Blue Pond

“Clear Pool” primarily refers to two things: “Clear Pool” is a five-character regulated verse poem written by the Northern Song Dynasty poet Mei Yaochen, depicting the ecological scenery of a pond and metaphorically reflecting social realities. The other famous “Qingchi” (sometimes also referred to as ‘Qingchi’ or “Lanchi”) is a scenic spot in Biei Town, Hokkaido, Japan, renowned for its turquoise-blue pond water and unique natural landscapes. Due to its high aluminum content, the pond water changes color with the light, exhibiting a mesmerizing blue hue.

Shirahige Falls

The Shirahige Waterfall is one of the representative tourist attractions of the Biei Platinum Hot Spring Town. The waterfall, resembling a white beard, plunges 30 meters from a cliff into the Biei River. It is a “subterranean waterfall,” where groundwater flows down from cracks in the rock wall, a rare type of waterfall in Japan. The water flowing from the Tokachi Mountains contains volcanic components that affect light reflection, causing the surface of the Biei River to emit a cobalt blue glow. The majestic sight of the white waterfall cascading into the Biei River is truly breathtaking.