Because there is no river flowing in or out, the lake surface is like a mirror, carrying a deep sense of tranquility.
The lake is surrounded by cliffs hundreds of meters high, so Guangyou and Xiao Ai could only stand on the high ground to admire the lake view.
Many superstitious beliefs circulate about Lake Mashu.
Because Lake Mashu is often associated with being shrouded in fog and rarely clearing up, it's unclear when exactly a saying suddenly emerged:
If a person sees Lake Mashu after the weather has cleared up, it means that their wedding date is far away, while if a couple sees it at the same time, it means that they are about to break up.
Of course, there are other versions, such as career setbacks.
There is no scientific basis for this, and neither Guangyou nor his partner believe that seeing the cleared-out Lake Mashu will cause them to break up.
After traveling for several days and visiting many attractions, including three lakes, the two finally arrived in Shiretoko.
In the Ainu language, Shiretoko means the end of the earth.
As its name suggests, Shiretoko, rarely visited by people, retains its most pristine appearance and is known as "Japan's last hidden paradise".
Kouyu and Ai came to Shiretoko for this reason.
While exploring Shiretoko, the two saw many wild animals, and even encountered a real wild black bear.
This is an experience you could never have in a steel jungle like Tokyo.
After spending two or three days in Shiretoko, Kōyū and Ai began their journey home, planning to first visit Biei, then buy some souvenirs in Sapporo, and finally fly back to Tokyo.
March has arrived during our travels.
Spring arrived a little earlier than usual in Hokkaido this year.
Just after March, Guangyou noticed that the snow was already showing signs of melting.
When he and Ai went to Shiretoko for a stroll and arrived in Biei, the snow on the ground had melted, and the whole of Biei was full of vitality.
Biei is located in central Hokkaido, in the hilly area between the Uesugi Basin and the Furano Basin.
It's not a big place. Many people may know Hokkaido, but if you mention Biei, probably many people wouldn't know where it is.
It was small, tidy, beautiful, and quiet... or rather, a bit deserted.
Just like in many places, the younger generation who bring vitality to villages and towns have all gone to big cities like Tokyo to make a living.
Few people, few cars, and few streetlights...
The small town of Biei seemed to have fallen into a deep sleep.
Perhaps this is also why they came to travel during the off-season; there weren't many tourists to be seen.
Biei's tourism highlights include experiencing the natural scenery of the countryside by bicycle.
Although it is small, it has many beautiful views. You can slowly appreciate the scenery along the way by bicycle and stop whenever you want.
Another reason is that Biei's public transportation is not very developed.
There are train stations and an airport nearby, but don't expect sightseeing buses to tourist spots and Biei; even if there are, they are only available on holidays.
After paying to rent a bicycle with a seat, Kōyū carried Ai and followed the cycling route map given by the old man at the rental shop, traveling along the country roads of Biei to the first attraction.
Their first destination was Biei Blue Pond, also known as Shirogane Blue Pond.
The formation of Aoike dates back more than a decade.
More than a decade ago, in December, the active volcano Tokachidake erupted.
Several flood dikes were specially constructed to prevent damage from volcanic ejecta and mud.
One of the flood dikes was flooded, and the larch, birch and other trees that originally grew around it were gradually submerged and turned into dead trees.
This reservoir, originally intended to prevent mud from spreading, has by chance evolved into the Qingchi Pond we see today.
The Blue Pond is so attractive because of its sparkling, Tiffany blue waters and its ever-changing color.
The color of the lake water can change depending on the weather.
The weather was beautiful when they went there, and the blue pond was a dreamy blue.
Even Ai Haibara, who usually maintains a calm demeanor, couldn't help but murmur a sigh of admiration upon first seeing Aoike:
"What a nice view."
“Yes,” Guangyou couldn’t help but exclaim, “It’s so beautiful, it’s like someone deliberately dyed the water this color.”
Nature is truly amazing.
The pool is man-made, but the Blue Pool with its dreamlike colored water has absolutely no connection to humans.
After the discovery of the Blue Pond, many people studied the secret of its color.
The official speculation is that the water in the Shirasu Falls near Aoike contains aluminum hydroxide and other components, and these minerals produce a colloid when mixed with the stream water of Biei River.
When the gel is exposed to sunlight, the human eye will see this dreamlike color.
But whether it's true or not, neither Kousuke nor Ai knows.
They are just tourists and don't need to know that much.
There wasn't much to see around the Blue Pond. After looking at the pond for a few minutes and taking some photos, Kōyū and Aoi set off for their next destination.
Riding his bicycle along the country lanes, Guangyou took a deep breath of the fresh air and felt much more relaxed.
This atmosphere also affected Ai.
She sat on the back of the bicycle, one hand holding onto Guangyou's clothes, the other tucking a strand of hair that had been blown across her forehead by the wind behind her ear, and said:
"After coming here, I feel like I've forgotten all my worries."
"I feel carefree." Guangyou also deeply agrees.
Biei is truly a beautiful place, perfect for a slow-paced trip.
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