Shirogane Blue Pond
Shirogane Blue Pond
4.1
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4.1
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才谷梅太郎
Yokohama, Japan5,353 contributions
July 2024 • Couples
To prevent a mudslide disaster caused by Tokachidake, which erupted in December 1988, concrete blocks were piled up on the Biei River and a small dam called Entei was built. One of them is a pool of water, which, unlike purpose-built reservoirs or reservoirs, has become an artificial pond by accident. In 1997, a photographer living in Kamifurano discovered a pond away from the town center and included "Blue Pond" in his photo book published the following year. In 2012, it was adopted by Apple Inc. as a wallpaper for personal computers, and in 2014, it was introduced on television and became widely known.
The blue pond is believed to turn blue when the clear water of the Biei River is mixed with aluminum hydroxide-rich groundwater that flows from Shirahige Falls and other waterfalls. According to The Asahi Shimbun, a research team at the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences (GRIPS) and the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences (GRIPS) have developed a new method for treating cancer. Another factor that makes the blue color more appealing is the reflection of sunlight by sulfur and lime components that settle at the bottom of the pond.
Blue Pond is a beautiful mysterious blue called Biei Blue. Depending on the weather, season, and other conditions, it may appear cobalt blue, emerald green, or sometimes a transparent light blue as the water surface reflects like a mirror. It was sunny in mid-July when I visited, but it was blocked by twilight clouds and a weak light shined emerald green. Sunlight is an important point to see the beautiful blue color. They say you can see beautiful scenery in the early morning and morning, but it is backlit at the position of the sun. When the sun is high in the afternoon, you can shoot beautiful blue. I visited in the early afternoon referring to the preliminary research. It was crowded with inbound tourists, and it was difficult to shoot slowly, but it was relatively empty as I went deeper along the pond without stopping. It is said that the best season is from mid-May to late June, when there are many sunny days and strong sunshine, but the beauty of each season is different.
A few days before my visit, a local TV station reported that a foreign man was swimming and another person was filming it with a drone. Swimming is prohibited in the Blue Pond, and drone photography is prohibited. With about 250 times the population of Biei and 2.38 million visitors a year, overtourism has become a problem. It was a nuisance while considering admission tax at the town hall to raise money for maintenance. I want them to pay a fee to have sanitary public toilets.
The blue pond is believed to turn blue when the clear water of the Biei River is mixed with aluminum hydroxide-rich groundwater that flows from Shirahige Falls and other waterfalls. According to The Asahi Shimbun, a research team at the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences (GRIPS) and the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences (GRIPS) have developed a new method for treating cancer. Another factor that makes the blue color more appealing is the reflection of sunlight by sulfur and lime components that settle at the bottom of the pond.
Blue Pond is a beautiful mysterious blue called Biei Blue. Depending on the weather, season, and other conditions, it may appear cobalt blue, emerald green, or sometimes a transparent light blue as the water surface reflects like a mirror. It was sunny in mid-July when I visited, but it was blocked by twilight clouds and a weak light shined emerald green. Sunlight is an important point to see the beautiful blue color. They say you can see beautiful scenery in the early morning and morning, but it is backlit at the position of the sun. When the sun is high in the afternoon, you can shoot beautiful blue. I visited in the early afternoon referring to the preliminary research. It was crowded with inbound tourists, and it was difficult to shoot slowly, but it was relatively empty as I went deeper along the pond without stopping. It is said that the best season is from mid-May to late June, when there are many sunny days and strong sunshine, but the beauty of each season is different.
A few days before my visit, a local TV station reported that a foreign man was swimming and another person was filming it with a drone. Swimming is prohibited in the Blue Pond, and drone photography is prohibited. With about 250 times the population of Biei and 2.38 million visitors a year, overtourism has become a problem. It was a nuisance while considering admission tax at the town hall to raise money for maintenance. I want them to pay a fee to have sanitary public toilets.
