Located about 30 minutes from the center of Biei, Shirogane Onsen is a hidden gem in the mountains. I had the pleasure of staying at the Biei Forest Ryokan, known for its excellent cuisine. I opted for the "Exquisite Holiday - Detached Open-Air Bath Room 'Dosanzen' Plan" and enjoyed dishes made with local Biei ingredients such as corn, rice, and soba. The meal also featured seafood from Utro and Haboro, as well as roast beef made with Hokkaido beef. Each dish was a delight to the senses, with creative presentation and flavors. The breakfast menu also included locally sourced ingredients. The staff's hospitality and the ambiance of the facility were top-notch. I highly recommend this ryokan for anyone visiting Biei. Thank you for the wonderful experience!

I was looking for a hot spring inn near Furano for my Hokkaido trip and came across this inn that caught my attention. My expectations were high, and I was not disappointed! The inn was beautifully designed with lots of wood, making it feel nice to walk around barefoot. The hot spring had a good quality water. The food was visually appealing and delicious. The main dish, roast beef, was moist and very tasty! The seared scallops were thick and delicious. I tried the shochu made with bamboo leaves and kelp, and the kelp one had a unique kelp aroma which was interesting (lol). The only downside was that, maybe due to COVID measures, we were asked to finish our meal in an hour and a half. As someone who enjoys eating leisurely, it felt a bit rushed... However, the meal was delicious enough, and we didn't feel rushed, so I was very satisfied (*´༥`*)♡

Today is rainy, and quite heavy rain at that. This makes White Platinum Onsen in Biei a great choice! The reason being that there is a high chance of fewer visitors. Tourists are often obligated to visit regardless of the weather due to tours or itineraries. However, local visitors who decide to come on a whim are likely to be fewer in this rain. Additionally, tourists wouldn't typically visit a hot spring in the morning. This is my reasoning. So, I decided to visit the Mori no Ryotei Biei, a day-trip bath I've been eyeing for a while! This inn, opened in 2010, seems to be the newest in White Platinum Onsen. It is managed by the "Ryotei Resort Co., Ltd." based in Sapporo. Besides Biei in Hokkaido, they also operate a resort called "Umi no Ryotei Okinawa Nakagusuku-so" in Onna-son, Okinawa. When I was in Hokkaido before, they didn't accept day-trip baths, but now they do. Although it's my first time here, the luxury feel is spot on. Aside from one other guest, I was the only one there, giving a private and exclusive vibe. Now, onto the main attraction, the hot spring. The large indoor bath features a natural spring of sodium, calcium, and magnesium sulfate. When I scooped up the water to smell it, I could confirm the unique scent of calcium and magnesium within the chloride. This is it, just what I love. A rainy day at the hot spring is wonderful. The vibrant green of wet trees and rain-filled deep greenery is stunning. The contrast between the vivid green of life and the brownish source spring is irresistible. I soaked for a relaxing two hours, and when I was drying off in the dressing room, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could enjoy Biei Jersey milk. So, after getting out of the hot spring, I ordered it at the main building's bar counter. It's a shame it wasn't in a bottle, but having the milk in a glass was still delightful. Biei Jersey milk's rich creaminess and smooth sweetness are fantastic. It's delicious. However, at 300 yen, it's quite expensive. Day-trip bath (1,000 yen per person) Biei-produced Jersey milk (300 yen) In total, I spent 1,300 yen for a fulfilling day trip.

I tried three cocktails inspired by tourist spots in Biei: Blue Pond, Shirahige Waterfall, and Biei Hills. Blue Pond is based on lychee liqueur, Shirahige Waterfall is based on Japanese sake, and Biei Hills is a non-alcoholic option. They are all sparkling, refreshing, and easy to drink, and I enjoyed them all.

I stayed for one night. The facility is very clean. The dinner was a stylish course meal. The appearance and taste of the dishes were high-level. I visited around my birthday, and there was a "Happy Birthday" paper set on the table, which was a nice touch.

