Zao Snow Monsters

Between late December and early March, Siberian winds carry supercooled moisture that freezes onto Maries' fir trees on Mount Zao, gradually building them into towering, lumpen figures of ice and snow called juhyo. The formations reach their peak size around mid-February and can grow several meters tall. The Zao Ropeway carries visitors up to 1,661 meters, passing directly over the juhyo forest for close aerial views. On select evenings from late December through February, colored lights illuminate the snow monsters after dark for a visually striking night event. Zao Onsen in the valley below offers hot spring baths and ski runs for a full winter day.