[2020] The blue pond illumination

The blue pond is at the foot of Mt. Tokachi.
At night, the surroundings are pitch black and you can't even see your feet without a flashlight.

The sound of the nearby river ...

The gently light turns on in the total darkness to enlighten your heart...

The blue pond illuminated in the darkness is fantastic.

The lighting pattern changes little by little every 10 minutes.

You can compare with the previous photo, but in the photo below the yellow leaves of the larch in the back are illuminated with red light, looking like they are burning.
The fluffy looking red leaves are a thing that can be only seen in November, when the leaves are still hanging on their tree.

Among several patterns of the usual blue lighting, this year is the first time to have a "green x red" color scheme.

It has more impact when you actually see it with your own eyes than seeing it in the picture.

Many fans come to see the illumination every year, always being surprised by the new lighting patterns.

The light up can also be seen from other angles.

Perhaps because of the dark, some people just look at the illumination from one place and go home. But when walk all the way toward the river in the back, the impression and the feelings you get to see from theses angles are quite different and interesting.

After driving all the way to the foot of the mountain in the middle of the night, better see the illumination from every angles and places!

As mentioned at the beginning, the blue pond is located at the foot of Mt. Tokachi, so the temperature is much lower and colder than in the city.

Don't forget to take measures against the cold, such as wearing a Uniqlo’s heattech and a warm jacket when you go to see the blue pond!

Compared to a few years ago, the blue pond accessibility have greatly improved: the road from the parking lot to the blue pond has been paved and a short guide has been installed.

Even if it's much easier to walk than before, the road is still very dark, so if you're anxious in the dark or traveling with children, it’s recommended that you bring a flashlight to illuminate your feet.

A lot of people are taking commemorative photos with the blue pond illumination as a background, using the flash of their smartphones to take pictures.
But usually, their surroundings are pitch black and the picture just don’t come out right.

But worry not! There is a trick to take beautiful pictures.

A light for illuminating people is installed near the center of the blue pond.
If you take a picture while the light is on, the area around you will be brighter, and you can take a beautiful picture with the lit up blue pond as a background.

Please, try it!

Located upstream of the blue pond, the Shirahige Waterfall is also lit up.
Since you’re here, it would be a waste not seeing this illuminated waterfall!

As I mentioned in the article, the lighting pattern of the blue pond changes every year.
If you haven't seen it yet or even if you've been there before, be sure to stop by the blue pond when you visit Biei!

Address: Shirogane, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 0166-94-3355 Roadside Station Biei Shirogane Birke
Business hours: 8: 30-21: 30 (November-April)
Parking lot: Yes (parking fee 500 yen)