Blue Pond Biei Japan
A man-made pond in Biei, Hokkaido, famous for its surreal turquoise blue color caused by natural minerals.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Vibrant colors, fewer crowds
Blue Pond Biei Japan
Best Time
Vibrant colors, fewer crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A man-made pond in Biei, Hokkaido, famous for its surreal turquoise blue color caused by natural minerals.
"The colors are crystal blue and ranges to turquoise colours. It's beautiful and worth a short stop over."
🚗 Parking Fees
Parking is charged in 30-minute blocks. Be mindful of your time to avoid extra costs.
👟 Comfortable Shoes
Wear comfortable shoes for the short walk from the parking area to the pond.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Iconic Blue Pond
Biei, Hokkaido
A man-made marvel with an otherworldly turquoise hue, surrounded by serene birch and larch trees.
Shirahige Waterfalls
Near Blue Pond
Cascading white water against the blue pond's backdrop creates a stunning natural contrast.
Autumn Colors
Surrounding the pond
Vibrant fall foliage adds a warm, contrasting palette to the pond's cool blue tones.
Winter Wonderland
The pond and surrounding area
A frozen, snow-covered landscape transforms the pond into a magical, ethereal scene.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Key for the Blue Hue
Day Trip Logistics from Sapporo
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Parking Fees
Parking is charged in 30-minute blocks. Be mindful of your time to avoid extra costs.
👟 Comfortable Shoes
Wear comfortable shoes for the short walk from the parking area to the pond.
📸 Capture the Magic
The pond's color is its main draw; bring your camera for stunning photos.
⏳ Short Visit
Most visitors spend 30-60 minutes here. It's beautiful but not an all-day destination.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Parking Fees
Parking is charged in 30-minute blocks. Be mindful of your time to avoid extra costs.
👟 Comfortable Shoes
Wear comfortable shoes for the short walk from the parking area to the pond.
📸 Capture the Magic
The pond's color is its main draw; bring your camera for stunning photos.
⏳ Short Visit
Most visitors spend 30-60 minutes here. It's beautiful but not an all-day destination.
🍦 Blue Ice Cream
Try the local specialty blue ice cream, though some find it a bit overrated.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors are consistently amazed by the Blue Pond's striking, almost unreal turquoise color, often describing it as a unique natural wonder. The serene atmosphere and picturesque scenery, especially with the submerged trees, are highly praised. However, some find the attraction to be quite small, with limited activities beyond viewing the pond, and note that crowds can detract from the experience. +1
"Visited on a weekday afternoon in June after lunch. The weather was chilly but pleasant, perfect for a light walk. The pond wasn’t frozen and the water was truly blue. It was a spectacular sight in person.
We overheard a few tour guides explaining that the color comes from aluminum sediments in the water, which were washed down from a nearby waterfall. A neat little fact, and yes, there were quite a number of tour groups during our visit.
That said, there is not much else to see beyond the pond itself. It is beautiful, but not a place where you would spend a long time. Realistically, you would spend 30 to 60 minutes here at most.
Parking is not free and is charged in 30-minute blocks, if I remembered correctly. So once you are done with your photos and sightseeing, it is better to head off rather than hang around."
J
"This is incredible lake. The colours are crystal blue and ranges to turquoise colours. And in Spring, you'll get to see the snow capped mountains as the backdrop. Here you can also have their specialty blue Ice cream (but I didn't get it, abit overrated). But the Blue Pond is beautiful and worth a short stop over. I also saw some beautiful butterflies."
Sunni Wan
"Great place—if your goal is to see a few hundred Korean tourists😂
Jokes aside, the lake is pretty, but there’s absolutely nothing to do here besides glancing at the water and the crowds for a minute before moving on.
If you're already nearby, it’s a decent spot to visit, especially since there are some beautiful waterfalls not far from here (about a 40-minute walk or 10-minute bus ride).
