on an unusually blue hue, creating a fantastic landscape when combined with the standing dead larch trees. Over time, it came to be called the "Blue Pond."
INDEX
Reason for blueness
This is the water of the Biei River and the water that contains sulfur and other hot spring elements such as sulfur contained in the tributaries that merge near Shirogane Onsen and “Shirohige no Taki” waterfalls, as well as aluminum. When these two waters mix, invisible “colloids” are formed. When sunlight collides with colloidal particles in water, light is scattered in various directions. It is said that blue light with shorter wavelengths is more easily scattered and thus reaches our eyes, making it appear blue. Another theory is that the white soil at the bottom of the pond reflects the light, enhancing the blue color. *The official name of the Blue Pond is “Shirogane Blue Pond.Blue Pond in all seasons
＜Blue Pond one day＞
https://www.biei-hokkaido.jp/ja/category/blog/sirogane-bluepond
Access Information
| Access | It is about 20 min. by car or route bus.※When you drive a car, use the map code below. ※You can take route bus (Dohoku Bus) from JR Asahikawa station or JR Biei Station to Blue Pond. Dohoku Bus Map in Biei＆Time schedule.Click HERE Click here for how to go to the bus stop in from JR Biei station. |
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Parking Lot
The Aoi Ike parking lot will begin automatic gate payment on March 21, 2024 (Thursday). In order to reduce congestion at the parking lot exits, we ask for your cooperation in paying in advance using the pre-payment machines. Parking fees are used for environmental improvement and maintenance of the Shirokane area. In addition, the entrance for large vehicles (buses, etc.) with an overall length of 6m or more and the entrance for regular vehicles, etc. with an overall length of less than 6m will be separate, Please use the route shown in the schematic below when visiting the Blue Pond parking lot to help relieve traffic congestion on the surrounding roads.
Parking lot usage hours
May-October
November – April
7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Breakdown of parking fees
The following fees will change from March 21, 2024 (Thursday)。| two wheeled vehicle (bicycle, motorcycle, etc.) | 100 yen |
| Standard cars, compact cars, mini cars | 500 yen |
| Large vehicles (buses, etc.) | 2,000 yen |
The following persons are eligible for exemption
①Citizens of Biei
②Lodging businesses in the town
③In-town groups (including use of out-of-town buses)
④Town sightseeing bus
⑤In-town cab
(architectural) floodlighting
Lighting start time
November
December
January
February
March
April
PM 5：00〜
PM 4：30〜
PM 5：00〜
PM 5：30〜
PM 6：00〜
PM 6：30〜
*Please do not enter any areas other than the designated areas as they are very dangerous. In particular, please do not enter the pond.
Blue Pond Goods
Blue Pond Soft (summer only)
Soft serve ice cream topped with a cute fox cookie. You can choose from three types of milk soft drinks: milk soft drinks made from raw milk produced in Biei, a refreshing ramune flavor, and a mix of flavors.
Blue Pond Pudding (summer only)
The white part below is milk pudding made with Biei milk, and the blue part above is lemon-flavored gelée.＊
Blue Pond Soda
A refreshing blue soda that looks like a blue pond.
The bottle design is very cute and makes a great driving companion or souvenir!♪ Please taste it while thinking of the blue pond!＾＾
Biei Cider
Blue Pond (left), the most popular, is lemon-flavored and slightly carbonated. Wheat Field (center), which is strongly carbonated to resemble a golden wheat field. Sunset Hill (right) is made with haskap produced in Biei. It would be interesting to compare the flavors This is a local limited edition product available only in Biei Town!＊
Blue pond rice cracker
A little surprised at the blue color? Blue rice crackers unique to Aoi Ike. It is a limited edition product of Roadside Station Viei “Shirogane Birke”.＊ How about a souvenir of your visit to Aoi Ike?
Biei Mokeke
Only appear in some areas? This is a local mokeke. So far, the only mokeke with a place name in Hokkaido is in Biei! They are so popular these days that sometimes they are sold out… if you find one, be sure to get it! There is also a giant stuffed Mokeke at Roadside Station Viei “Shirogane Birke”!♪How about taking a commemorative photo together to celebrate your trip?＊