Hokkaido’s Shirahige Waterfall is Unreal (And Here’s How to See It In Person)

Last Updated on May 29, 2026 by Charlotte

Shirahige Waterfall is located just thirty minutes outside of the pastoral town of Biei in Central Hokkaido, and it has the most unreal shade of electric-blue water beautifully contrasted by the white of freshly fallen snow. I’d seen a photo of this waterfall online, and yes, I planned an entire trip around seeing it in real life! I am happy to report back that Shirahige Waterfall was even more magical in person than I ever could have imagined.

In this blog post, I’ll share everything you need to know to plan your own visit to the Shirahige Waterfall, including tips on how to get there, the best timing to avoid the crowds, and how this marvel of nature came to be.

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Our Visit to Hokkaido’s Frozen Shirahige Waterfall in Winter

It was a glorious bluebird day in mid-February, and the air temperature was below freezing, and we had the Shirahige Waterfall almost all to ourselves.

As we walked out onto the Shirogane Blue River Bridge, clouds of steam wafted up from the waterfall, and the falls teased in and out of view.

Along the banks of the river, icy crystals coated the branches of the white birch trees, and puffs of snow rested on rocks in the river like marshmallowy mushroom caps. In the distance, a plume of smoke billowed from the summit of Mt. Tokachi, and I found myself wondering how a place this beautiful came to be.

Even in the freezing temperatures of winter, part of the Shirahige Waterfall is free-flowing, and part is frozen into wild-looking meter-long icicles that cling to the cliffside.

That’s because Shirahige is a rare type of waterfall called a subterranean stream that’s fed by volcanic groundwater emerging from cracks in ancient lava layers. This same volcanic geothermal system heats the hot springs in Shirogane Onsen (which I indulgently enjoyed soaking in at our ryokan throughout our stay).

That same volcanic history also explains the striking color of the Biei Blue River, which is all thanks to tiny volcanic minerals that scatter sunlight. And yes, the river really is that blue in real life!

If you have dreams of seeing Shirahige Waterfall and Biei Blue River, you should try to visit soon, because Mt. Tokachi is still an active volcano, and the next eruption could alter the chemistry that gives the river its blue color. So, take this as your sign to go now, while the river still runs this shade of electric blue.

Planning Your Visit to Shirahige Waterfall

Now that I’ve convinced you to add Shirahige Waterfall to your Hokkaido itinerary (you’re going, right?), here’s everything you need to know to plan your own visit.

How To Get To Shirahige Waterfall

While the Shirahige waterfall is advertised as being “in Biei,” I was surprised to find out that it is actually located a 30-minute drive away from JR Biei Station, in the town of Shirogane Onsen.

Nonetheless, in the winter, it is possible to visit the Shirahige Waterfall by car, public bus, or sightseeing bus.

By Car

If you’re hoping to visit Shirahige waterfall as a day trip, it is around an hour’s drive from Asahikawa, ~40 minutes drive from Furano, and around a three-hour drive from Sapporo. Biei is a tiny town, so you’ll find the best variety of rental cars in Asahikawa.

Once you arrive in Shirogane Onsen, there is free parking for Shirahige Waterfall at the Shirogane Onsen Public Parking Lot. This lot is right next to the Shirogane Visitor’s Center, and it’s also directly across the street from the Blue River Bridge.

Travel Buddy and I cannot drive in the snow since we come from a tropical island, so we relied on public transit (Dohoku Bus) and our Ryokan’s shuttle service to get around.

By Public Transit

If you plan to visit Shirahige Falls using public transit, you can take the Dohoku Bus, which operates hourly, from JR Biei Station to Shirogane Onsen, ten times per day. Be sure to check the official bus timetables from the Biei Tourism Association before you go, because we noticed that apps like Google Maps did not have all available buses listed online.

I also highly highly HIGHLY recommend stopping in at the Biei Tourism Office to double-check the most up-to-date Dohoku Bus schedules before you head to Shirogane Onsen, since it is nearly impossible to hail a taxi at the Shirahige Waterfall (and Shirogane Onsen is outside of the service range of GO, DiDi, and Uber).

By Sightseeing Bus

Alternatively, the Biei Tourism Office operates seasonal “Night Illumination” sightseeing bus tours that start and end at the Biei Tourism Office, which visit the Shirahige Waterfall at night. However, I personally thought that the view of the waterfall was prettier during the day.

The Best Time of Day to Visit the Waterfall

Because this waterfall is on almost every single Central Hokkaido Bus Tour, I recommend trying to go before 10:00 AM.