Located near the "Blue Pond" in Biei, the Shirakaba Onsen offers a secluded atmosphere perfect for relaxing in the open-air baths before enjoying a delightful dinner and breakfast. Today's menu includes: - Appetizer: Sea urchin and lily root jelly with spring onion - First Course: Simmered shrimp, deep-fried beef, marinated firefly squid, and smoked salmon - Soup: Scallop clear soup with daikon, pumpkin, and wheat gluten - Sashimi: Tuna, sea bass, and flathead fish with wasabi and soy sauce - Simmered Dish: Simmered mackerel with sesame wheat gluten and cherry blossom leaf - Grilled Dish: Grilled Biei Wagyu beef and Inca no mezame with spring onion - Side Dish: Vinegared dish of white angelica and north scallop with greens and fried taro - Main Dish: Steamed abalone and bamboo shoots with kudzu sauce, served with kelp and burdock tempura - Seasonal Dish: Fried trout and herring with broccoli, lemon, and salt - Rice Dish: Black soybean mixed rice with tender beef, local rice cakes, red miso soup, and pickles - Dessert: Simmered beans and water yokan with black honey The restaurant uses local ingredients throughout the menu.

A ryokan located in Biei Shirogane Onsen area. I stayed here for one night in winter. As soon as you step into the ryokan, you can smell the fresh scent of new wood. The staff were always attentive and the hospitality was excellent. The dinner was a course meal served in the dining area. The red plum sweet and sour stewed dish in the appetizer assortment was the most delicious! It was soft, sweet, and felt like a dessert. I wish they would sell it. The other dishes were a bit oily, which I didn't enjoy as I'm not a fan of oily food. If you value atmosphere and great service, I recommend this place! -----Menu for the day----- Hokkaido course meal - Blowfish stew - Assorted appetizers (Chicken pine needle-style grilled, Hiyama wasabi soy sauce pickles, Boiled small fish and greens, Red plum sweet and sour stewed dish) - Smoked salmon sushi - Flounder clear soup - Sashimi (Tuna, Striped jack, Sea bream) - Conger eel steamed with miso, Taro, Wasabi - Biei Wagyu beef and Inca no mezame teriyaki, White dandelion and seafood vinegar dish, Steamed abalone and bamboo shoots with kudzu sauce, Burdock tempura, Char and mackerel deep-fried - Black soybean mixed rice, Simmered beans and water yokan with black syrup 【Opening hours】5:30 PM - 9:00 PM 【Closed】No regular holidays 【Reservation】Required 【Budget】From 20,000 yen per night with 2 meals 【Address】10522-1 Shirogane, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido

The evening kaiseki meal was delicious with dishes like yuba, various appetizers, Furano beef, amberjack sashimi, and simmered black soybeans. However, the grilled fish called "ginpou" was a rare deep-sea fish known as mudfish, which had a strange texture with a hint of bitterness and unpleasant odor. The dish of shirako (milt) with miso was well-prepared but I left half of it due to personal preference. The breakfast included dishes like Jersey cow milk from Biei, which was pricey but incredibly tasty. Other dishes like grilled fish, sesame tofu, tamagoyaki, and tororo kombu miso soup were also very delicious. The hot spring water was rich in sulfur and felt effective.

There is a sister hotel in Okinawa. I learned about this inn when I stayed at a traditional Japanese inn in Okinawa during my trip. The staff there were from Hokkaido, and they were talking about this Shirakawa Onsen inn, so I decided to come here. There are a total of 17 rooms, all in pure Japanese style with a beautiful garden. The rooms come with a bath, and although there is some aging, the scent of hinoki wood and the flowing hot spring water are soothing. The open-air bath has a sense of openness. For dinner, I ordered a bottle of red wine. The dishes were more focused on flavor rather than extravagance, and each dish had a strong umami flavor that was impressive. The breakfast offers a choice of rice porridge or white rice. The homemade tofu hot pot and traditional Japanese breakfast were delicious. I usually only come to the Shirakawa Onsen area for day trips, but I found a good inn here, so I would like to stay here again.

