Shirokane Biei, Higashikawa, spectacular scenery and gourmet day drive tour

❄️ In Hokkaido in winter, Biei can encounter the most fantastic and beautiful scenes.

This is a fulfilling one-day ? car rental driving course that fulfills all your needs.

The journey begins in a beautiful hilly area where the snow has begun to makeup. First of all, in Higashikawa Town, you will gently warm your body with a special morning porridge.
Then, feel the four seasons of Biei at photographer Shinzo Maeda’s Takushinkan, and take a photo of your memories at the adjacent Shirakaba Corridor, a perfect photo spot where the contrast between snow and birch is woven.

Next, you will stand in front of the Christmas tree, one of the symbols of Biei, and enjoy the postcard-like scenery created by a single tree standing on a majestic hill to your heart’s content.

After that, I prayed for a safe trip and a good relationship at Biei Shrine.

For lunch, you can enjoy the popular Biei Fruit Selection where you can enjoy wheat and ingredients from Biei, and enjoy shopping while tasting local ingredients.

The highlight of the trip is the platinum blue pond where blue water freezes.
In winter, it transforms into a “white pond” covered with pure white snow, and its fantastic appearance is breathtakingly beautiful.
And at Whitebeard Falls, which cascades down into the blue river, the water flow that shines blue even in the freezing winter offers a mysterious contrast.

Finally, to heal your cold body with spectacular sightseeing, enjoy an exquisite day trip bath at the nearby Shirokane Onsen. While soaking in the snowy open-air bath, relax to your heart’s content.

This winter trip to Biei, which combines the three beats of “spectacular view”, “gourmet food”, and “healing”, will be a special day that you will never forget.

Use this model course to help you plan a memorable drive.

1 Day

08:30

If you are worried about renting a car and driving , you can also arrange a sightseeing taxi.
09:10

Time required: Approximately 40 minutes
1
Chinese tea and porridge Okuizumi

We offer porridge cooked with rice from Higashikawa and delicious water from the Daisetsuzan Mountains, as well as fragrant Chinese tea.

Please enjoy it while looking at the Daisetsuzan Mountains.

Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Business hours: 7 a.m. ~ 11 a.m. (10:30 a.m. L.O.), 13 a.m. ~ 4 p.m. (15:30 L.O.)

TEL　0166-56-0280
10:30

Time required: about 20 minutes
2
Takushinkan and Shirakaba Corridor

A sacred place for landscape photography in Biei.

After viewing the works at the gallery, we went to the adjacent Shirakaba Corridor.

The white trunks of the snow-covered birches shine vividly against the blue sky, and you can take photos of the tranquil scenery only in winter.

Business hours ◎Open every day during the exhibition period (there may be a long closure in April)

Opening hours: Summer April to October: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (admission until 4:45 p.m.) Winter: November to March: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last admission at 3:45 p.m.)

Admission and parking fees Free

Inquiries Tel: 0166-92-3355

We will keep you updated on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/maedashinzo/

Right next to it is the “Indigo Dyeing Yui no Mori” where you can experience indigo dyeing, and you can also experience it.
11:45

Time required: Approximately 15 minutes
3
Christmas tree tree

A single pine tree stands in the majestic hills of Biei as if someone had decorated it.

By applying snow makeup, the appearance becomes even more like a Christmas tree, creating a spectacular postcard-like view.

【Important】 Since it is on private property, please avoid entering beyond the fence or entering the field. Strictly observe the visit from public roads.
12:25

Time required: about 10 minutes
4
Biei Shrine

It is known as a power spot in Hokkaido, especially as the god of matchmaking and good marriage.

In the quiet precincts wrapped in snow, pray for the safety of your trip and a good relationship. One of the pleasures is to find the hidden heart mark in the precincts.

24-hour worship

Closed: None
13:10

Time required: Approximately 15 minutes
5
【Lunch/Break】Biei Selection Fruit Main Store

A spot where carefully selected local ingredients such as wheat and vegetables from Biei gather.

