Shirogane Aoiike (the blue pond of Shirogane), Hokkaido

Mysterious spot

“Aoiike” (the blue pond) near Shirogane hot spring in Furano Biei town, Hokkaido. It is a popular tourist spot where you get captivated by the mysterious sight that is woven by nature, with a pale water surface and a dead white birch forest. Although there is a parking lot on site, in the surroundings it is in the middle of nature, not even a store or restaurant, even a public toilet.
Why does the water surface look pale? Although the reason why it looks pale is not clarified, it is said that there is a reason in the vicinity of “Shirahige-no-taki falls” located 5 minutes by car from “Aoiike”. For a long time, the existence of this place was not well known. However, in the 2000s spread among photographers’ reviews, and in the 2010s the information began to be conveyed to the general public. In addition to the spread of information in SNS in recent years, it was adopted as the wallpaper of Mac, it became a super famous sightseeing spot at a stroke at once.

The pond changes in various ways

By the waterfall of the Shirohige-no-taki in the upper reaches and Biei River containing aluminum are mixed, then the particle called “a colloid” is generated, and light from the sun hits it, the surface of the water seems to be seen blue. The appearance of surface of this pond changes in various ways as deep blue, transparent like a mirror, milky, various figures including the fantastic atmosphere covered with snow by a season and a timing. Basically it’s blue, but its color changes into by a season and the trick of the light.

Wall paper of Mac

Even Apple Computer adopted this pond’s photo in one of the wall paper of Mac, and it gets public attention.

Feel yourself being sucked

The blue pond which the power of nature produced, its appearance is greatly changes by a season, the degree of light and wind. It is said that it is difficult to see the charm you visit here only once, there is a person who can’t meet the clear cobalt blue even if he keeps going here for 20 years. One thing I can say is that you can experience the mystery that makes you feel yourself being sucked when you stand in the place.

Today, during consecutive holidays, summer vacation, and so on, heavy congestion of cars get into the parking lot during the day. When you visit, early time zones are recommended in the morning. “Aoiike” changes the color slightly depending on the viewing angle, the season, and the weather. What color would you look like when you visit?

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