Tokachidake lowered to volcano alert level 2 (16 Oct 2026): Biei's Blue Pond and Furano are outside the 1.5 km crater zone

This week's news · Checked 2026-09-29

Short answer. Yes, you can visit Biei's Blue Pond and Furano. Tokachidake was lowered from alert level 3 to level 2 (crater-area restriction) at 10:00 on 16 October 2026, and JMA's bulletin of 30 October 2026, 16:00 says level 2 continues, with large volcanic rocks possible within about 1.5 km of the 62-2 crater. Biei Town says the restriction covers only the crater area, not Shirogane (where the Blue Pond is) or residential areas, and Shirogane Onsen is operating normally. Don't climb towards the crater. Checked 2 November 2026.

Checked 2 November 2026: alert level 2, the 1.5 km zone and the 30 October bulletin (JMA); the crater-only restriction and Shirogane Onsen (Biei Town); Blue Pond parking hours (Biei Tourism Association). The road closure below is from Biei Town's page of 25 September 2026 and was not on the town's page on 2 November.

What happened. Tokachidake, the volcano above Biei and Furano in central Hokkaido, was raised from level 2 to level 3 (no entry to the mountain) at 09:30 on 12 September 2026 (Biei Town). On 16 October 2026 at 10:00 the Japan Meteorological Agency lowered it back to level 2 (crater-area restriction). JMA's latest bulletin (30 October 2026, 16:00) says level 2 continues; sulphur dioxide emissions have been higher since April, and earthquakes near the 62-2 crater are at times more active. Keep out of about 1.5 km from the 62-2 crater (at level 3 the warning zone was about 3 km).

What is and isn't restricted. Biei Town says the restriction applies only around the crater, not to the Shirogane area or residential areas, and that the Shirogane Onsen area is operating normally (Biei Town page, checked 2 November 2026). The Shirogane Blue Pond is in Biei-cho Shirogane and is open all year; from November to April its car park is open 08:00–21:30 (Biei Tourism Association, checked 2 November 2026). The association's page also links to an important notice about access to the Blue Pond car park, so read it before you drive there. On 25 September Biei Town listed prefectural road 966 as closed between the Tokachidake Bogakudai gate and Tokachidake Onsen; the town's page on 2 November does not mention the road, so check road status on the day.

What it means for you.

• Sapporo → Biei → Furano day trip: no reason to cancel. The Blue Pond is in Shirogane, which the town says is not restricted. Don't climb Tokachidake, and stay out of the 1.5 km zone around the crater.
• On the morning of your trip, check JMA's alert level for Tokachidake (level 2 means the area around the crater is restricted; level 3 would close the mountain again). Tour operators may change routes, so read your tour's notice.
• Staying in Sapporo for a day trip: see Sapporo hotels for Muslim families (a 24-hour prayer room, December prices), or check Sapporo hotels for 2 adults + 2 kids on Trip.com (filter "free cancellation"). Halal food on the way back: halal food in Sapporo.

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Sources

Before you fly: Map of 231 halal places & prayer rooms (US$6.99) — December Edition, 15 Nov.