Shirogane Blue Pond

白金青い池

A brilliant blue pond formed by accident when a flood-control dyke was built. Its image of dead larch trunks standing in the water became world-famous as an Apple computer wallpaper.

Shirogane Blue Pond is located in the Shirogane district of Biei Town. It is an artificial pond created in 1988, after the eruption of Mount Tokachi, when a dam was built to hold back volcanic mudflows. The water contains aluminum-rich hot spring minerals, and light scattering gives the pond its distinctive cobalt-blue color. Dead larch trunks stand upright in the water, creating a dreamlike scene. In 2012, Apple selected an image of the pond as an OS X wallpaper, and it quickly became a sensation.

Viewing tips: Morning sunshine offers the best light. When the wind is calm, the water is still and the colors are more saturated. After rain, the water turns muddy. From May to June, the surrounding trees are fresh green. In mid-October, the autumn foliage is at its peak. From November to April, the pond is covered in ice and snow, and it is illuminated at night in winter.

The path around the pond is about 300 m one way and takes 10 to 20 minutes to walk. For this reason, a visit is usually combined with nearby Shirogane Onsen, Shirahige Falls (another blue stream), the Patchwork Road, and Shikisai no Oka to make a day trip. Parking costs 500 yen per car, and entry to the pond is free.

Getting there: Take the Dohoku Bus Route 39 from JR Biei Station, about 20 minutes, and get off at the Shirogane Blue Pond Entrance. Buses run infrequently, so check the timetable. From Furano, driving takes about 40 minutes.

Notes: Tour groups gather around noon in peak season, so visit before 9:00 or after 16:00. In winter, roads may be snowy, so snow tires are required.

Shirogane Blue Pond

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