Japan’s snow monsters: Travel tips, viewing options and winter highlights
Japan's Zao mountains turn into a landscape of "snow monsters" when fir trees accumulate rime ice and heavy snow. Let's explore more about this phenomenon.
New Delhi: Japan’s winter season brings a rare natural sight to the Zao mountains, where fir trees transform into towering white formations known as "snow monsters.” Locally called juhyo, these shapes form when freezing winds sweep in from Siberia, carrying moisture from the Sea of Japan. As this supercooled air hits the trees, layers of rime ice cling to branches and build up under steady snowfall. Over time, the trees become completely buried, creating large, sculpted shapes that stretch across the mountain slopes.
Travellers visit the region during peak winter to see these formations from the Zao ropeway, which provides views at different heights across the mountain. The landscape changes through the season, with early winter showing lighter ice coats and February offering the most dramatic snow monsters. Let’s explore more.
Winter highlights and travel activities
1. How snow monsters are formed
The appearance of Juhyo depends on a combination of cold winds, moisture and consistent snowfall. Winds from Siberia bring humid, freezing air across the mountains, causing water droplets to freeze instantly onto the trees. Snow then gathers over these layers, creating the familiar bulky shapes. The wind also shapes the outer surface, adding soft, flowing textures.
2. Best places and times to see them
The Zao mountains in Yamagata Prefecture are the main location for viewing. The strongest formations usually appear from late December to early March, with February offering the most striking landscapes. Travellers often ride the Zao ropeway, which allows access to multiple viewing points and higher elevations.
3. Night viewing and winter experiences
During the winter season, special night events illuminate the formations in blue, green or white light. Visitors can also explore night skiing routes or take guided snowcat tours at lower altitudes. These options offer quieter views of the slopes and a different atmosphere from daytime visits.
4. Travel tips for visitors
Weather conditions at the summit can be harsh, so warm and waterproof layers are essential. Ropeway tickets tend to sell out during peak weeks, and advance online reservations reduce waiting time. Travellers who prefer alternatives can explore night skiing zones or join local tour operators for short winter excursions.
Zao’s snow monsters combine winter landscapes with accessible viewing points, giving travellers a memorable look at one of Japan’s most unusual seasonal formations.