The Blue Pond also known as Aoiike in Japanese
is located outside the onsen (hot spring) town of
Shirogane. Blue Pond has a deep blue color because of
minerals that naturally dissolve in the water.
Blue Pond is an artificial body of
water with tree
stumps
protruding out of the surface. The Blue Pond’s color
can
be attributed to the natural minerals in the water.
Aluminum hydroxide has been found present in the
water and is known to reflect shorter wavelengths of
blue light. It is similar to how the Earth’s atmosphere
has
a blue color. This means that in different parts of the
day
the Blue Pond changes hues or if you look at it from
various angles. Even though the water looks blue
from a
distance does not mean that it is actual color of
substance. If you were to scoop up the water into a
cup
it would be clear.
On the east side of the city, Mount Tokachidake,
Mount
Tomuraushi and Mount Chubetsu are located and
known as active volcanoes. These mountains are
part of
the Daisetsuzan National Park and are referred to as
Tokachi Volcanic Group. Since Mount Tokachidake’s
eruption in December 1988, measures were taken to
prevent damage to Biei. An erosion control was built
to
prevent disastrous outcomes, which created the Blue
Pond near the Shirogane Onsen. It was not
considered
a tourist spot until recently when pictures of the body
of
water were included with the Apple OS X Mountain
Lion.
Please see below for tours
that include Blue Pond:
