Biei Blue Pond from Asahikawa Station: A Quiet Day by Local Train and Bus

This guide covers the way to the Blue Pond, the pond through the seasons, the hours that shape the day, the hills nearby and the practical details for a day out.

At the Blue Pond, fallen leaves float on the deep blue water surface alongside trees that are beginning to change color. The sections below follow the route, the seasons, the hours and the hills nearby.

Getting to the Blue Pond

From JR Biei Station, the Blue Pond is reached either by car or by Dohoku Bus. Passengers board the bus through the rear door and take a numbered ticket as they get on.

The table below sets out the local train from Asahikawa Station, the bus and car rides from Biei Station to the Blue Pond, and other ways into Biei.

From	Route or operator	Time
Asahikawa Station to Biei Station	Local train	About 32 minutes
Biei Station to the Blue Pond	Dohoku Bus	About 20 minutes
Biei Station to the Blue Pond	By car	About 20 minutes
Asahikawa to Biei	By car on Route 237	About 40 minutes
Furano Station to Biei Station	Local train	About 36 minutes
Asahikawa Airport to Biei Station	Furano Bus	About 16 minutes

The Pond Through the Seasons

In winter, snow covers the pond and the blue water surface cannot be seen. The snow-covered white Blue Pond is lit up at night with lights in various patterns and colors. After snowmelt in spring and after heavy rain, the water may look cloudy or may not look blue. In summer, the Blue River of the Biei River looks somewhat pale because of the green of the trees around it.

When the Blue Pond Is Quiet, and When It Is Not

The hours of the parking lot and the times when the area fills up are set side by side below.

In the main sightseeing season, the area around the Blue Pond is very crowded through the middle of the day. In the afternoon, the roads leading to the parking lot are also crowded and traffic jams can occur. Past the summer peak, the town and its sightseeing spots have gradually become quieter.

Time of year or day	Times
Area around the Blue Pond very crowded in the main sightseeing season	10:40 to 16:00
Parking lot hours, May to October	7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Parking lot hours, November to April	8:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Winter illumination start, October and November	5:00 PM
Winter illumination start, December	4:30 PM

Check the times in the table before you plan the day.

Shikisai no Oka and the Hills Around Biei

From December to April, the hills around Biei are covered with deep snow.

Shikisai no Oka is open year-round and is closed at the turn of the year. If you would rather leave the route to someone else, tours to the Blue Pond and the Biei hills are available.

From	Route or operator	Time
Biei Station to Shikisai no Oka	By car	About 12 minutes

Hours and Fees, and Planning the Day

Settle the order of the stops before the day begins, using the tables below. Check the times before you travel.

Part of the day	Stop or leg	Duration or hours
Arrive	Asahikawa Station to Biei Station, by local train	About 32 minutes
Arrive	Biei Station to the Blue Pond, by Dohoku Bus	About 20 minutes
Visit	Parking lot hours at the Blue Pond, May to October	AM 7:00 to PM 7:00
Visit	Parking lot hours at the Blue Pond, November to April	AM 8:00 to PM 9:30
Head back	Parking lot closing time at the Blue Pond, May to October	7:00 PM

Item	Price
Blue Pond parking, ordinary, small and light cars	1,000 yen
Blue Pond parking, motorcycles	300 yen
Blue Pond parking, large vehicles	6,000 yen
Coin lockers at the tourist information center	200 to 500 yen
Shikisai no Oka parking, June to September	500 yen

For a day without a car, see tours from Biei.