Automatically translated
Written 5 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jazz須磨
Kobe, Japan3,620 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
This pond was created by pooling water in a weir built on the Biei River to prevent the volcanic mudslide disaster of Mt. Tokachi that erupted in 1988. The beautiful blue of the water Top-rated in Hokkaido and the scenery created by the standing larch are so otherworldly that it is fascinating
It is popular because it offers a view of the charm of the seasons, but especially in summer, it has a lot of clear weather and strong sunlight, which makes it a particularly bright cobalt blue water surface
Only Top-rated sightseeing spots have free mornings, one-way traffic is restricted, northern access towards Biei Station is more convenient and there is paid parking
It is popular because it offers a view of the charm of the seasons, but especially in summer, it has a lot of clear weather and strong sunlight, which makes it a particularly bright cobalt blue water surface
Only Top-rated sightseeing spots have free mornings, one-way traffic is restricted, northern access towards Biei Station is more convenient and there is paid parking
Automatically translated
Written 8 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brun066
Florence, Italy14,052 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
…and it's indeed unmissable.
We visited it in the late afternoon of a beautiful summer day, using the bus line leading from Biei downtown in that direction.
However, since this bus runs infrequently, we had little time for the visit; after looking out over the pond and walking briefly on the shore, we had to quickly return to the bus stop, to catch the last ride of the evening.
The positive side of our visit is that, since it happened late, it didn't imply any crowd problems at all.
The color of the pond is truly unique. We were able to enjoy a beautiful shade of intense blue, which apparently isn't present all year round.
The tree trunks half submerged by the water, with their ghostly appearance, increase the charm of the place.
We visited it in the late afternoon of a beautiful summer day, using the bus line leading from Biei downtown in that direction.
However, since this bus runs infrequently, we had little time for the visit; after looking out over the pond and walking briefly on the shore, we had to quickly return to the bus stop, to catch the last ride of the evening.
The positive side of our visit is that, since it happened late, it didn't imply any crowd problems at all.
The color of the pond is truly unique. We were able to enjoy a beautiful shade of intense blue, which apparently isn't present all year round.
The tree trunks half submerged by the water, with their ghostly appearance, increase the charm of the place.
Written 11 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gatechnihonjin30350
Sharpsburg, GA1,421 contributions
July 2024 • Solo
Because we went on a bad day, we were able to go without traffic. Traffic on the road for an hour or two is rough, so I thought it would be a good idea to go to the bathroom before coming here. The pond was certainly blue and beautiful. I wish I could make the car park a bit bigger.
Automatically translated
Written 17 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dewaere
Ile-de-France, France684 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
Not very easy to access if you are not by car, there is bus 39 leaving from Beie but not much
The color of the lake is very pretty especially with the contrast of white tree trunks many people
3 km up there is the waterfall to see also
The color of the lake is very pretty especially with the contrast of white tree trunks many people
3 km up there is the waterfall to see also
Automatically translated
Written 22 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelvin C
Potomac, MD185 contributions
July 2024 • Family
The Blue Pond was absolutely beautiful. The teal-turquoise color was mesmerizing. But that would only take a few minutes. They also have vendors that sell ice-cream/gelato with a biscuit, while was good. The parking situation was a bit hectic. Traffic came in both directions and the line was long. It was also a paid parking. Make sure to pay parking BEFORE getting into your car to drive out. Save you time.
Written 2 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hatijyoumaki
Saitama Prefecture, Japan509 contributions
July 2024 • Couples
I have been here about 20 times throughout the year.
Before, there was no parking for just a few cars, but the blue pond was more beautiful than it is now.
Is it because the quality of the upstream Shirokane Hot Springs has changed?
Is this due to a change in the environment caused by a dramatic increase in tourists?
Is it because the trees have been dying?
That blue pond, tucked away in a quiet forest.
I'm very sorry for that.
But there are so many wonderful, unknown spots in Hokkaido that I hope they will remain beautiful forever, unchanged from time immemorial.
Before, there was no parking for just a few cars, but the blue pond was more beautiful than it is now.
Is it because the quality of the upstream Shirokane Hot Springs has changed?
