Shirahige Falls in Biei: Where to See It and How to Avoid the Traffic

By Chaporo, a Sapporo local Published
Shirahige Falls in Biei: Where to See It and How to Avoid the Traffic

Quick answers

  • A 30-meter waterfall that pours out of the cliff in white strands into the blue Biei River
  • Seen from a bridge over the river; free car park
  • About 2.5 km from the Blue Pond, and lit up every evening all year until 21:00
  • In summer, come in from the Mt. Tokachi side to avoid the queues

Shirahige Falls, in Shirogane at the foot of Mt. Tokachi in Biei, is a waterfall about 30 meters high that pours out of the cliff in thin white strands, like a white beard, which is what the name means, into the blue-white Biei River below. You see it from a bridge over the river, and the car park is free. It is about 2.5 kilometers, five minutes by car, from the Blue Pond, so most people see the two together.

What is Shirahige Falls like?

Shirahige Falls pouring down the cliff into the blue Biei River, seen from the bridge

The water does not drop from a river above: it is groundwater that seeps out between the rock layers of the cliff and falls in many white threads, with plenty of water and real power. From spring to summer, the white of the falls against the green of the forest makes it a popular photo spot.

Look up from the falls and you can see the mountains behind, Mt. Biei and Mt. Tokachi, a reminder of how close you are to the volcanoes.

Mt. Biei and Mt. Tokachi beyond the forest, seen from the bridge at Shirahige Falls

Where to see it from

You see the falls from the bridge across the Biei River. In the summer season it gets crowded with visitors.

The bridge over the Biei River where visitors look at Shirahige Falls

The falls are lit up every evening all year, from sunset to 21:00, so in summer you can see the Blue Pond in the late afternoon and come back for the falls after dark. See the Biei town page (in Japanese).

How to get to Shirahige Falls

From Asahikawa: just under an hour. Take Route 237 toward Biei and Furano, just as you reach Biei town, turn left onto Prefectural Road 966 (signed for Shirogane Onsen), and follow it about 20 kilometers; the falls are on your left.

From Sapporo: two and a half to three hours. Take Route 12 or the Do-o Expressway to Iwamizawa or Mikasa, then cross the mountains to Furano on Prefectural Road 116, Route 452 and Prefectural Road 135; the pass is a mountain road, so drive carefully. From Furano, head north to the small town of Kamifurano, then east to Roadside Station Biei "Shirogane Birke" on Prefectural Road 966, and turn right; the falls are on your left.

There is a free car park.

Avoiding the summer traffic

In the summer season, the road to Shirahige Falls and the Blue Pond backs up with cars waiting for the car parks. Most traffic comes from the center of Biei; coming in from the mountain side, from the Mt. Tokachi direction, is usually much smoother. My Biei and Furano guide has a one-day loop built around that back road.

Biei and Furano by Car: A Local's Route Around the Summer CrowdsA local's driving loop through Biei and Furano that avoids the summer traffic on Route 237, from Asahikawa or as a day trip from Sapporo: Farm Tomita, the Blue Pond, Tokachidake and the hills of Biei.

Near Shirahige Falls

Higher up the same road, the Mt. Tokachi viewpoint (Bogakudai) looks across the lava fields to the active volcano, with Mt. Biei and Mt. Biei-Fuji alongside. In the forest toward Biei, Cafe de la Paix serves raclette: cheese melted on a grill and poured over sausages, vegetables, potatoes and bread.

FAQ about Shirahige Falls

Q1. How tall is Shirahige Falls?

About 30 meters.

Q2. Is there parking at Shirahige Falls?

Yes, a free car park.

Q3. How far is Shirahige Falls from the Blue Pond?

About 2.5 kilometers, five minutes by car on the same road.

Q4. Is Shirahige Falls lit up at night?

Yes, every evening all year, from sunset to 21:00.