Blue Pond, also known as the Shirogane Blue Pond or Biei Shirogane Blue Pond, is one of the most popular scenic attractions in Biei. Its remarkably blue water and the silhouettes of trees that stand stark and lifeless in the pond create an otherworldly landscape that has attracted photographers and travelers from around the world.
The pond’s unusual blue color is believed to result from the mixing of different mineral components found in nearby spring water and the main stream of the Biei River. When sunlight interacts with the water, it creates the striking blue appearance for which the pond is famous. The Biei River flowing on the opposite side of the pond’s retaining structure also takes on a similar bluish hue.
Because the appearance depends on the water’s mineral composition and sunlight, the color changes with the seasons and weather. In spring, when abundant snowmelt flows into the area, the water can take on a slightly emerald-green shade of blue. In early summer, it often appears a brighter light blue. After heavy rain, however, the water may become cloudy as the mineral concentration is diluted, and the characteristic blue color may temporarily disappear.
Despite its natural-looking beauty, Blue Pond was actually created by accident. It formed when water accumulated behind one of several retaining structures built along the Biei River to protect the area from volcanic mudflows following the 1988 eruption of Mount Tokachi.
In 1989, a concrete-block retaining structure was constructed along the left bank of the Biei River. Water subsequently accumulated behind the structure, submerging trees that had naturally grown in the area, including Japanese larches and white birches.
The submerged trees eventually died and remained standing in the water. The combination of their pale, weathered trunks and the newly formed blue pond created the extraordinary landscape that visitors can see today.
Blue Pond changes dramatically throughout the year. In spring and summer, the vivid blue water forms a beautiful contrast with the fresh green foliage surrounding it. In autumn, colorful leaves are reflected on the surface, adding warm tones to the mysterious blue landscape.
During the depths of winter, the pond can freeze over and become covered in snow, transforming the scene into a vast expanse of white. Each season offers a different expression of this unusual landscape.
During certain seasons, Blue Pond is illuminated after dark. Artificial light highlights the frozen or still waters and the distinctive silhouettes of the standing trees, creating a mysterious atmosphere quite different from the daytime scenery.
Whether viewed under the bright summer sky, surrounded by autumn colors, or beneath a blanket of winter snow, Blue Pond offers a memorable glimpse of the unusual landscapes created by the interaction of volcanic geology, water, and nature.
Free of charge
Approx. 20 minutes by car from JR Biei Station
Approximately 20 minutes by Dohoku Bus