Is this due to a change in the environment caused by a dramatic increase in tourists?
Is it because the trees have been dying?
That blue pond, tucked away in a quiet forest.
I'm very sorry for that.
But there are so many wonderful, unknown spots in Hokkaido that I hope they will remain beautiful forever, unchanged from time immemorial.
Automatically translated
Written 14 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
girl.who.loves.travel.n.food
118 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Shirogane blue pond was in my bucket list for years. I encountered a snowy day when I visited the bond.
There was a layer of snow on the pond, covering the beautiful blue water.
Although it was a pitty that I could not see the blue water, it was another level of beauty under snow!
I enjoyed the chill and silence in the morning. The snow was so clean and white!
Hope I will be able to meet the blue bond next time!
There was a layer of snow on the pond, covering the beautiful blue water.
Although it was a pitty that I could not see the blue water, it was another level of beauty under snow!
I enjoyed the chill and silence in the morning. The snow was so clean and white!
Hope I will be able to meet the blue bond next time!
Written 4 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mikayla
Yokosuka, Japan2 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
Cold and frozen with snow over it in late December. Still pretty, but you can't see the water. Lights started at 4:30 PM when the sun went down.
Our route: Sapporo > Asahikawa (Lilac line) > Biei Station (Furano line) > Bus
Buses to the pond were every 1.5 hrs from Biei Station. The bus took us there from a stop across from the station (¥550 each way).
HIGHLY recommend looking at train times between Asahikawa (or Furano if that's where you're coming from) and Biei to line up with the bus time from Biei > Blue Pond, because we had to mill around Biei for an hour and a half waiting for the next bus and it's a very small town with not much of anything. Taxis only start at 4:30 PM and have to be booked at the local taxi service offixe.
However, there was a lovely café (Café Biei Hills) that had hot drinks, wifi, curry, and kind workers who answered some of our questions.
Our route: Sapporo > Asahikawa (Lilac line) > Biei Station (Furano line) > Bus
Buses to the pond were every 1.5 hrs from Biei Station. The bus took us there from a stop across from the station (¥550 each way).
HIGHLY recommend looking at train times between Asahikawa (or Furano if that's where you're coming from) and Biei to line up with the bus time from Biei > Blue Pond, because we had to mill around Biei for an hour and a half waiting for the next bus and it's a very small town with not much of anything. Taxis only start at 4:30 PM and have to be booked at the local taxi service offixe.
However, there was a lovely café (Café Biei Hills) that had hot drinks, wifi, curry, and kind workers who answered some of our questions.
Written 1 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
meche0009
London, UK87 contributions
Aug 2023
Unfortunately the morning we had put aside to see this place, it was raining, so I don't think we got quite the full affect of the stunning blue, although it was still really quite spectacular.
We caught a bus from Biei train station which took around 45 mins, I think, and gave us about 30 minutes before the return bus, to see it. It was very popular with quite a lot of coach parties there, so I'd recommend going up the stairs from the carpark not the ramp and walking around to the right to come along the lake from the other direction. Doing this we got some uninterrupted views for the majority of our walk.
There is a little shop selling allsorts of blue things and a set of bathrooms, which all got quite busy, so if you're catching the bus, keep an eye on the time. We nearly fell foul of this and had to scurry across the carpark a little. ;-)
Think this would be really beautiful on a sunny day, well worth a trip out to it, if you're in the area, I'd say.
We caught a bus from Biei train station which took around 45 mins, I think, and gave us about 30 minutes before the return bus, to see it. It was very popular with quite a lot of coach parties there, so I'd recommend going up the stairs from the carpark not the ramp and walking around to the right to come along the lake from the other direction. Doing this we got some uninterrupted views for the majority of our walk.
There is a little shop selling allsorts of blue things and a set of bathrooms, which all got quite busy, so if you're catching the bus, keep an eye on the time. We nearly fell foul of this and had to scurry across the carpark a little. ;-)
Think this would be really beautiful on a sunny day, well worth a trip out to it, if you're in the area, I'd say.
