Shirogane Aoiike (the blue pond of Shirogane), Hokkaido

The blue pond of Shirogane in Biei-cho, Hokkaido is a famous tourist attraction around Asahikawa alongside Lavender in Furano and Asahiyama Zoo. Adopted as an iPhone wallpaper, it is well known and popular all over the world, and congestion and traffic jams occur on weekends and holidays.
The reason for the blue color is due to the scattering of sunlight, so the difference in weather and time zone has a great influence and it may not be so blue. Be careful when visiting.
Blue pond is near Shirogane hot spring in Biei-cho, Hokkaido and is also called “Shirogane blue pond”. There is a theory that the best time to look blue is from mid-May to late June, but in fact there is no best season, and you can enjoy a superb view of the year and season.
The “blue pond” in Biei-cho is now known for its superb view that many people want to see once in a lifetime. Originally built to prevent volcanic mudflow disasters at Tokachidake, the Biei River that flowed into it was blocked and became like a current pond. Trees such as larch and birch that have been submerged have withered, creating an even more fantastic atmosphere.
The local landscape photographer liked to shoot and published it in a photo book, which made it known to many people. And the United States Apple Inc., by adopting one of the wallpaper of Macintosh OSX, popularity has expanded explosively, now tourists visiting from all over the world.
The wallpaper was a blue pond in winter. In winter and summer, what is common is the milky blue that is different from the blue of the sky and the blue of the sea, and is rarely seen in the natural world where milky white is mixed. Recently, it is also called Biei Blue.
A prerequisite for seeing a beautiful “blue pond” is the sun, or weather. Especially fatal immediately after heavy rains such as typhoons. When the water increases, the color becomes lighter, and it becomes invisible in vivid blue. Not only the weather of the day, but also the weather several days before that is important. Although there is no live camera, many tourists upload photos on SNS such as Instagram and Twitter, so you can check the situation in real time.
Although it is not well-known, the “blue pond” of autumn leaves is also a superb view. The typhoon season is over, especially in Hokkaido where there is no rainy season or autumn rain.
The reason why it looks blue is that colloids are generated by mixing fine particles such as aluminum hydroxide contained in the spring water with the Biei River, and the blue light is diffusely reflected by the sunlight entering there, but in fact, it has not been clearly understood yet. It may be said that it is a miracle landscape made up of various coincidences.

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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