In my previous post, I explained how to reach Biei Station using the rail pass. Today, I’m going to share how to visit the stunning Shirahige Waterfall from Biei using the local bus service.
To be honest, traveling to Shirahige Waterfall by bus alone isn’t necessarily the method I’d highly recommend. Using just the bus makes it impossible to visit all the famous spots like the Seven Stars Tree, Ken and Mary’s Tree, and Ninguru Terrace in one trip.
In my case, I had already purchased the rail pass, so getting to Biei Station didn’t cost me any extra money. Plus, I had previously explored Biei’s attractions by rental car and wanted to revisit Shirahige Waterfall, which had left the deepest impression on me.
So, I’d recommend this method if you already have a rail pass you want to make the most of, or if tours and rental cars are a bit too expensive for your budget.
Getting to Shirahige Waterfall from Biei by Bus
Actually, getting from Biei to Shirahige Waterfall is pretty straightforward. You just need to take a bus from the station right in front of Biei Station.
You’ll want to take bus number 39. Important thing to note – this bus only runs 4 times a day on weekdays, so you really need to plan your schedule around the bus timetable. Also, keep in mind that weekday and weekend schedules differ.
My original plan was to have lunch in Biei first and then head to Shirahige Waterfall, but the restaurant I wanted to try (Junpei) had such a long wait that I decided to change my plans and visit the waterfall first.
I didn’t have enough time for a proper meal, but I did have some time for sightseeing. So I visited Shikisai no Oka (Four Seasons Observation Deck), the only tourist attraction at Biei Station, and then had a quick coffee at a café in front of the station while waiting for the bus.
How to Ride Buses in Japan
In Japan, the way you ride buses is different from Korea. You board from the back door and exit from the front. When boarding, take a ticket from the machine at the entrance. The ticket has a number on it, which you should check against the electronic board at the front of the bus. When getting off, pay the amount shown for your number at the front. I’m not entirely sure now, but I think Suica cards and other transport cards weren’t accepted, and only cash was possible. So make sure to bring cash with you!
The scenery of snow-covered Biei during the 30-minute bus ride was so beautiful that the time flew by. Shirahige Waterfall was actually the last stop on this route 39, but I kept checking my smartphone map to make sure I knew where to get off. Surprisingly, someone rushed to get off, making me think it was our destination, so I got off one stop early! That person must have realized their mistake because they stayed on the bus. So I had to walk to Shirahige Waterfall from there.
If I had gotten off at the correct stop, I would have had about 30 minutes until the return bus to Biei. But because of my mistake, I had less than 10 minutes to see the waterfall before rushing back to catch the bus.
Still, seeing Shirahige Waterfall again after so long was absolutely worth it. It was just as magnificent as I remembered.
Recommended Travel Route
I had to rush back after seeing Shirahige Waterfall, but honestly, if I had more time, I would’ve loved to spend more time around the area. If I visit again, here’s the route I’d like to take:
Recommended Route: Biei Station → Shirogane Blue Pond → Shirahige Waterfall → Shirogane Day-trip Onsen
If you take the 9:23 AM bus from Biei Station to Blue Pond and then catch the 1:06 PM bus back to Biei Station from Shirogane Onsen, you can create a nice 2+ hour trip.
On the way from Biei Station to Shirahige Waterfall, there’s another famous attraction called the Blue Pond. It’s only two bus stops apart, but it takes about 30-40 minutes to walk between them. It’s not exactly close, but if you have time, it’s a walkable distance. However, in winter when snow piles up and cars pass by frequently, I wouldn’t recommend walking as it could be dangerous. Also, the pond freezes over in winter, which is a bit disappointing.
After visiting Blue Pond and walking to Shirahige Waterfall, the next thing to do would be to enjoy a day trip to the Shirogane Onsen. The bus stop near Shirahige Waterfall is actually called Shirogane Onsen, as it’s an onsen (hot spring) area with ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) that offer hot spring facilities. You can enjoy a day trip to one of these onsens while waiting for the next bus back to Biei. I recommend the nearby Yumoto Onsen. It costs 864 yen for adults, with an additional 324 yen if you rent a towel. By the way, you can also stay overnight here if you have time.
That’s my guide on how to get from Biei Station to Shirahige Waterfall. While most people visit Biei through tour buses, I wanted to share this information for independent travelers like myself. I hope this helps anyone planning to visit Shirahige Waterfall the way I did!