We visited around 8:00 AM in Winter, and there were very few people there. By 10:30 AM, the bridge (which is the main sightseeing spot) was already packed with day trippers spilling out of coach buses.

When the bridge is packed, it can be really hard to get a good photo, since you need to be able to see over the railings.

Shirahige Waterfall Winter Night Illumination

From early November through mid-April, the falls are lit each evening from sunset until about 21:00. The Shirahige Waterfall illumination is free, and you can walk down to the Blue River Bridge any time.

I personally thought that the waterfall looked much cooler during the day when the sun was out, because that’s when the river water lights up and looks super blue.

Facilities and Accessibility Near Shirahige Waterfall

Places to Eat

Shirogane Onsen is a small hot spring village, so there aren’t many places to eat near Shirahige Waterfall. Across from the waterfall, your main dining options are food trucks like Ichitoni for snacks, and Mr. Whitebeard for ice cream, or the restaurant Rindo Shokudo.

Some ryokans and hotels in the area also serve meals, but these are usually more useful if you’re staying overnight rather than just passing through. Our ryokan provided breakfast and dinner, but no lunch, so we’d brought a bag of konbini food (like onigiri, melon pan, etc.) with us from the 7-11 in Biei town.

If you’re visiting Shirahige Waterfall as a day trip, I’d suggest eating in Biei town before or after your visit, or packing snacks if you’re relying on buses.

Visitor’s Center

If you’re visiting in winter, the Shirogane Tourist Center across from Shirahige Waterfall is a handy place to warm up and unfreeze your fingers, use the toilets, connect to Wi-Fi, or ask for help with local sightseeing information. It’s usually open from 9 AM to 4 PM, though hours may vary around lunch breaks, New Year holidays, and bad weather.

Restrooms

While there are no toilets directly at the Shirahige Waterfall viewpoint on the bridge, visitors can use the toilets inside the Shirogane Visitor’s Center across the street.

Accessibility

In winter, the path from the visitor’s center and bus stop down to the bridge is packed with snow and ice, and there is a slight decline, which makes it tough for wheelchairs and strollers. However, the bridge itself is flat once you’re on it.

In summer, the surfaces around Shirahige Waterfall are easier (because there is no snow), but the immediate approach is still uneven in places. If accessibility is a priority, summer or shoulder season is the better call.

What to Wear to Shirahige Waterfall in Winter

Winter mornings in Shirogane Onsen can drop to -15 to -20°C (5 to -4°F), and on the day of our visit, the temperatures were below 0 degrees F, even though the sun was shining! I was freezing my buns off in my cute outfit!

Here is what I would pack for next time:

• Hand-warmers in your pockets.
• Ice spikes or grippy boots for the icy approach to the bridge.
• Insulated waterproof boots rated to at least -15°C.
• Warm jacket + base layer + fleece mid-layer
• Hat, neck gaiter, and gloves you can briefly remove for camera or phone
• Heat tech (the super warm kind)
• External power bank because your phone will die super fast in the cold

Where to Stay Near Shirahige Waterfall

Because the Shirahige Waterfall is located in an Onsen town outside of Biei in Hokkaido, visiting the Shirahige Waterfall is also a perfect excuse to have an onsen vacation! Here are some places to stay in Shirogane Onsen:

Because we didn’t have a car, we chose to stay in the surrounding town of Shirogane Onsen for three nights at Mori no Ryotei, a Luxury Ryokan where we had our own private in-room onsen (full ryokan review is coming soon!) Mori no Ryotei is only a 4-minute walk from the Shirahige Waterfall, which gave us plenty of opportunities to see the waterfall at different times of day.

Make It a Biei Day Trip

You only really need 15-30 minutes to visit Shirahige waterfall, so if you have more time to spend, there are a few other things to do nearby that you can’t miss:

• Aoiike Blue Pond: Only a 4-minute drive away, this pond is fed by the same blue spring water that feeds the waterfall.
• Snowshoeing in the Shirogane Forest: We loved this guided winter snowshoeing tour through the same white birch forest that surrounds the falls.
• Tokachidake Volcano Center: This is a small (and free) museum on the volcanic geology, located up the staircase across the bridge behind the falls. If you are a natural history nerd, you will love their exhibits.

I’ll be writing a full day trip itinerary that covers our incredible day visiting these spots, so keep checking back.

Ready to Plan Your Trip to Hokkaido?

If you’re going to Biei, be sure to check out my 1-Day Biei Patchwork Hills Itinerary that covers the famous trees of Biei, Takushinkan Gallery, and the most incredible cheese shop.