Written 8 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, possible to visit the place in late March, by public transport, as I understand there is a bus from Biei Station?
Written 3 February 2019
Hello, late March may still be cold, just put on a jacket & comfortable walking shoes. Not certain on public transport schedule during that time, best is to google search the public bus schedule for confirmation. Enjoy yr Hokkaido holidays.
Written 4 February 2019
Hi! Will the pond be covered by snow in mid-February?
Written 6 December 2018
Hi Melanie,
Guess you need to see the weather forecast on this but trust it is a cold season. As per what another comment that I saw, "During winter, the snow and the cold practically froze and covered the whole pond. Despite having night illumination, the sight wasn't impressive enough. It's basically dead tree barks standing on frozen white lake illuminated by blue lights". So I believe you won't actually see the blue pond which what most people want to see when they go there. However I trust u could see the background of snowy mountain at the pond itself. All the best!
Written 16 December 2018
Hi guys~ Any idea if the Blue Pond is going to be frozen by early Dec? Planning to go on the first week of Dec but I hope it's not frozen yet!
Written 15 November 2018
I don't know if it's frozen or not. But, are you going there by public transportation? It's easier to go by driving in Spring, Summer or Autumn, but not in Winter with snow/ice on the roads. I learned that many Singaporean people want to drive in winter in Hokkaido, but it's dangerous to drive. Although it's not easy to go there by public transportations because few local people go there in Winter, at least, you should not drive and should check the timetable of the buses to the Pond in advance.
Written 15 November 2018
Hi, can someone tell me if the lake has frozen over around the 26th Dec 2018. When is it starting to snow only and the lake has not frozen over as yet, but still gives that light aqua blue color only (I assume mid - late nov?) Thanks in advance for any answers.
Written 24 August 2018
It would be frozen around 26 December.
Written 26 August 2018
Hi Yasmine,
I'm Lidia Chandra, planning to go to Biei on Nov 18. I'm confused on how far the bus stop from the station? I was traveling from Otaru; and since the bus is not too many, I don't want to wait too long or have too short time to catch the bus. I'm traveling with my mom as well. Thank you.
Written 13 August 2018
Hi, will the pond be blue in mid-October? How far is the pond from Tomamu and from Asahidake. Thanks
Written 26 June 2018
It was explained to us that the colours stem from (polluting) minerals in the water and that it stays blue all the time, unless there have been torrential rain. In other words - You should be able to see it in all its azure glory in October! Driving times in Hokkaido are tricky to calculate, the speed limits are ridiculously low, though most locals seem to be quite flexible when it comes to adhering to the rules...
Written 26 June 2018
hello, I'm planning to visit blue pond this summer. I want to ask if the blue color is significant at that time? Than you for your advice.
Written 27 May 2018
Yes, at summer will be change into blue. You must visit 😁 enjoy your holiday 👍🏻
Written 28 May 2018
Can one take a bullet train from Chitose airport to Blue Pond? I'm looking at the bullet train map and it looks like it stops in Biei, but on googlemaps it says there is no train that goes there.
Written 22 April 2018
Better you go with train, if you have JR pass you can use it and then continue your trip wih bus from Biei station. It is easy way, you dont have to worry. Enjoy your trip.
Written 30 April 2018
Will the blue pond be visible in February or iced over?
Written 24 November 2017
Highly likely iced over in Feb.
Written 26 February 2018
5 Nov 2017 - I'm planning a self drive to this place this Sunday from Sapporo.
anyone can give advice or suggestion? How are the roads? has it started to be covered with snow?
Written 30 October 2017
From Sapporo to Asahikawa, the road is ok. From Asahikawa, the road is two-laned local. The former no scenery. The latter more scenic and enjoyable. The former faster, The latter slower. I understand Hokkaido road has sub-surface heating lines. As such, I do not worry about the snow. Actually I had to detour long in early November at Aomori. The road to the pond has no steep heels, but thick woods.
Written 1 November 2017
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