[2025 Biei Stay] Travel Guide for Aonobi Yuyu (Updated May)

#Ho-kang-seu #Biei #Hokkaido-travel #Japan-travel 📍Japan Hokkaido, Yumoto Shirogane Onsen Hotel Yumoto Shirogane, a ryokan hotel with great value for money, It's a place where breakfast/dinner kaiseki is included for around 70,000 won per person per night. In particular, the snowy scenery outside the window was really beautiful. Since the Shirasu Falls is right in front of the accommodation, I recommend visiting them together! Since it's a ryokan hotel, there's also an outdoor hot spring, so the best thing is that you can enjoy the hot spring while looking at the snowy scenery.

The Shirogane Fudo Waterfall is approximately 30 meters high and located in Shirogane Onsen Village in Biei Town, Hokkaido. It's a hidden natural wonder at the foot of Mt. Tokachi. The water flows like fine threads, and the waterfall is famous for its "ice waterfall" formed when it freezes in winter, hence its name. When the waterfall's water hits the ground, it creates a large amount of mist and water vapor. This moisture sometimes forms beautiful rime ice on the surrounding trees and branches. Downstream, the Biei River water appears mint blue and crystal clear, creating a breathtaking sight. Especially in April when the area is still covered in deep snow, the cascading waterfall transforms into translucent ice pillars, creating a charming contrast with the surrounding snow-covered pine forest, like a secret ice realm from a fairy tale. It's recommended to visit by self-driving or joining a tour for convenience. Navigate to "Shirogane Fudo Waterfall," approximately a 2-hour drive from downtown Sapporo. The snowy scenery along the way is magnificent, but be aware of winter road conditions with snow accumulation. It's advisable to rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle with snow tires ❄. Frozen Waterfall Panorama: When completely frozen, the ice wall is about 10 meters high with intricate textures like fine carvings. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the panoramic view, which is even more stunning with the snow-covered pine forest in the background. Snowy Forest Path: The path to the waterfall is covered with thick snow, lined with straight coniferous trees. Sunlight filtering through the treetops onto the snow creates mysterious light and shadow effects perfect for photography. Mt. Tokachi Vista: From Mibou Bridge or clearings along the path, you can view the Tokachi volcanic group in the distance. On clear days, the snow-capped mountain silhouette is distinct, creating a layered scene with the frozen waterfall. Travel Tips ⛄ Clothing and Equipment: In April, Hokkaido may still experience snowfall with temperatures ranging from -5°C to 5°C. Wear anti-slip hiking boots and down jackets, and bring gloves and scarves. Snow on the trail can be deep, so trekking poles are helpful. Timing: Early morning or dusk offers soft lighting when the ice waterfall displays blue tones or golden luster. Avoid shooting during strong midday sunlight for better results. Safety Tips: The ground near the frozen waterfall is slippery; never climb the ice wall. Some areas may have snow covering hidden ditches, so stick to marked trails. Hot Spring Experience: The nearby Shirogane Onsen Village has open-air baths. "Ao no Biyuyu" hot spring inn is recommended for soaking away hiking fatigue while enjoying the tranquility surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Food Recommendations: When passing through Biei Town on your return, try Hokkaido's specialty Genghis Khan grilled lamb or hot soup curry to warm up. The winter frozen spectacle of Shirogane Fudo Waterfall is a lesser-known yet stunning check-in spot in Sapporo, Hokkaido. If you prefer snowy secret places and nature's masterpieces, this will surely become a highlight of your journey! ✨ (Note: Attraction accessibility may be affected by weather conditions. It's recommended to check local real-time information before your visit.)

We took the JR from Asahikawa Station 🚄 to Biei Station, which took about 50 minutes. After arriving at Biei Station, we took a taxi to the hotel, which took about 20 minutes and cost 7,600 yen (taxi fares in Japan are really high 😭). When we arrived at the hotel, we were pleasantly surprised to find that for only 1,500 yuan per night, the hotel also included a hearty breakfast and dinner, which made us very satisfied. We booked a deluxe twin room, which was quite spacious for Japan, and we were very satisfied 😂. At around 10 pm, when there were fewer people, my friend and I decided to go to the hot spring. The outdoor hot spring experience was amazing! While enjoying the comfort of the hot spring, we could also enjoy the beautiful snow scene, which was really great 😭 (since we couldn't bring our phones into the hot spring, we didn't take any photos). The next morning, after breakfast, we went for a walk to Shirahige Waterfall next to the hotel. It only took a minute or two to walk there, but the photos really couldn't fully capture its beauty. Surrounded by magnificent snow-capped mountains 🏔, if you are driving, we recommend you go and have a look, but we didn't have a car, so it was not convenient for us to go. There are mainly hot spring hotels and homestays near the hotel, and not many commercial areas. Therefore, we recommend buying some food and drinks at a convenience store in the city before going to the hotel. There is also a small supermarket in the hotel lobby, but the variety of goods is relatively small.

#Sapporo Hotel Yumoto Shirogane Onsen Hotel is located on the shores of Lake Towada in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, and features stunning lake views and high-quality hot spring facilities. I stayed here in December 2022 and had a very good overall impression of the hotel. We took the free shuttle bus provided by the hotel. Just contact the hotel by email in advance and we can arrange pick-up at Asahikawa Station! Since we went there during the snow season, the scenery was very beautiful and the Shirahige Falls was right behind the hotel. As soon as we arrived at the hotel, we walked around the area. Because of the snow, we didn’t dare to walk too far and just took some photos nearby! We booked a one-night stay with two meals package. After dinner, the hotel also provided a free shuttle bus to Biei Blue Pond to watch the night light event, which was very thoughtful! Although the whole car was filled with Japanese people and we were not speaking the same language, we all enjoyed it very much! The hotel is located in the snow, and you can see beautiful snow scenery in every corner of the hotel. You won’t feel bored even if you stare at the window all day long! #Biei-cho #Shirogane Blue Pond #Hokkaido #Hot Spring Inn #Blue Pond #Asahikawa