Shirogane Blue Pond: Why It’s Blue and How to Visit the Hokkaido Wonder

Shirogane Blue Pond - Beautiful All Year Round

The area of Furano and Biei in Hokkaido is mainly known for its gorgeous lavender fields in late summer. However, in recent years, the Shirogane Blue Pond in Biei has become another popular reason to visit the area. One of its main appeals is that its appearance isn't tied to a season, but rather it has an ethereal beauty all year round.

Book a one-day tour of the Blue Pond in Biei that includes a visit to Asahiyama Zoo!

Why Is the Shirogane Blue Pond Blue?

The Shirogane Blue Pond gets its name from its surreal blue waters. Depending on the weather and the season it can change from a milky light blue to a deep green turquoise.

The pond was created artificially, and it's rather new. It is one of several ponds that were the by-product of creating a dam at the Biei River. The dam was built to stop the volcanic mud from the erupting Mt. Tokachi reaching the town of Biei in 1988. However, the Shirogane Blue Pond is the only one of these ponds that displays the beautiful blue color.

The pond gets its water from the nearby Shirahige Falls. Within the waterfall, the water mixes with aluminum from the cliff it flows through. Once the aluminum-infused water settles in the pond, it reflects and scatters the sunlight in a unique way, resulting in a vivid blue hue.

The blue water also wouldn't appear nearly as bright if the rocks on the bottom were not white. Substances like sulfur in the pond are responsible for bleaching the rock so the ethereal blue color can reflect off their clean canvas.

Shirogane Blue Pond - A Mystical Nature Spot

The color is not the only unique aspect of the pond. It houses dead trees that are no longer baring any leaves in its middle, which add to the enchanting and eerie appearance.

These trees are Japanese larch and silver birch trees that grow all around the pond as well. The ones in the pond became partly submerged when the area flooded. Their withered appearance offers a sight that could be straight out of a dark fantasy movie. The pond's mystical look is the reason why it is considered to be and even used as a spiritual place by many people.

While the blue pond is a unique spot in the area, its surrounding nature is also stunning. The trees growing all around the pond seem to merge with the blue water, creating a picturesque scene.

It should be mentioned that even a slight wind can influence the color of the pond, as it disturbs the surface and the reflection that creates the colored appearance. It is usually at its most beautiful on a clear, bright day without wind or rain.

This area is also popular for nature walks and hiking. It is home to Mt. Tokachi, Mt. Tomurashi, and the Daisetsuzan National Park.

Changing Beauty Through the Seasons

The Shirogane Blue Pond is beautiful year-round. Every season will offer a different display.

Spring - The Bluest of Them All

In spring, the blue pond is at the height of its enticing color. In early spring the water is often still slightly frozen over; it is not covered by a thick layer of ice, but just enough to let the water shine through.

The water is brightest and clearest between May and June. However, the color always depends on the amount of aluminum in the water as well as the weather.

Summer - Nature in Full Bloom

In summer the blue is accentuated by the green trees and illuminated by the blue sky. Most of the pond's pictures you can find online are shot in summer.

Visiting the pond in summer is not only recommended for the beauty of its waters alone. The Shirogane Blue Pond isn't far from some of Furano's famous lavender fields, so if you visit in July you can enjoy two of Furano's most famous sights.

Fall - Blue Waters Surrounded by Red Leaves

Just like everything else in Japan, the pond's surroundings are tinted red in the fall. This creates a stark contrast to its waters, which are usually emerald green in autumn.

Winter - Snow Illuminated by Light

The pond was not accessible in winter until just a couple of years ago. However, in recent years it has been opened to the public, and has even begun to be illuminated in the evenings.

Hokkaido can get snow as early as October, and the pond usually freezes over during the colder months. The ice has an unusual hue of blue, and the snow adds to the whimsical look of the scenery.

Book a winter tour that includes the Blue Pond in Biei!

Shirogane Blue Pond - How to Get There

Traveling in Hokkaido is easiest if you can rent a car. Buses are scarce, and a car will save you a lot of waiting time. From Biei Station it will take about twenty minutes to drive to the pond.

You can access the Shirogane Blue Pond by a direct bus connection from JR Biei Station as well. The Dohoku Bus line starts from near JR Biei Station, and the ride takes about twenty-five minutes.

Use the convenient travel passes for international visitors! JR PASS and Hokkaido Rail Pass

Nature's Beautiful Accident

The blue pond was ultimately just the side effect of a necessary action that was taken after Mt. Tokachi erupted. However, it is now one of Hokkaido's most popular outdoor sights. Several unusual incidents had to come together to create its blue color and whimsical look.

Be sure to visit the Shirogane Blue Pond when you are in the Furano area!

Shirogane Blue Pond

Shirogane, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido 071-0235

Prepare for Your Hokkaido Trip! Car Rentals, Accommodations, and WiFi

Using a rental car is very convenient for traveling around Hokkaido. The lavender fields in Furano, the Shirogane Pond in Biei, or the splendid nature and art spots around Sapporo can all be easily accessed by rental car.

MATCHA's readers can use a 10% discount voucher for renting a car from Nippon Rent-a-Car, one of the largest rental car services in Japan.

Please be careful, however, when driving in Hokkaido in winter. This region sees severe snowfall every year and there might be frost on the roads. Because of the snow, the road might not be visible. In other words, please also consider traveling by train in combination with using a rental car.

If you've already booked your tickets for Hokkaido, you'll also probably want to look for hotels.

You can find good accommodation at convenient prices by using Booking.com or Agoda.

You might also need a WiFi connection since the places that offer free internet connections in Japan are still quite limited. Renting a pocket WiFi is very convenient for travelers. Using the 20% discount voucher below to rent Ninja-WiFi, one of the most popular portable internet services in Japan.

Booking.com

Enjoy planning your trip and have a great time in Hokkaido!

Main image by Pixta