Sapporo Winter Day Tour: Blue Pond Illumination and Hokkaido's Snowy Landscapes

Leaving Sapporo for the Snowy Scenery of Biei and Furano

This one-day round trip departs from Sapporo at 11:20 and returns at 20:30. Guiding is available in English and Chinese, but if fewer than 12 people join, the tour may run with a driver only and no guide on board.

Driving a rental car on snowy roads in Hokkaido can be stressful, but because round-trip transport is included, you can simply sit back and enjoy the view from the window. Once you leave the city, vast snowfields and the ridgeline of the Tokachidake mountain range soon open up before you.

Snowfield Views and Photos at Shikisai-no-Oka

In winter, the flower fields of the Biei area turn into pure white snowfields. At Shikisai-no-Oka, characters made from straw rolls greet you under a coat of snow, with a snowy mountain ridge stretching out behind them.

The contrast between white and blue is intense here, so sunglasses and sun protection will make photo-taking more comfortable. The sheer scale of the hills you see here is a taste of the forest and waterfall scenery still to come.

A Lone Tree on the Snowfield: Biei's Christmas Tree

A single spruce standing alone on a Biei snowfield is known as the "Christmas Tree" for its shape, and it is a popular scenic spot.

The simple view of a white hill and one lone tree is exactly what conveys the wide-open feel of a Hokkaido winter. Time here is fairly short, so once you step off the bus, take a moment to frame the snowfield and the tree in a well-balanced photo.

Depending on conditions on the day, such as traffic or road restrictions, the stop may be changed to the Ken and Mary Tree.

Frozen Shirahige Falls and the Blue River Below

At Shirahige Falls ("White Beard Falls"), water pours from the cliff in many streams, and in winter icicles cover the surroundings while a bluish river flows beneath. The water looks blue because the river's water quality is linked to the colour of the Blue Pond itself.

Looking down from the observation bridge, you can capture the white of the ice and the blue of the water in a single frame. Seeing the colour of the water here first will help you better understand the Blue Pond later on.

Glowing Log Cabins in the Forest: Ningle Terrace

At Ningle Terrace, you can enjoy a scene of small log cabins scattered among the trees. Snow-covered roofs, wooden railings, and the stairs and paths linking the cabins create a true forest atmosphere.

When you spot a view you like, try capturing the snow, the trees and the log cabins together in one shot. Strolling along the little paths is part of the fun of this place.

Please note that Ningle Terrace may be replaced by a visit to Takushinkan in case of closures, traffic congestion or road restrictions.

The Main Event: The Blue Pond Illumination at Night

The highlight of the tour is Biei's Blue Pond, illuminated after sunset. In the daytime, its milky, pale-blue surface quietly reflects the dead trees standing in the water, but at night the lighting turns the water a deep blue.

On snowy days, the snow lit by the lights appears like tiny points of light, creating a dreamlike scene. The illumination is bright enough that you can capture the reflections of the trees on the water even without a tripod.

After the visit, you head back to Sapporo, arriving at around 20:30.

Before You Book

• Departure times vary by season, so check the meeting time for your booked date
• Gather at the designated spot at the North Exit of Sapporo Station 10 minutes before departure
• Stops may change depending on conditions on the day
• Ningle Terrace may be replaced by a visit to Takushinkan due to closures, traffic or road restrictions
• With fewer than 12 participants, the tour may run with a driver only and no guide
• You will be walking outdoors in snow, so bring warm clothing and non-slip shoes
• Cancellations up to 24 hours before departure are fully refunded. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable

Prices, departure times, stops and itineraries are subject to change. Please check the latest information before booking.

Summary

This bus tour takes you from Sapporo toward Biei and Furano, covering Hokkaido's winter scenery in a single day: snowfields, forests, waterfalls and the Blue Pond.

Enjoy the snowy views at Shikisai-no-Oka or Chiyoda Farm, then see Biei's Christmas Tree and Shirahige Falls. With Ningle Terrace or Takushinkan, each stop has its own charm, and you watch Hokkaido's scenery shift from day into night.

The finale is the Blue Pond illumination after sunset. With snow and dead trees emerging in the lights, you see a winter Blue Pond quite unlike its daytime self.

This winter-only tour is ideal for anyone who wants to experience everything from classic Hokkaido snowfields to a night illumination in one day, without driving on snowy roads.

You can check availability and book through Winter Blue Pond Illumination & Hokkaido Nature One-Day Tour.