A small hot spring inn with 17 rooms located in Shirogane Onsen in Biei, Hokkaido. Biei and Furano have many hotels and pensions, but few hot springs. This is one of the few authentic hot springs in the area. The entrance hall, dining area, large communal bath, and 3 guest room buildings are connected by corridors. There are also 5 separate rooms. You can feel a cozy comfort that you can't experience in large hotels. I stayed in one of the separate rooms this time. The room is about 10 tatami mats in size, not very spacious, but it comes with a semi-outdoor bath. The nostalgic cypress bath is a flowing hot spring. The hot spring has long been known as "Jouwasure no Yu" and is said to be highly effective for neuralgia and arteriosclerosis. The communal bath has an indoor bath with a flowing hot spring, a bath of just the right temperature, a hot bath, and an outdoor bath. Dinner consists of 11 courses. Although there are many dishes, few left a lasting impression. The menu included: - Appetizer: Green soybean tofu and grilled scallop miso - Appetizers: 5 dishes including pickled mackerel and eel sushi - Soup: Clear soup with conger eel - Sashimi: Tuna from Amami Oshima, Kanpachi from Ehime, etc. - Simmered dish: Steamed flounder with Kyoto-style miso - Grilled dish: Biei Wagyu beef and grilled rice eggplant with sake lees - Side dish: Jellied vinegar pickles of snow crab and corn - Strong dish: Steamed abalone and grilled summer vegetables - Seasonal dish: Flavored fried Atka mackerel from Nemuro - Meal: Black soybean mixed rice, red miso soup, pickles - Dessert: Water yokan, sherbet, jelly-covered boiled beans This inn has rules such as finishing dinner in 1.5 hours and not talking loudly while eating. It was a bit tough to finish 11 courses in 1.5 hours. The next dish would arrive before finishing the previous one, and it felt rushed. Also, despite the rule of eating quietly, the staff did not address the loud family of 4 at the next table. In the end, dinner ended in 1 hour and 15 minutes. I have stayed at inns all over Japan during the pandemic, but this was the only inn with a time limit. It was disappointing considering the quality of the hot spring.

Biei is a popular inn where visitors can enjoy authentic hot springs in an area with few options. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Tokachi Mountain Range, each room at "Biei" is designed to offer views of Hokkaido's unique nature, such as birch trees and Ezomatsu. The rooms are cozy and quiet, with a cottage-style layout that allows for a peaceful stay. I stayed in the room called "Enju," which is located in a separate building at the back. This room, like four others in the separate building and some rooms in the main building, comes with a private outdoor bath, perfect for those who want to relax in the bath. The roofed hinoki bath adds a touch of charm. However, the room felt small for three people, with limited space for belongings and a cramped washroom. The room also lacked adequate lighting at night. Despite the room's shortcomings, the service at "Biei" was good, with attentive staff members. However, the meal service left something to be desired, with a rushed dining experience and a time limit of one and a half hours for dinner. The eleven-course meal was served quickly, without allowing guests to fully enjoy each dish. The quality of the food was decent, with highlights being the Biei wagyu teriyaki and sashimi. Overall, "Biei" fell short in terms of room size, meal service, and value for money. In a time where many establishments are adapting to provide a normal service experience during the pandemic, "Biei" failed to meet expectations.

Plan name: Ultimate holiday getaway with open-air hot spring room "Dosanzen" Breakfast: The breakfast felt like everything you could want in the morning, served in a full-course style. The milk, a drink option, was unbelievably rich and sweet, perfect for milk lovers like myself. The natto made with black Chitose soybeans was unusual but delicious. The yudofu with three types of tofu was gentle on the morning stomach and very satisfying. Dinner: The simmered Ezo abalone was incredibly tender, with the flavor of the abalone itself coming through. The sauce was a bit on the rich side, but very tasty. The grilled Tokachi beef wrapped in magnolia leaf was juicy, with sweet and rich fat that didn't feel heavy on the stomach. It was my favorite dish. Above all, the staff at this inn provided exceptional, heartfelt service that made us feel safe and comfortable. It was a truly pleasant experience, with plenty of care and thoughtfulness evident.