【Note】 The restaurant is closed in winter, so you can buy bread (Biei Wheat Workshop), snacks, and sweets sold in the fruit selection market and enjoy them freely in the eat-in space. It is also ideal for souvenir procurement.
14:35

Time required: Approx. 25 minutes
6
Platinum Blue Pond

The cobalt-blue water surface is hidden by snow, and the withered larch trees transform into a “white pond” covered in snow.

The fantastic scenery of winter surrounded by tranquility is a must-see.

It is also lit up at night in winter.

Parking hours

May – October AM 7:00~PM 7:00
November ~ April AM 8:00~PM 9:30

Motorcycles 100 yen

Ordinary cars Small cars Light cars 500 yen

Large vehicle (total length 6m or more) 2,000 yen
15:10

Time required: about 5 minutes
7
Whitebeard Falls

A dynamic waterfall with groundwater flowing out vigorously from the gaps in the bedrock.

Even in the middle of winter, it does not freeze, and the way it flows into the blue Biei River (Blue River) creates a beautiful contrast with the world of silver.

The view from the top of the bridge is spectacular.

Regarding car parking, “Please use the public parking lot in front of the Shirokane Tourist Center.”
15:45

On foot to your favorite day trip hot spring facility

♨️ Shirokane Onsen: Facilities and details where you can take a day trip

Located about a 5-minute drive from Hige Falls, Shirokane Onsen Town has several day-trip bathing facilities that are perfect for capping off your sightseeing.

Please enjoy a healing time such as the Yukimi open-air bath that warms your cold body from the core.

For more information, please check the website of the Biei Shirokane Onsen Tourism Association.

http://www.biei-shiroganeonsen.com/higaeri.html

Facility Name	Contact and Opening Hours	Fee	Equipment
Mori no Shizuku RIN (formerly: Daisetsuzan Shirokane Kanko Hotel)	Tel.0166-94-3111 11:00~21:00 (Last reception 20:30)	Adults (junior high school students and older) 1200 yen / Children (elementary school students) 600 yen / Infants (3 ~ 5 years old) 350 yen / Under 3 years old Free face towel (sales) 220 yen / Bath towel (rental) 100 yen *Prices include consumption tax.	●Open-air bath and sauna / Yes ●Soap / Yes ●Shampoo and conditioner / Yes *Replacement system/Yes■Free break room 11:00～18:00
Ainomi Yuyu (formerly: Yumoto Shirokane Onsen Hotel)	Tel.0166-94-3333 11:00~20:00 (Last reception 19:30)	Adults (junior high school students and older) 1200 yen / Children (elementary school students) 600 yen / Infants (3~5 years old) 350 yen / Under 3 years old Free towel set rental fee (bath towel / facet doll) 330 yen *Prices include consumption tax.	●Open-air bath and sauna / Yes ●Soaps / Yes ●Shampoo and conditioner / Yes ■Free rest area open 11:00~15:00
Forest Inn: Biei	Tel.0166-68-1500 11:00～14:00	Adult/1,000 yen 6~12 years old/500 yen 3~5 years old/300 yen Towel rental (set) / 400 yen Small / 200 yen	●Open-air bath/Yes ●Soap/Yes ●Shampoo/conditioner/Yes■Rest room/None ■Closed/Mondays/
National Recreation Center	Tel.0166-94-3016 9:30~20:00	Adult / 300 yen 3 years old ~ 12 years old / 100 yen Towel sales small / 200 yen	● Open-air bath / Sauna / None ● Soap / None ● Shampoo / Conditioner / None ■Rest room/Paid/Free lobby ■Closed/Monday
Onsen Guesthouse Biei Shirokane-no-Yu	Tel.0166-74-8131 11:00～18:00	Adults/600 yen 7~12 years old/300 yen 6 years old and younger/200 yen Towel rental/Large 100 yen, Small 50 yen Towel sales / Small 100 yen	●Open-air bath / Yes ● Sauna / None ● Soaps / Yes ● Shampoo and conditioner / Yes■Rest room/Yes