Hokkaido - Shirogane Aoi Ike (Shirogane Blue Pond/白金青い池) - A Biei Beauty Spot

Now so famous it's even a wallpaper present on Apple products, the Blue Pond found in the Shirogane area of Biei, Hokkaido was actually man-made... by accident. The pond is a by-product of attempts to control local mudslides! These days it's famous for its striking blue color, caused by aluminum in the water that scatters sunlight and brings out deep blue tones. But it's also popular in winter, when snow covers every surface in a fluffy white blanket.