I had the Hokkaido course at Mori no Ryotei Biei. The course included a variety of dishes such as appetizers, sashimi, simmered dishes, grilled dishes, and seasonal specialties. It was a slightly luxurious meal using local ingredients. The numerous courses allowed me to enjoy a little bit of each, giving a sense of satisfaction. However, I found the appetizer and the intermediate dish with a tangy jelly to be a bit too similar in flavor, which was disappointing. The use of various mushrooms in the dishes, fitting for the season, was a delight for mushroom lovers like myself. The simmered dish of soft-boiled Ezo abalone and rice eggplant was well seasoned, with the abalone being very tender and the rice eggplant having a delightful texture. The grilled dish of Furano Wagyu beef wrapped in magnolia leaves was delicious, with the miso-marinated tender meat and the interesting texture of ginkgo nuts. Overall, the dishes were well-seasoned and enjoyable, suitable even for younger diners. The visually appealing and generous portions made for a satisfying meal. It was a pleasure to have such a high-quality meal at a hot spring inn. Thank you for the delicious food.

I stayed here while sightseeing in Biei. Since Furano and Biei are tourist spots, I honestly didn't have high expectations. I chose this place because it had hot springs, a sauna, a cold water bath, and rooms with open-air baths. They also offer day trips for bathing, but I liked that they scheduled it at different times from the overnight guests. The check-in process was very pleasant, and the service was quite good. When I was shown to my room, I noticed that it had a slightly old-fashioned feel, but I headed straight for the hot springs. The large communal bath also had a sauna and cold water bath, which was small but had refreshing cold water flowing in. Dinner started at 7:00 pm as requested. I was led to a semi-private room at the back and the meal began. The food had a typical hot spring inn feel to it. The staff were very attentive, asking if the pace of serving the food was okay. Considering the price, I think the food was quite good. I had been having a lot of Western food lately, so I was relieved to have a traditional Japanese meal. I really enjoyed the sauna and spent a lot of time in the communal bath.

Main building room with open-air bath, Hokkaido course dinner, grilled scallop and green bean sesame salad, crystal-cooked edamame with kombu pickles, pickled herring, asparagus bacon roll, smoked salmon, duck sushi, steamed trout, deluxe version of salmon tea pickles, Hokkaido flatfish, Amami tuna, Tomakomai North scallop, the best was the Tomakomai North scallop, the tuna had a lingering sinewy texture, the Biei Wagyu teriyaki was tender with a sweet fatty taste, the cod crab and long yam vinegar jelly, the tenderly cooked Ezo abalone, the Kushibe cheek meat tempura, the black soybean mixed rice with red miso soup, the Biei Jersey milk pudding and black sesame sherbet, the sesame pudding was rich and delicious. Breakfast (rating 3.3) Salmon at breakfast is often thin and tough, disappointing compared to supermarket salmon. The tofu hot pot was delicious. The hot spring had a medium turbidity and a slight iron smell, with moderate heat retention. There were many crystal-like substances on the bottom of the bath, which could be a reaction between the hot spring minerals and the tub material. The main building room with an outdoor bath on the balcony had a clean, Western-style design. The room had no major flaws and was satisfying. A well-rounded experience for mind, skill, and body.

Chappytsum family indulges in a luxurious trip to a hot spring on their wedding anniversary. Last year, they had just welcomed their son, so they postponed the trip, but it is an annual tradition for them. This year, they stayed at "Biei Mori no Ryotei" in Shirogane Onsen, Biei. The location is about a 30-minute drive from the town of Biei, at the foot of Tokachi-dake. The hot spring is known for its healing properties, such as relieving neuralgia, arteriosclerosis, skin diseases, and constipation. The room they stayed in had an outdoor bath, providing a beautiful view of the surrounding trees. The hot spring water had a unique scent and was very relaxing. The dinner served at the ryokan was delicious, with various dishes including blowfish liver and scallop ponzu, cod parent and child salad, clam soup, sashimi, simmered cod roe and daikon with yuzu miso, grilled Hokkaido beef, and more. Each dish was carefully prepared and flavorful.

