Shirogane Aoi-ike
Also written: 白金青い池 · 白金蓝池
An ethereal landscape created by the standing dead larches and a cobalt-blue water surface.
An Illustrated Japan / Hokkaido / Famous Views
About this place
Shirogane Blue Pond in Biei is not natural at all: it is one of several sabo dams built in December 1988 after the 1988 eruption of Mt. Tokachidake to stop volcanic mudflows down the Biei River. Groundwater enriched with aluminum from Shirogane Onsen seeps mixes with river water, creating invisible colloidal particles that scatter sunlight, making the pond appear cobalt blue. Its color changes daily with weather and sun angle. The dead larch trees standing in the water are the original forest drowned by the dam – they are slowly collapsing year by year, so each visit is different. Best viewing is mid-May to late June when snowmelt increases clarity and on calm, sunny mornings from 10:00 to 14:00 when the reflection is sharp. Walk the 15–20 minute loop trail, then head 5 minutes by car to Shirahige Falls, a 30 m waterfall spilling from cracks like white beards into the same blue Biei River. Access: from JR Biei Station take the Dohoku Bus about 20 minutes to ‘Shirogane Aoi-ike Iriguchi’ and walk 2 minutes. Parking is 500 yen for 270 cars, often full after 10:00 in summer – arrive around 8:00, or drive from Asahikawa Airport in 30 minutes. From November to April the frozen pond is illuminated after sunset until about 21:00, magical but -20°C – bring down jacket, gloves, hat and winter boots. Entering the water or flying drones without permission is prohibited; an AI camera with multilingual warnings protects the site, after tourists were filmed swimming in July. Apple used a photo of this pond for its OS X Mountain Lion wallpaper in July 2012, which sent foreign visitors soaring.
