Biei, Japan is home to a stunning sapphire blue pond dotted with skeletal dead birch trees that looks as though it is the domain of an immortal fairy godmother who will happily grant you a series of wishes now that you have reached her enchanted domain. Shirogane’s Blue Pond was created in the wake of a 1988 volcanic eruption. The Biei River was diverted to prevent Mount Tokachi’s potentially destructive mudflows from reaching nearby towns. The Blue Pond’s vibrant color is the result of mineral deposits. Much like the luminous mineral pools of Yellowstone, swimming is strictly off limits in the Blue Pond because its waters are toxic to human beings. Chances are you will be so mesmerized by the Blue Pond’s surreal turquoise waters—diving in and taking a swim will seem sacrilegious. The Blue Pond is known to display many different rich shades of blue, depending on the season.
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