September itinerary in Japan Day 8 (Hokkaido Day 3)
(Sunday, October 3)
Table of contents
I was planning to go to Biei on the last day of the extra edition of the itinerary, but I changed my schedule and went to Biei on the 3rd day of Hokkaido (October 3rd). The weather forecast was raining on October 4, so I thought it would be better to go to Biei before it rained. However, I rented a bicycle in Biei, and 5 minutes after I started running, it rained for 30 minutes and it got quite wet. Be careful as the autumn sky is volatile. After that, the rain stopped and I was able to cycle comfortably.
https://edokagura.com/en/local-cuisine/571/
In the morning, my decision to go to Biei was delayed, so I took the late JR Limited Express Kamui No. 7 departing from Sapporo Station at 9:00 to Asahikawa Station (arriving at 10:25). After that, I went to Biei (Asahikawa station 10:39 departure JR Furano line Biei station 11:13 arrival).
I couldn’t get on the “Miyu Bus” departing at 9:45 because the departure from Sapporo was delayed. According to the person in charge at the Biei Tourist Center (bus stop), there were vacant seats on the “Miyu Bus” on October 3rd. For reference, the schedule of “Miyu Bus” is reposted.
“Biei View Bus” (sponsored by the Biei Tourism Association)
| Shikino Jouhoukan 9:45 (1 minute walk from Biei Station) Shirahige Waterfall (getting off sightseeing) Shirogane Blue Pond (getting off sightseeing) Shikisai-no-Oka (getting off sightseeing) Photo Gallery Takushin-kan (getting off sightseeing) Shikino Jouhoukan Arrive at 12:50 |
“Biei View Bus” fare: Adults June / October: Yen 2,600 July-September: Yen 3,000
Elementary school students: June / October: Yen 1,300 July-September: Yen 1,500, free for children under 5 years old
Renting a bicycle
Biei’s bicycle rental fee is as high as 3,000 yen for 5 hours on an electrically power assisted bicycle. I think it’s about twice as much as the average tourist destination. Although the price is high, I enjoyed cycling while renting a bicycle and watching the beautiful scenery of Biei. Biei has many hills and a long mileage, so it is highly recommended to rent a power-assisted bicycle.
Introducing the distance from Biei Station. “Shirahige Waterfall” and “Shirogane Blue Pond” are nearby.
| Shirahige Waterfall (Shirokane Onsen nearby): 19.7km Shirogane Blue Pond: 17km (3.1km from Shirahige Waterfall) Shikisai no Oka: 7.9km Photo Gallery Takushin-kan: 8.6km (2.5km from Shikisai no Oka) |
There is a Biei River / Blue Pond Cycling Course (along the Biei River) to the Blue Pond. It was a very comfortable cycling road. It’s a straight road, so you won’t get lost. I was able to see the autumn leaves that had begun to color.
It took about 30 minutes from Biei station to Blue Pond without a break. In my case, it was raining so I hurried, but I think it will take about 45 minutes if I run slowly while looking at the scenery. The problem with the cycling course is that it is difficult to take a break because there are no guide signs for restaurants, etc., even though it is a little far from the road where the restaurants are located (Tokachidake Onsen Biei Line No. 966).
https://www.hkd.mlit.go.jp/as/tisui/vkvvn80000000xuh-att/vktdfd000000eq1g.pdf
Blue pond
Blue Pond is probably the most famous tourist spot in Biei. October 3rd, when I visited, was just after the rain, but the pond was a beautiful blue color. There were many tourists who came by car. I was the only one who came to the blue pond on a rental cycle.
The reason for the blue color is that the sunlight and colloidal particles hit and scatter the light. Blue with short wavelengths is easy to scatter and looks blue to the eye. The actual water is not blue. Colloidal particles are formed by mixing water containing aluminum that flows out of Shirahige Waterfall and water from the Biei River. Certainly, the river under the Shirahige Waterfall was also blue.
http://www.biei-shiroganeonsen.com/spot_midokoro.html
Shirahige Waterfall
The distance from the blue pond to Shirahige Waterfall is 3.1km, so it takes about 5 minutes by bicycle. As mentioned earlier, the water under Shirahige Waterfall looks blue, just as the aluminum of Shirahige Waterfall turned the blue pond blue. Shirogane Onsen is located above Shirahige Waterfall.
http://www.biei-shiroganeonsen.com/index.html
Shikisai no Oka
After visiting Shirahige Waterfall, I had lunch and went to Shikisai no Oka. The flower fields on Shikisai no Oka were very beautiful, and the scenery was spectacular. There was also a sunflower field that had the image of summer flowers.
From Shirahige Waterfall to Shikisai no Oka, I enjoyed cycling while looking at the beautiful hills of Biei. It took about 50 minutes by bicycle from Shirahige Waterfall to Shikisai no Oka, but the scenery was beautiful and I never got bored. However, when heading toward Biei Station from Shikisai no Oka, it is very dangerous to ride a bicycle on Route 237 because of the heavy traffic. Let’s pass other than the Route 237.
The topography of Biei Hill was formed by the eruption of a volcano. After the eruption of Mt. Tokachi accumulated volcanic ash and debris flow, it was eroded by rivers and formed a terrain called wavy hills. I think Biei Hill is beautiful no matter how many times I come. Biei is a member of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Japan” Union.
Ken and Mary Tree
The Ken and Mary trees were used to shoot the 1972 Nissan Skyline commercial. It’s been many years since the commercial ended, but it’s still one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Biei.
Return to Sapporo
After finishing sightseeing in Biei by rental cycle, I returned to Sapporo. I left Biei at 16:28 and arrived in Sapporo at 18:55.
(From JR Biei Station 16:28, JR Furano Line, JR Asahikawa Station 17:01, JR Asahikawa Station 17:30, JR Limited Express Lilac 38, JR Sapporo Station 18:55)
Note: The departure / arrival times, fees, admission fees, etc. of transportation listed in the text are as of the time of writing the BLOG. They may change in the future, so please check for yourself when you go on a trip.