Blue Pond, Biei
白金青い池 · Biei, Hokkaido
Cobalt-blue water and dead trees: a dreamscape chosen as a Mac wallpaper
Antes de ir · Know before you go
- Taboos: walking through farmland for photos (much of the land around the pond is private farmland), and occupying parking spaces for long.
Este artículo está «Sin verificar». Consulte los avisos oficiales sobre precios, horarios y fechas.
Por qué es tan popular
The 'Blue Pond' at Shirogane Onsen became famous overnight when Apple chose a photo of it as a Mac OS wallpaper, and the image of dead larches standing in cobalt-blue water is a 'must-see Hokkaido' on Instagram and Xiaohongshu. From July 2026 parking rose to JPY 1,000 for ordinary cars (to tackle overtourism of more than 1.1 million visitors a year), and the winter 'Blue Pond light show' is just as popular.
Culture
Cultura y costumbres
Contexto cultural
The Blue Pond was originally created by a dam built to prevent mudflows after the 1988 eruption of Tokachi-dake — a landscape that is a 'blessing in disguise'; Biei is the 'town of hills', and its patchwork farmland and the Blue Pond together make up Hokkaido's pastoral poetry.
Costumbres locales
- On the pondside trail, don't climb the fence or go into the water
- in winter paths are extremely slippery, so use the cleared walkways
- don't throw stones or disturb the waterbirds.
Religión y creencias
None. Ainu culture regards nature as divine (kamuy) — reverence is enough.
Etiquette
Normas y tabúes
No lo haga DON'T
Taboos: walking through farmland for photos (much of the land around the pond is private farmland), and occupying parking spaces for long.
Lo que aprecian los locales DO
Biei residents appreciate visitors who 'come off-peak (early morning or evening)'
Plan your visit
Información práctica
| Mejor época | The water is bluest May–October (midday light is best); in winter (November–April) there's a light show but the pond is frozen |
|---|---|
| Cómo llegar | From Asahikawa Station take the JR Furano Line to Biei Station and change to a bus, or drive |
Consejos de viaje
- The water is bluest May–October (midday light is best)
- in winter (November–April) there's a light show but the pond is frozen
- access: from Asahikawa Station take the JR Furano Line to Biei Station and change to a bus, or drive
- combine with Shikisai-no-Oka and the Christmas Tree for a day trip
- parking is JPY 1,000 per visit.
Eat nearby
Qué comer cerca
Imprescindible
- Biei curry udon / soup curry
- Biei milk / soft-serve
- Corn / potato farm snacks
Biei curry udon / soup curry, Biei milk / soft-serve, corn / potato farm snacks, 'Blue Pond'-coloured sodas / desserts (creative offerings at nearby shops), Asahikawa ramen (nearby)
| Dónde comer | The shop at the Blue Pond car park (seasonal), restaurants in front of Biei Station / around the 'town of hills', the 'Oka no Kura' roadside station |
|---|---|
| Normas en la mesa | No eating or drinking on the Blue Pond boardwalk, don't cross the railings; all farmland is off-limits (take photos from the roadside) |
| Precio orientativo por persona | JPY 1,500–2,800 ≈ CNY 68–126 |
| Consejos | The shop closes in winter, so bring hot drinks; Biei milk with bread from the bakery by the station is the most local combination. |
Los precios son orientativos a octubre de 2026, no presupuestos exactos; en zonas con tipos de cambio muy variables solo se da un intervalo aproximado en yuanes.
ノボホショコロトソ · CC BY 4.0
Photos
Fotos
MaedaAkihiko · CC BY-SA 4.0
LR0725 · CC BY-SA 4.0
LR0725 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Fuentes y notas de verificación
- In-depth research on Japanese sights (2026-10-15). Sources: HTB Hokkaido News
- Biei town car-park regulations.
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