Biei’s Blue Pond and Birke Forest have begun a lighting season scheduled to run from October 22, 2026, through April 21, 2027, according to the Biei Tourism Association’s October 21 notice. Both sites are in the Shirogane area of the Hokkaido town.
In October and November, the lights operate from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Start times change in later months: December begins at 4:30 p.m., while April begins at 6:30 p.m.; the closing time remains 9 p.m. The Blue Pond’s lighting programme changes after the water freezes and snow accumulates.
Nearby Shirahige Falls has year-round lighting from sunset until 9 p.m. The association directs drivers to different parking areas for the three sites; at the Blue Pond, ordinary-car parking costs 1,000 yen.
Local perspective
For travellers, the useful distinction is between a shared evening outing and identical viewing conditions. The two seasonal displays have matching hours, but the Blue Pond’s programme changes with ice and snow, and the falls start at sunset. An itinerary should therefore follow the month and conditions rather than promise one fixed scene. This is a planning interpretation of the published schedule, not a forecast of visitor growth.
美瑛・青い池のライトアップが開始 季節で変わる点灯時刻に注意
美瑛町観光協会は10月21日、青い池とビルケの森で10月22日から2027年4月21日までライトアップを行うと案内した。10・11月は17～21時で、開始時刻は季節により変わる。青い池は凍結・積雪後に演出を変更する。白ひげの滝は通年、日没から21時まで点灯。青い池の普通車駐車料金は1,000円。
独自考察
旅行計画では、同じ夜に訪れることと、いつも同じ景観が見られることを分けて考えたい。季節限定の2会場は点灯時間が共通する一方、青い池の演出は凍結・積雪で変わり、滝は日没から始まる。月と現地条件に合わせて予定を組むことが実用的だ。これは公表日程からの編集上の読み取りで、来訪者増加の予測ではない。