Hokkaido’s Famous Blue Pond to Triple Parking Fees as Tourism Grows
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Higher Fees Starting in July
Visitors planning a trip to Hokkaido’s famous Blue Pond (Aoi Ike) should budget a little extra this summer. Beginning in July, the town of Biei will significantly increase parking fees at one of its most popular attractions, with some vehicles facing charges up to three times higher than before.
The fee increase marks the first revision since paid parking was introduced in 2020, with local officials saying the additional revenue will help improve facilities and infrastructure for the growing number of tourists.
New Parking Rates
Under the new pricing system, motorcycles will cost 300 yen instead of 100 yen, while standard passenger cars will pay 1,000 yen, double the previous 500-yen fee. Large vehicles such as tour buses will see the biggest increase, rising from 2,000 yen to 6,000 yen.
Residents and local businesses in Biei will continue to be exempt from the parking charges.
Addressing Overtourism in Hokkaido
The Blue Pond has become one of Hokkaido’s most photographed destinations, attracting large numbers of domestic and international visitors throughout the year. The town plans to use the additional parking revenue to improve visitor facilities and better accommodate increasing tourism.
Biei has also been exploring additional measures to address overtourism. In 2025, the town assembly approved an ordinance that would add a tax to parking fees. However, the proposal is still under review by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, which has questioned aspects of the plan, including the exemption for local residents. As a result, there is currently no confirmed timetable for introducing the additional tax.
With visitor numbers continuing to grow, the parking fee increase is the first step in Biei’s broader effort to balance tourism with the long-term preservation of one of Hokkaido’s most iconic natural attractions.
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