Let's spend New Year's Eve with the "agezen" and "agazen" style dining! The food is delicious, the service is great, the place is clean, and you can relax in the natural hot springs...♪*ﾟ No matter which hotel you stay at, experiencing the heartfelt hospitality like that of "Biei" is rare, right? I haven't been to many places, but based on my experience, last year's New Year's Eve stay was so wonderful that I decided to visit again this year...♪*ﾟ The use of the hotel outside of the New Year's holiday is also excellent. Due to the location, staying overnight is the limit for my clingy companion, so...(o´艸`) The food is delicious, each dish seems carefully prepared with thoughtfulness and carefully selected ingredients...♡ The dashi (soup stock) is so tasty, I really like it (*ˊ˘ˋ*)♪ The warmth of the landlady and the staff is remarkable, and I'm sure everyone who stays here will be satisfied...♪*ﾟ It's no wonder there are many repeat customers. I will share a selection of photos, so if you're interested, take a look♬ It was really great, and the food was delicious♬ Thank you for taking care of us~(*˘︶˘*).｡.:*♡

Second dinner edition Kids plate has a satisfying taste even for adults I usually don't like shrimp fry, but it was delicious Appetizer - Raw scallop simmered, pickled ginger, wood sorrel Appetizer - Smoked salmon small sleeve sushi, sweet shrimp flavored fried dish, sea bream jelly octopus soft simmered, sea squirt salted soup - Pike conger steamed in a pot, matsutake mushrooms, chicken, trefoil, vinegar citrus sashimi - Nagasaki prefecture rockfish, Amami Oshima tuna, Fukuoka prefecture flathead simmered dish - Steamed turnips with conger and wheat gluten, red leaf carrots, wasabi grilled dish - Biei Wagyu teriyaki, Inca's awakening, white leek well cooked Main dish - Taraba crab and pumpkin kudzu, fried taro, western wasabi, chopped green onions interesting but maybe the pumpkin was too strong Side dish - Soft-boiled Ezo abalone, abalone liver sauce, daikon, green onions Seasonal dish - Rausu yellowtail, maitake mushrooms, bell pepper tempura, rice plant Meal - Black soybean mixed rice, red miso soup, pickles Dessert - Jersey cow milk pudding, chestnut beer (classic) bottle Ebisu beer It seems like they were impressed by the meat and abalone in the previous review. There wasn't as much impact as the first time, but it was still delicious.

2nd stay, breakfast: - Udo no hana (edible flower) in broth - Hijiki seaweed salad - Grilled cod roe - Grilled salmon - Eggplant in broth - Black soybean natto - Salad - White rice - Miso soup - Assorted pickles - Three kinds of tofu in hot spring water The tofu and broth were delicious. The milk from Biei Jersey cows was exquisite! The yogurt was also good. The soy blend coffee was great. I was very satisfied! Shirogane Onsen has a similar hot spring quality across all facilities, so unless you're a connoisseur, you'll likely choose based on price, room, and food. It's a wonderful hot spring area with non-recycled, non-chlorinated water. I think it's like a famous hot spring area in Japan like Oo Onsen or Kurokawa Onsen.

Happy New Year! It seems that this is the 500th review, and I'm not sure what exactly is being counted - the number of reviews, visited restaurants, or something else. I'll keep writing freely and sharing my biased opinions until I reach a memorable 500th review. Today, I want to introduce "Mori no Ryotei Biei," a wonderful inn that I've visited multiple times. The first time I went with my classmates, and despite my initial reluctance due to the price, I was amazed by the beauty and charm of the place. On my last visit, I stayed in a detached room and created unforgettable memories. This time, I treated my mother and daughter to a New Year's Eve stay to make up for my usual neglect. From the moment we entered the parking lot, the heartfelt hospitality of Biei-san began. The lovely landlady and staff warmly welcomed us with genuine care and attention. Their personalized service, thoughtfulness, and flexibility make this inn truly special. The staff's warmth and genuine hospitality reflect the personality of the landlady, making guests feel comfortable and valued. I believe that Biei-san's 10th anniversary this year will be a testament to their unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and relaxation. This inn is truly one-of-a-kind in the area, and I'm sure it will continue to thrive for years to come. (This is only half of the photos, believe it or not!)

The dishes were elegant, showcasing the umami of dashi and ingredients. Some dishes were a bit on the salty side. The desserts were a bit disappointing compared to the main dishes.