Where every road is a postcard
May–September, October (autumn), January–March (snow)
Photographers, road trippers, nature lovers
Blue Pond
Bus from Asahikawa (1 hr)
Photographer's paradise. Every angle is a composition. The Blue Pond looks edited even in person. Winter adds a surreal quality — the pond stays unfrozen and blue against white snow.
Biei's rolling patchwork of fields — red quinoa, golden wheat, green potato — framed by the Tokachi Range has made it Japan's most photographed rural landscape. The Blue Pond, created by a volcanic dam, glows an otherworldly turquoise.
Bus from Asahikawa (1 hr). Car from Furano (30 min). No train station.
Shirogane Onsen Hotel — stay at the Blue Pond
Biei Guesthouse Hinode — friendly, home-cooked meals
Biei Youth Hostel — basic, great location for sunrise shoots
Blue Pond in snow — surreal unfrozen turquoise against white
Planting season — brown fields with mountain backdrop
Green Patchwork Road — rolling fields in full color
Golden wheat fields — the most photogenic season
Otherworldly turquoise water, all seasons
50km of scenic rural roads
Blue river waterfalls near the pond
Similar to Furano. Very cold winters (-12°C). Pleasant summers (24°C).
Car essential. Biei has no train — nearest is Biei Station on Furano Line.
Minimal English. Download offline maps and translation app.