Breathtaking blue pond lit up in Hokkaido creates mystical glow

BIEI, Hokkaido -- Visitors can now enjoy a popular tourist site here known as "the Blue Pond" while it's being lit up, as magical scenery shines in the dark against a background of Japanese larch trees.

The site in the town of Biei in Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido is an artificial pond that was created during sand erosion control work at Mount Tokachi. Spring water containing aluminum from the Shirogane hot springs located near the upper Biei River flows into the pond, creating microparticles, which make the surface look deep blue when natural light reflects on them.

The daily lighting event is open to the public until the end of April. A new feature was added to the 10-minute program this year, where light is cast on people watching the pond so that tourists can take selfies with the blue scenery.

(Japanese original by Taichi Kaizuka, Hokkaido Photo Group)