The Blue Pond (青い池, Aoiike) outside the hot spring town of Shirogane Onsen is named after its deep blue color which it owes to natural minerals dissolved in the water. Not promoted as a tourist spot until recent years, the pond is part of an erosion control system to prevent damage to Biei in case of an eruption by nearby Mount Tokachidake.

Besides a parking lot, the pond has not seen much touristic development. It takes visitors 5-10 minutes to walk through the forest to the pond. Around the pond there is not much to do other than to enjoy the scenery, which also includes some concrete structures of the erosion control system. The pond gets lit up on winter evenings from November to April until 9pm.

Getting there and around

The Blue Pond is located along prefectural road number 966, which connects central Biei with Tokachidake Onsen via Shirogane Onsen. A parking lot (500 yen per car) is located next to the road from where the pond can be reached in a 5-10 minute walk.

Buses between Biei Station and Shirogane Onsen stop at Shirogane Aoiike Iriguchi (白金青い池入口) bus stop along the way. The one way ride from Biei Station to the pond takes 20 minutes and costs 550 yen one way. There are buses only every 2-3 hours. In summer, the blue pond gets visited also by some sightseeing buses.

How to get to and around Furano

Hours and Fees

Hours

Closed

Admission

Hotels around Furano

Top rated in Furano
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    • Hotel Hanafuji Inn
      Budget-friendly
      Situated in Furano, 7.9 km from Furano Station, Hotel Hanafuji Inn features accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant. The 2-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 12 km from Windy Garden. At the hotel, the rooms come with a desk. Hotel Hanafuji Inn provides some rooms with mountain views, and the rooms include a kettle. All rooms in the accommodation are fitted with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. A continental breakfast is available each morning at Hotel Hanafuji Inn. Guests at the hotel will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing. Furano City Office is 8.2 km from Hotel Hanafuji Inn, while Furano Golf Course is 18 km from the property. The nearest airport is Asahikawa Airport, 33 km from the accommodation.
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    • Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANA
      Mid-range
      Located in Furano, 2.8 km from Furano Station, Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANA provides accommodation with free bikes, free private parking, a shared lounge and a restaurant. 4.1 km from Windy Garden and 2 km from Furano City Office, the property features ski-to-door access and ski storage space. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a shared bathroom with a bidet. Selected rooms are fitted with a kitchen with a microwave. At Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANA each room includes bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Guests at Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANA will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing. Furano Golf Course is 13 km from the hotel. The nearest airport is Asahikawa Airport, 42 km from Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANA.
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    • Cottage Morino Nakamatachi
      Budget-friendly
      Set in Furano in the Hokkaido region, Cottage Morino Nakamatachi offers accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking. Every unit features a private bathroom and shower, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and a fridge. A microwave, a stovetop and toaster are also featured, as well as a kettle. Guests can relax in the garden at the property. Furano Station is 3.1 km from the lodge, while Windy Garden is 3.6 km away. The nearest airport is Asahikawa Airport, 43 km from Cottage Morino Nakamatachi.
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    • Guest House EBISAN
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring 1-star accommodation, Guest House EBISAN is set in Furano, 21 km from Furano Station and 22 km from Windy Garden. This guest house offers free private parking, a concierge service and free WiFi. The accommodation provides bicycle parking and a shared lounge for guests. At the guest house, the units are fitted with a tatami. The units feature a shared bathroom, slippers and bed linen. Guests at the guest house will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing, cycling and hiking. Furano City Office is 21 km from Guest House EBISAN, while Furano Golf Course is 26 km away. The nearest airport is Asahikawa Airport, 61 km from the accommodation.
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    • La Vista Furano Hills Natural Hot Spring
      Luxury
      Situated in Furano, 300 metres from Furano Station, La Vista Furano Hills Natural Hot Spring features accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking and a restaurant. The 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a shared bathroom and free WiFi. The hotel offers a sauna and a 24-hour front desk. All units in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. All rooms in La Vista Furano Hills Natural Hot Spring are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. At the accommodation guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot spring bath. Windy Garden is 5.7 km from La Vista Furano Hills Natural Hot Spring, while Furano City Office is less than 1 km from the property. The nearest airport is Asahikawa Airport, 41 km from the hotel.
