Kaminoko-ike Pond, Hokkaido

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Crystal clear cobalt blue water

“Kaminoko-ike Pond” (Pond of God’s Child) in Kiyosato-cho, Shari-gun, east of Hokkaido changes the type of “blue” according to the season. It is a small waterside with strange beauty and tourists increasing rapidly in recent years.
More than 60,000 people from all over the country visit “Kaminoko-ike Pond” every year. This pond is located in the mountains of Kiyosato cho, a neighboring town in Shari Town with Shiretoko of World Heritage in the eastern part of Hokkaido. It is characterized by cobalt blue which can clarify clear water so that the fallen trees sinking to the bottom are clearly visible.
In the background to be called “Kaminoko-ike Pond” (Pond of God’s Child) there is a legend that it is made up of underwater of Lake Mashu (meaning of the lake of God in Ainu language). “Kaminoko-ike Pond” has a mysterious atmosphere as the word “Names and natures do often agree”.

In “Kaminoko-ike Pond”, as many as 12,000 tons of water spring up in the day, the color of the pond changes depending on the strength of the sunlight. When sunlight is strong from spring to autumn, it shines in cobalt blue. And when sunlight in winter is weak it looks indigo. Kaminoko-ike Pond may be regarded as a natural art piece created by nature. Because the area around the pond is as small as 220 meters and 5 meters deep, it is possible to easily circle around. Also, because the water temperature is as low as 8 degrees Celsius throughout the year, the fallen trees are sinking like fossils without decaying even in the water. The sight is further enhancing the mystery.
The season when Kaminoko-ike Pond becomes the most pale is lush early summer. However, the landscape of the lake autumn pond where all the surrounding leaves have fallen is also beautiful. It is a kind of awe-inspiring beauty, similar to feeling from Lake Shumarinai, an artificial lake located north of Hokkaido.

Charms and Highlights of Kaminoko-ike Pond

Groundwater filled with blue spring water

The Kaminoko-ike Pond is the pond in the forest near Lake Mashu at the southern part in Kiyosato-cho in the east in Hokkaido.
Lake Mashu is called “the Lake of God” in the Ainu language. It’s called "Kaminoko-ike" (the pond of the child of God) because it’s a pond made from the subsoil water of Lake Mashu.
It is the pond which was made with groundwater and which is filled with blue spring water.

Subsoil water is gushed around Lake Mashu

Lake Mashu’s differing from other lakes is that there is neither a river which flows into a lake, nor a river which flows out of a lake. However, although much melted snow flows into Lake Mashu in spring, the water level does not change. This is because subsoil water is gushed around Lake Mashu.

Visible clearly to the bottom

It is said that no less than 12,000 tons subsoil water is gushing and carrying out around Kaminoko-ike Pond every day. That’s a small pond of 220 meters in length of the circumference and 5 meters in depth. Since water is clear, it is visible clearly to the bottom.

The fallen trees sinks in blue water like a fossil

The water temperature is low at 8 ℃ through the year. The fallen trees sinks in blue water like a fossil, without decaying.
The scene which Oshorokoma (Salvelinus malma) with a vermilion spot is swimming in it is beautiful beyond description.

A bear does not haunt fundamentally the place in which people are

And this is the heartbreakingly signboard of “Beware of bears.” Since it is a primeval forest, so you can encounter a bear.
A bear does not haunt fundamentally the place in which people are. It is recommended you to come not at early morning or twilight when there are no sign of life but daytime.

Information(Access, Price/Charge, Tel, Address, Official site, etc.)

Name:	Kaminoko-ike Pond
Address:	Kiyoizumi Sharigun Kiyosatocho, Hokkaido 099-4526 Japan
Access:	90 minutes from the Memanbetsu Airport by car
Tel:	(+81) 152-25-4111 (Kiyosato Town Office)
Price:	Free
Official site:	https://www.kiyosatokankou.com