By Alex
Frozen lakes can serve as venues for ice-skating and ice fishing, but at Lake Notoro in Hokkaido, when temperatures drop low enough, you might also witness the spectacular sight of "ice bubbles" (Ice Bubble): beneath the crystal-clear ice, bubbles of varying sizes are instantly frozen in place by the cold, sometimes even forming strings that, when viewed as a whole, resemble an artistic installation.
▲Lake Notoro, Hokkaido (photo by taniko1212 @IG)
In winter, temperatures at Lake Notoro in Hokkaido can plunge to minus 25°C. In such extreme cold, the surface of the lake can freeze over instantly, trapping rising bubbles in the process. These bubbles originate from the lake bottom. Depending on the rate at which the bubbles are released and how quickly the surface freezes, the "ice bubbles" can sometimes look like giant balloons or at other times like strands of pearls—taking on a wide variety of forms, making them a popular subject for photographers and even drawing visitors specifically to see them.
▲Bubbles rising from the lake bottom are instantly frozen, forming "ice bubbles." (photo by takako_1024 @IG)
Seeing the "ice bubbles" also depends a bit on luck, as the lake surface is usually covered with snow, and sometimes the ice isn’t smooth enough—appearing frosted like ground glass—which can affect visibility. In fact, besides Lake Notoro, there are other spots in Hokkaido where you can see "ice bubbles," including Lake Akan in Kushiro City.
▲(photo by ryotanaturephoto @IG)
▲(photo by ziyun176 @IG)
▲(photo by kikuo_f_photography @IG)
▲(photo by Takao_key @Twitter)
▲(photo by waka_canon5d4 @Twitter)
▲(photo by yuki_tama_rar_s @Twitter)
▲(photo by F27152507 @Twitter)
▲(photo by yuki_tama_rar_s @Twitter)
▲"Ice bubbles" can also be seen at Lake Akan in Kushiro City. (photo by WiseCamera @Twitter)
▲(photo by WiseCamera @Twitter)
▲(photo by masashi.oyanagi @IG)
Source: My Modern Met