Japan is filled with many picturesque sites. But if you’re looking to visit a place that is straight out of a painting, Monet’s Pond in Gifu Prefecture will surely leave you in awe. Officially called Namonaki Ike (meaning ‘nameless pond’), this nature spot was given its nickname, inspired by French painter Claude Monet’s masterpieces, around 2015. It continues to grow in popularity on social media for its breathtaking beauty.
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The power of social media provided this site with well-deserved recognition
In the 90s, the pond wasn’t exactly kempt until nearby locals launched an initiative to cultivate the area. From then on, it has been maintained as an irrigation reservoir. While it wasn’t really intended to attract tourists, the location eventually started gaining traction because of social media posts. It’s still considered an off-the-beaten-path destination but it’s slowly getting more and more visitors in recent years.
No filters, no frills, just nature working its wonders
Monet’s Pond has clear waters from Mount Koga, which is made from rhyolite, a type of volcanic rock that is believed to produce incredibly clear spring water — so clear that even the slightest change in sunlight or any element it comes in contact with can alter how the water looks. Because of this, the pond’s water makes the colours of the natural aquatic flora really pop, giving it a painting-like appearance. On some occasions, the moss underneath the water grows abundant, giving the waters a hazy illusion that makes it even more mysterious and intriguing to look at.
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