Winter Illuminations at the Blue Pond 青い池のライトアップ

The Blue Pond (Aoiike) in Biei, Hokkaido, transforms from its iconic vibrant blue in warmer months into an ethereal wonderland during winter, further enchanted by its breathtaking seasonal illumination. As heavy snow blankets the surrounding forests and often freezes the pond's surface, the already picturesque landscape takes on a serene, monochromatic beauty.

This vividly colored pond, adorned with a ghostly forest of submerged trees, exploded onto the world stage thanks to photographer Kent Shiraishi. His iconic winter photograph of Aoiike became a default wallpaper for all Apple Mac products in 2012, catapulting the once-hidden gem into a global phenomenon. Located a few hours north of Sapporo, it's a major destination for both Japanese and international tourists. The pond's mesmerizing hues, ranging from deep azure to aquamarine, are not entirely natural in origin; it was created in 1988 when the Biei River was dammed. Its distinctive coloration stems from natural minerals leached from adjacent mountains and waterfalls into the water, giving the man-made body of water its otherworldly glow. During winter evenings, this already unique landscape truly comes alive, as the emerald-tinted ice glows with hidden lights, offering a truly unforgettable experience.

The carefully orchestrated winter illumination truly elevates this natural marvel into a dreamlike spectacle. As dusk settles, a sophisticated array of LED lights bathes the snow-covered trees and the partially frozen pond, cycling through a mesmerizing palette of colors – from deep sapphires and emeralds that mimic its summer glow, to soft ambers and vibrant magentas. This light show creates a stunning contrast against the pristine white snow and dark winter sky, turning the frozen pond into a silent, glittering tableau where nature's stark beauty is harmoniously augmented by the magical glow, offering visitors an intensely unique and unforgettable experience in the heart of Hokkaido's winter.

This is my take on the Winter illuminations at the Blue Pond.

This is not something I do often, because I still prefer doing portraits most.

The place does get quite crowded as do all popular Japanese tourist destinations. And then with the very cold weather and with the very cumblesome tripod...

Most photographs of this place in winter are without the illumination, and those few that I see have the light on the ground...I specifically wanted one on the trees and in the middle of the photo...

I did a monochrome version as well...