28 December 2017, Thursday.
We woke up a little late this morning. Packed our luggage and checked out. It was white Asahikawa outside our hotel.
Crossed the road to Aeon mall and train station.
A little shopping and we had early Sukiyaki lunch…
We love sukiyaki…. Oiishi !
More shopping before we collected our luggage from the hotel and waited for our shuttle at bus station.
1330 hrs… we were on Hotel shuttle to Yumoto Shirogane Hotel shuttle. Exit from Asahikawa bus terminal.
Looking out window…. city view fell behind us and we were embraced by the vast whiteness of country sides.
Drivers’ view….
Tough job for the driver….relax and warm ride for passengers like us.
The bus made a short detour to Biei JR station to pick up more hotel guest. I cannot imagine a major town like Biei having no clear road definition or walk path… I guessed I must come here to stay for few days to appreciate snowy lifestyle @ Biei.
Entering Forested area near Hotel.
Upon arrival, we quickly pop into our warm hotel room…
After settling down….we decided to make our way to Shirogane waterfall. A quick check… the temperature was -12 deg and sunset was at 1559 hrs.
On our way to Shirogane waterfall.
On the bridge overseeing Shirogane waterfall.
We enjoyed the color changed as Shirogane drift into darkness…
dusk….
darkness.
Our pictures at Shirogane fall.
Back to hotel…. it was dark and still outside. We could see quiet tree standing against heavy snow.
It was dinner time. We were seated in the western style dinning hall with appetizer served.
Sashimi starter.
This was quickly followed by the main course
enjoying the sumptuous dinner
and the ice cream desert…
After dinner, we hopped onto shuttle bus arranged by the hotel – a visit to Biei Blue Pond. Disembarked from the bus…. on a snowy walk path to blue pond…
Arriving at Blue Pond
Our first impression of blue pond.
The water had turned to ice and there ain’t any pond in winter.
The next two pictures reveal the secret of winter blue pond. The water had frozen and it may not be cobalt blue anymore. Yes… all colors were by light illumination.
While we may not see the blue pond, we enjoyed the wilderness of this expediture at -16 deg C. And the most wonderful sighting was snow glittered like diamond falling through the air…. under spot lights !
End of Day 8 : We started the morning with shopping and very tasty Sukiyaki. A long ride to Yumoto Shirogane Hotel where we had another taste of winter ride. After checked in, we were out to for the changing colors of Shirogane Fall as it drifted into darkness. After sumptuous dinner, we were shuttled to blue pond – where we enjoyed the freezing wilderness of blue pond and beautiful diamond glittered in the air.
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