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    • Pension Lavender
      Budget-friendly
      A 10-minute taxi ride from JR Furano Train Station, the completely non-smoking Pension Lavender offers a homely lounge with a wood-burning stove and a large flat-screen TV. The heated rooms have free Wi-Fi. The simply furnished, Western-style rooms at Lavender Pension have a lamp and a nightstand. Matching floral patterns decorate the beds and curtains. Some rooms have a private bathroom. The pension is 4 km from Furano Ski Resort and a 25-minute drive from Farm Tomita. Asahigaoka Park is 1.7 km away. On-site parking is free. Free tea and instant coffee are provided at the lounge, and the terrace offers mountain views. You can enjoy a DVD or use the free Wi-Fi, and slippers are provided. Luggage storage and safe deposit are available at the front desk. A Western breakfast set is served at the dining room, which has tall windows and potted plants.
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    • CHALET BURLAP FURANUI
      Mid-range
      Located in Furano, 2.8 km from Furano Station, CHALET BURLAP FURANUI provides accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking, a restaurant and ski-to-door access. This 3-star hotel offers a ski pass sales point and free shuttle service. Providing free WiFi throughout the property, the non-smoking hotel features a sauna. At the hotel, all rooms have a wardrobe. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a shower and free toiletries, all units at CHALET BURLAP FURANUI have a TV and air conditioning, and some rooms here will provide you with a terrace. At the accommodation every room comes with bed linen and towels. Guests at CHALET BURLAP FURANUI can enjoy a buffet breakfast. The hotel offers a hot spring bath. Guests at CHALET BURLAP FURANUI will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing. Windy Garden is 3.8 km from the accommodation, while Furano City Office is 2 km away. The nearest airport is Asahikawa Airport, 42 km from CHALET BURLAP FURANUI.
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    • Chalet Fuyuri
      Budget-friendly
      Just a 1-minute walk from Kita-no-Mine Gondola Station at Furano Ski Resort, Chalet Fuyuri offers apartment-style accommodations with a living room and kitchen. Free wired Wi-Fi is available and guests can sit on the spacious sofa and watch DVDs on the flat-screen TV. A free shuttle is available from JR Furano Train Station, which is a 10-minute drive away. The air-conditioned apartments have a balcony, a dining area and a loft. An all-in-one washer/dryer is provided, while the full kitchen comes with a stove, a microwave, a toaster and a fridge. Guests can cook their own meals using the provided kitchenware and electric kettle. Bathrobes and slippers come with the en suite bathroom. Outdoor activities such as rafting, fishing and hot air balloon rides can be arranged at the front desk. Rental laptops are available and guests can request for a free shuttle to tour Furano city. Fuyuri Chalet is a 15-minute drive from Furano Cheese Factory and Furano Wine Factory. No meals are served.
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    • Hotel Munin Furano
      Mid-range
      Situated in Furano, 2.8 km from Furano Station, Hotel Munin Furano features accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. Featuring a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 3.8 km from Windy Garden. At the hotel, rooms are fitted with a desk. The rooms in Hotel Munin Furano are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. Guests at the accommodation will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing. Furano City Office is 1.9 km from Hotel Munin Furano, while Furano Golf Course is 13 km from the property. The nearest airport is Asahikawa Airport, 42 km from the hotel.
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    • Fenix Furano
      Luxury
      Located in Furano, Fenix Furano provides 4-star accommodation with private balconies. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and a lift, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The aparthotel features family rooms. At the aparthotel, all units come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a bidet, slippers and a hair dryer. Units are fitted with a coffee machine, while selected rooms are fitted with a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, an oven and a microwave. At the aparthotel, the units are equipped with bed linen and towels. The daily breakfast offers continental, American or Asian options. Guests at the aparthotel will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like hiking. Skiing and cycling can be enjoyed nearby, while a ski equipment rental service, ski-to-door access and a ski pass sales point are also available on-site. Furano Station is 3 km from Fenix Furano, while Windy Garden is 4 km away. The nearest airport is Asahikawa, 42 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
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