Blue Pond Biei
Blue Pond, A Small Man Made Pond Near Biei In Central Hokkaido Whose Milky Blue Colour Comes From Minerals In The Water, With Dead Larch Trees Standing In It. A Famous Photo Stop In A Farmland District, Lit Up In Winter. · Biei, Hokkaido
Blue Pond is a small pond in farmland near Biei in central Hokkaido, known for water of an unreal milky blue and for the dead larch trunks that stand in it. It was made by accident of a flood-control project, a dam built after the 1988 eruption of Mount Tokachi to hold back mud flows from the mountain. The bluish colour comes from minerals in the water, which carries aluminium hydroxide from the Shirogane hot spring area and changes with weather, light and season. A car park and short paths lead to viewing spots, and it is free to visit. In winter the pond is lit at night, and snow covers the trees. It suits photographers, road trippers and anyone passing through Biei and Furano. A visit takes about 30 minutes. It is worth the detour on a calm, bright day, and is best seen with the patchwork hills of Biei nearby, in a day of driving. Overcast skies and wind can leave it dull grey, and summer crowds are heavy.
Shirogane, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido, a short drive or bus from Biei Station in the Furano-Biei hills, Biei, Hokkaido, Japan
The pond itself has no gate and can be visited at any hour, but the car park, toilets and shops are open in daytime, with shorter hours in winter. In winter the pond is lit at night for a limited season - confirm dates and hours. Visiting is free, though a car park may charge a small fee in busy periods - confirm. The pond lies a short drive or bus ride from Biei Station, about 15 to 20 minutes by road; check the bus times, as services thin out in winter. Many visitors come by car or rental bicycle. Nothing needs booking, but summer weekends and holidays fill the car park by midmorning.