The Large Pond in the North Tomakomai Research Forest, where the Boar God might live

This is a large pond that appears right at the entrance to Hokkaido University’s Tomakomai Research Forest. I was truly surprised to suddenly come across this view just a few minutes from a residential area. Furthermore, when I took a photo of the small island floating in the pond, I wondered if—once it got a little darker—this might be where a modern-day boar god returns home… So I adjusted the exposure and lowered the saturation for the first photo, and sure enough, it was the boar god’s dwelling. I could even hear San’s voice saying, “You’re smart—you’d better not climb onto that island.” Still, what a beautiful forest and pond. Although it’s on the research institute’s grounds, this area is open to the public, so it seems to serve as a place of relaxation for people living nearby. I’m so jealous.

Oike Pond in the Hokkaido University Tomakomai Research Forest