A Detailed Guide to the History and Overview of Shirogane Blue Pond

 

　Table of Contents

1. Overview of Shirogane Blue Pond
2. History of Shirogane Blue Pond
3. Shirogane Blue Pond Through the Four Seasons
   

Introduction

Shirogane Blue Pond (Shirogane Aoi Ike) is a mystical tourist attraction located in the town of Biei, Hokkaido. As its name suggests, the pond features a stunning cobalt blue surface, and the landscape created by the standing dead trees is unforgettably beautiful.

This pond is a popular spot that attracts visitors from both Japan and abroad, and its charm lies in the different scenery it offers with each season. The fresh greenery of spring, the vivid blue shimmering under the strong summer sun, the autumn foliage, and the fantastical landscape covered in winter snow and ice — each visit brings new discoveries and emotions. In this article, we will introduce the overview, history, and seasonal charms of Shirogane Blue Pond in detail.

Overview of Shirogane Blue Pond

Shirogane Blue Pond (Shirogane Aoi Ike) is a natural tourist attraction located in the town of Biei, Hokkaido. The Blue Pond is an artificial lake formed by a dam that was built to prevent volcanic mudflows when Mount Tokachi erupted in 1988. The water appears blue because water containing aluminum that springs from Shirogane Onsen mixes with the river water of the Biei River, and the sunlight is reflected to create the blue color.

The greatest charm of the Blue Pond is the fantastical landscape created by its translucent cobalt blue surface and the standing dead trees. The existence of this pond spread through word of mouth, primarily among photographers, and it has now become a popular spot attracting numerous visitors from both Japan and abroad.

There is a walking trail of approximately 300 meters around the pond, and since the color and landscape of the pond change depending on the season and time of day, there are always new discoveries no matter how many times you visit. Particularly during early morning or late afternoon when the lighting conditions are ideal, you can capture even more beautiful photographs. One of the distinctive features is the standing dead trees in the pond, which were submerged and died after the pond was formed. Notably, the standing dead larch trees create a fantastical atmosphere in contrast with the blue water surface.

Access is approximately 20 minutes by bus from JR Biei Station, and it is also accessible by car, with a spacious parking lot available. Additionally, illumination events are held during winter, allowing visitors to enjoy the fantastical nighttime scenery.

2. History of Shirogane Blue Pond

The history of the Blue Pond begins with the eruption of Mount Tokachi, and through many eras it has been preserved, maintaining its beauty and cultural value to this day. The details are explained below.

■ The Eruption of Mount Tokachi and the Birth of the Pond

Following the 1988 eruption of Mount Tokachi, a concrete dam was constructed to prevent mudflow damage. This dam blocked the water of the Biei River, and coincidentally formed what is now known as Shirogane Blue Pond. Originally, a riverbed spread across this area, and the pond that was created by the dam gradually began to appear blue due to the water flowing in from the surrounding Biei River and hot springs.

■ Worldwide Attention

In July 2012, Apple Inc. adopted a photograph of Shirogane Blue Pond as a wallpaper for its OS X Mountain Lion release. This wallpaper was selected as one of the 15 official wallpapers for OS X Mountain Lion, and the beautiful blue landscape caught the eyes of Mac users around the world. This wallpaper was also adopted for iOS 7 and iOS 8, further spreading awareness of Shirogane Blue Pond to even more people.

■ Typhoon Damage and Recovery

On August 23, 2016, heavy rain from Typhoon No. 9 struck Hokkaido, affecting Shirogane Blue Pond in the town of Biei. The heavy rain caused a large amount of sediment to flow into the pond, turning the normally beautiful blue water a muddy brown. Furthermore, the typhoon’s impact was not limited to the water quality of the pond — the banks of the nearby Biei River also collapsed.

As a result, the safety of the area around the pond could no longer be ensured, and tourist access was temporarily prohibited. Subsequently, emergency repairs were carried out, including restoration of the collapsed riverbanks and removal of sediment that had flowed into the pond. On September 14, 2016, the access restriction was lifted, and the pond was once again able to welcome tourists.

Shirogane Blue Pond Through the Four Seasons

Shirogane Blue Pond offers different beautiful scenery with each season, so there are always new charms to discover whenever you visit. When you encounter the pond, please savor the unique highlights of that particular time of year.

■ Spring

In spring, Shirogane Blue Pond is freed from the winter cold, and as snowmelt water flows in, the water level rises and the pond takes on a color close to emerald green. During this period when the surrounding trees begin to sprout new buds, the landscape is filled with a beautiful contrast of pale green and blue. From April to May after the snow has melted, the transparency increases, and the surrounding scenery is beautifully reflected on the water surface.

■ Summer

Summer is the season when Shirogane Blue Pond shines its most beautiful blue. The strong sunlight illuminates the water surface, making the cobalt blue color even more vivid. This period has many sunny days, and the contrast with the blue sky creates a magnificent landscape. Summer is also the peak tourist season for the Blue Pond, and many visitors come, but it can be enjoyed relatively quietly during early morning or late afternoon hours.

■ Autumn

In autumn, the surrounding larch and birch trees turn to autumn colors, and the red and yellow leaves create a beautiful contrast with the blue of the pond. The peak autumn foliage season is from early to late October, and this period is particularly popular as visitors can enjoy the autumn colors. The combination of autumn foliage and the blue pond makes this an excellent time for photography.

■ Winter

Winter at Shirogane Blue Pond is characterized by its fantastical scenery covered in snow and ice. Illumination events are typically held from November to April, and at night the snow-covered landscape and the blue pond are lit up, creating a fantastical atmosphere. The combination of the starry sky and illumination never fails to impress visitors. However, during the depths of winter, the pond is almost completely frozen, so the blue surface cannot be seen — but the silver world of ice and snow is also one of its charms.

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Summary

Shirogane Blue Pond is a stunning natural scenic spot that the town of Biei, Hokkaido is proud of, and its beauty captivates many tourists throughout all four seasons. This pond was born by chance as a result of a dam installed following the 1988 eruption of Mount Tokachi, and visitors can enjoy the unique landscape created by the interplay of nature and human activity.

Because the pond shows a different face with every visit, there are always new charms to discover no matter how many times you come. We hope that through this article, you have been able to feel some of its charm. Please do visit in person and enjoy this beautiful landscape with your own eyes.