The Blue Pond, Biei, Hokkaido
Biei is a small town, surrounded with beautiful nature. Meanwhile the Blue Pond is an artificial lake, that has formed after building a dam in 1988 to prevent mudflow from the Bieigawa River. The striking blue color is claimed to be the result of aluminum hydroxide. Moreover the color depends on the season and time of the day as water itself is not blue, but only an effect of diffraction.
Why to go there?
It is a world-wide famous spot. It became a desirable tourist attraction after Apple used a photo for their OS X Mountain Lion. With the protruding dry slim trees the pond exudes an enigmatic appearance.