But if you're thinking of coming all the way out here just to see this lake, you should seriously reconsider. It's not nearly as stunning as the heavily saturated photos make it seem."
Niko Einzberg
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can take a train from Sapporo to Asahikawa (approx. 1.5 hours) and then a Dohoku Bus to Shirogane (approx. 1 hour). Alternatively, many organized day tours from Sapporo are available for convenience.
Yes, it's feasible to reach Blue Pond by public transport, but it requires careful planning with train and bus connections.
While public transport is an option, many find organized tours or renting a car to be more efficient and less stressful for reaching Blue Pond Biei.
Blue Pond is approximately a 1-hour bus ride from Asahikawa Station.
Yes, there's a trail to Shirahige Waterfalls, about a 40-minute walk or a 10-minute bus ride away.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There is no entrance fee for the Blue Pond itself, but parking is charged.
Parking is charged based on time, typically in 30-minute blocks.
The Blue Pond is accessible year-round, and there are no specific operating hours as it's an outdoor natural attraction.
No, tickets are not required for entry to the Blue Pond. Parking fees are paid on-site.
Yes, Blue Pond is accessible in winter and offers a unique frozen, snow-covered landscape.
📸 📸 Photography
Morning light can be beautiful, but the pond's color is striking throughout the day. Consider the season for different backdrops.
The entire area around the pond offers great photo opportunities. The reflections of the trees in the water are particularly photogenic.
Drone usage regulations can vary. It's best to check local rules before flying a drone in the area.
The pond's vibrant turquoise color, caused by mineral sediments, and the surrounding natural landscape make it incredibly picturesque.
The color can vary slightly depending on the season, water levels, and mineral content, ranging from turquoise to cobalt blue.
🎫 🌿 Onsite Experience
The main attraction is the pond itself. You can enjoy a short walk around it, take photos, and appreciate the natural beauty.
Most visitors spend between 30 to 60 minutes at the Blue Pond, as it's a relatively small area.
Yes, there are usually restrooms available near the parking area.
Yes, there is a path that allows you to walk around the pond and take in the views from different angles.
The vibrant blue color is due to aluminum hydroxide and other mineral sediments from the nearby Shirahige Falls.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While there isn't a playground or extensive activities, the novelty of the 'magic' blue water can hold their attention for the 30-60 minutes typically spent here. 📸 Photographers' Paradise
The best light for photography can vary, but mornings often offer a tranquil setting before crowds arrive. Be prepared for the seasonal changes, as winter offers a stark, monochromatic beauty, while autumn provides a riot of color against the blue. +1🚶♀️ Nature & Tranquility Seekers
Take your time to stroll along the path, breathe in the fresh Hokkaido air, and appreciate the serene, almost surreal, landscape. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Science Behind the Blue
Interestingly, the pond was actually created as a man-made dam to prevent mudflows from the nearby Mt. Tokachi from damaging the town of Biei. The submerged trees, with their stark, skeletal forms, add to the pond's surreal and almost otherworldly atmosphere, creating a unique contrast against the vivid water.
+1This natural wonder gained international fame when one of its images was selected as a Mac OS X Mountain Lion wallpaper, further cementing its status as an iconic Japanese landscape.
Visiting Blue Pond in Different Seasons
Autumn is a particularly popular time, as the surrounding trees transform into a tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows, beautifully complementing the pond's blue.
However, some visitors note that the blue might appear less intense during the warmer months. Winter transforms the Blue Pond into a magical, frozen wonderland. The water may freeze over, and the entire landscape is blanketed in snow, creating an ethereal and serene atmosphere.
+1 While the vibrant blue might be less apparent when frozen, the stark beauty of the snow-covered trees and the quiet stillness offer a completely different, yet equally captivating, experience. Day Trip Logistics and Alternatives
If you're looking for alternatives or additions to your visit, the Shirahige Waterfalls are a must-see, located a short distance away and easily accessible by bus or a pleasant walk.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit