A rainbow in the rice paddy.
It's not a reflection of a rainbow in the sky, but apparently a prism effect caused by iron bacteria floating in the paddy.

Photo courtesy of @donchan1101

This single photo looks as if a rainbow has descended upon the surface of a rice paddy. The water's surface is adorned with a vibrant gradation of red, blue, and purple, creating a fantastical scene completely different from the usual rice fields we're used to seeing.

The post has garnered over 20,000 likes and sparked a huge reaction, with comments like, “I never knew this existed!”, “Absolutely stunning!”, “It's like something out of a fairy tale,” and “There's still so much I don't know...”

The 'Rainbow' is Actually a Light Interference Phenomenon Created by 'Iron Bacteria'

The scene during the photo shoot

The photographer is Tomohiro Tsuboi, who moved to Biei, Hokkaido, and now works in agriculture while publishing his photography and video works. The photo was taken on May 23, 2026, around 6:00 AM. Mr. Tsuboi commented on the experience, saying, “I knew this phenomenon could happen, but I was so happy to see it with my own eyes.”

At first glance, it might look like a rainbow in the sky reflecting on the water, but that's not the case. The rainbow-like colors are actually caused by a phenomenon called thin-film interference from a biofilm of “iron bacteria” floating on the paddy's surface. This thin film, which forms in iron-rich water environments, reflects light, and the interference of light waves creates the rainbow colors. It's a mystical sight that only appears when the conditions are just right, making it a very rare encounter.

Hokkaido is home to countless magnificent landscapes and famous tourist spots, but as this photo shows, incredible beauty can also be found hidden in ordinary rural scenes. Why not take a closer look at the everyday scenery around you and search for those unique, fleeting moments of breathtaking beauty?