Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

The vibrant blue sea of the Shakotan Peninsula is well-known. Near the coast, the water is shallow, and the rocks in the shallows are clearly visible, giving the water an emerald-like greenish-blue color. As you move offshore, this color gradually changes to a deep cobalt blue. The vivid blue gradient is reminiscent of tropical waters.

The best places to view Shakotan blue are "Cape Kamui," "Cape Shakotan," and "Shimamui Coast."

At "Cape Kamui," you can stroll along the promenade from the parking lot to the tip with the lighthouse, enjoying the Shakotan blue sea on both sides.

Biei blue is known for its unique cobalt blue color. The "Shirogane Blue Pond," which has become nationally known in recent years and attracts many tourists daily, is a prime example.

The "Shirogane Blue Pond" is an artificial pond created by dam construction, but the reason for its color is said to be colloidal particles formed by the mixing of aluminum-containing groundwater from the upstream Shirogane Onsen and the water of the Biei River. When sunlight hits these particles, blue light is reflected, giving the pond its distinctive blue color.

The Biei blue can be seen not only in the Shirogane Blue Pond. The Biei River, which flows next to the Blue Pond, has the same color. To see the Biei River's blue color more beautifully, it is recommended to go to the pedestrian bridge over the Shirahige Falls in Shirogane Onsen. You can look down on the river, which has the same color as the Shirogane Blue Pond.

Lake Mashu, a caldera lake located in Teshikaga Town, is renowned for its exceptional clarity, once holding the world record for transparency. This remarkable clarity accentuates the lake's beauty. The unique deep blue color is created by the high transparency that prevents impurities from entering, combined with the lake's depth and minimal light reflection.

There is another attraction related to this Mashu blue. That is Kaminoko Pond, which has become increasingly popular in recent years. Located deep in the mountains of Kiyosato Town, this mysterious pond is a small pond with a circumference of 220 meters and a depth of only 5 meters, but it is fed by abundant underground water from Lake Mashu. It is characterized by its mysterious coloring, with the pond turning a unique cobalt or emerald blue in summer, like a "Shirogane Blue Pond," and a deep indigo color in winter, offering a different hue every time you visit.

Shakotan blue, Biei blue, Mashu blue, all are unforgettable and memorable once you go there. Which blue would you like to see?