Surrounded by lush forests on all sides and untouched by human civilization, the heart-shaped Lake Toyoni is a hidden gem among Japan’s many tourist attractions.

Until a few years ago, Lake Toyoni was virtually unknown to most Japanese, but a popular television commercial showing an aerial view of the heart-shaped natural wonder made it a popular tourist spot practically overnight. tomorrow. The internet is full of digitally altered heart-shaped lakes, but Toyoni is one of the few, if not the only one, in the world that is actually this shape, so when people found out it was real, they flocked to the island. from Hokkaido to see the natural wonder for themselves.

Originally known as Kamuito, or “A Swamp Where a God Lives,” the 30-hectare emerald lake eventually received its current name in honor of nearby Mount Toyonidake. Today, most people know it as “Heart Lake” because of its unique shape.

Seeing Lake Toyoni from the air is always a breathtaking experience, but the best time to enjoy the stunning aerial view is in mid-autumn, when the surrounding green forest changes to various shades of red and brown. A local company runs a helicopter tour over the lake in the month of October.

While flying is the most popular way to experience Japan’s heart-shaped lake, some people prefer the serenity of its shores. To reach its calm emerald waters, tourists have to walk into a deep forest, part of a wildlife sanctuary.

For more stunning natural wonders, visit the unique limestone pools of Tuscany and Russia’s Big Stone River.