From Sapporo: A Winter Day Tour to Ningle Terrace and the Blue Pond Illumination

One Day Through Winter in Biei and Furano, from Sapporo

This is a shared day tour from Sapporo to the winter highlights of Biei and Furano. You'll visit Shikisai-no-Oka (Shikisai Hill), the Christmas Tree, the Shirogane Blue Pond, Shirahige Falls, and Ningle Terrace.

During the day, take in wide hills and snow-covered countryside. After dusk, head to a pond and a forest lit up with colour. As the hours pass, the mood of the landscape shifts, and you'll see many different sides of winter in Hokkaido in a single day.

Playing in the Snow at Shikisai-no-Oka and Biei's Hill Scenery

Once the snow settles, Shikisai-no-Oka is wrapped in a silvery-white landscape. Gaze across the gentle hills toward the distant mountains and you'll feel the sweeping openness that Biei is known for.

During the snow season, Snowland offers snow activities such as snowmobiling and sledding, available for an additional fee. Whether you want to get moving in the snow or simply enjoy the view, there's something here for you.

Biei's "Christmas Tree" is another photo stop on this tour. A single tree stands in a wide field, and the snow-covered hills and open sky around it make it stand out even more.

What Does the Shirogane Blue Pond Look Like in Winter?

In winter, the Shirogane Blue Pond is a quiet scene of snow and rows of larch trees. During the snow season the blue water is covered over, revealing a white world very different from the green season.

At night, the colours and angles of the illumination change, bringing out the snow and the silhouettes of the trees. It's a place where you'll want to keep taking photos and enjoy each passing moment.

Viewing the Winter Gorge at Shirahige Falls

Shirahige Falls ("White Beard Falls") gets its name from the water streaming out of gaps in the rock like a white beard. Beyond the falls, the blue Biei River flows on, and you can look out over the gorge from the bridge.

In winter, the white of snow and rime ice makes the blue of the river even more striking. Here you'll find a different kind of beauty in Biei, shaped by flowing water rather than rolling hills.

Strolling Through the Ningle Terrace Illuminations

Ningle Terrace is a walking spot in the forest, where log cabins sit in a row. Snow-covered roofs and light spilling from the windows create a warm scene on a winter night.

The cabins display craft items inspired by nature. Following the lights through the forest and peeking into the shops that catch your eye is part of the fun.

Before You Book

• Please check the meeting information and contact details in the email sent the day before.
• Meals and snow activities are not included and cost extra.
• Snow activities vary depending on snow conditions and operating status.
• Please bring warm clothing and non-slip shoes.
• Please check the participation conditions regarding age and health.
• Please check the cancellation and change policy.
• Travel insurance is not included in the price.
• Destinations and the itinerary may change depending on weather and road conditions.

Winter weather and road conditions may change the itinerary or stops. Please check the latest information on the booking page before you book.

Summary

This is a group tour in English and Chinese that departs from Sapporo and covers the winter highlights of the Biei and Furano area in about 10 hours.

During the day, you'll play in the snow at Shikisai-no-Oka, see the lone Christmas Tree standing in a field, and visit Shirahige Falls, where water streams out from between the rocks. After dusk, head to Ningle Terrace, glowing with warm light, and to the Shirogane Blue Pond illumination, where ice, snow, and bare trees emerge from the darkness.

It's a tour for anyone who wants to see snowy landscapes and winter illuminations in a single day. Please review the details before booking, including the email sent the day before, no same-day cancellations, and the fact that travel insurance is not included.