Witness tens of thousands of snow monsters take over the mountaintops—the last chance this season to see Yamagata’s Juhyo (frost-covered trees)!

▲ Japanese Juhyo shrouded in mist, adding an air of mystery. (Photo by reporter Chen Rui-zhong)

By Chen Rui-zhong, reporting from Japan

Every winter, strange-shaped “ice monsters” appear on Mount Yudono in Yamagata City, Japan. These eerie formations stand guard over the mountaintop like icy warriors protecting Princess Elsa’s castle from Frozen, stretching across the slopes for kilometers. Though they may look terrifying, these spectacular ice formations are none other than the famous Juhyo of Mount Zao.

See more Juhyo photos＜＜＜＜＜＜Click here

Each Juhyo tree stands about 2–3 meters tall, each with its own unique posture. Looking out over the slopes, thousands of frost-covered trees create a surreal atmosphere. Up close, some Juhyo resemble giant mushrooms, others a hunched old man, while wind-swept snow patterns and, most commonly, bizarre monster-like shapes can be seen.

▲ A cable car ride offers views of the endless Juhyo wonderland.

So when German directorArnold Frankvisited Mount Zao and saw the Juhyo in 1936, he was deeply amazed,naming them “Ice Monsters.” Through his film, the Juhyo gained international fame and became known as the “snow monsters.”

▲ Japanese Juhyo.

The true formation of Juhyo occurs when the area’s coniferous forests are battered by wind and snow in winter. Snow accumulates layer upon layer on the branches until the entire tree is encased, forming the unique Juhyo of Mount Zao.

▲ Each Juhyo bears delicate traces of wind and snow.

For Juhyo to form, a combination of snowfall, snow quality, wind speed, and weather conditions is required. Too much wet, heavy snow can collapse the trees, while too little prevents the structures from forming. A sudden heavy rain can also melt all the Juhyo. That’s why every year, many tourists flock to Mount Zao just to witness this natural spectacle. The manager of Zao Onsen Hotel, Morihiko Horiike, revealed that Juhyo are a vital tourism asset for Zao. Professor Yanagisawa from Yamagata University has been visiting Zao to see the Juhyo for 30 consecutive years without fail—he’s truly a super fan.

▲ Zao Ski Resort is a famous ski destination in Japan, and one of its highlights is skiing alongside Juhyo.

Horiike also noted that the main Juhyo season typically runs from December to the end of February, gradually melting as temperatures rise. But this year, a blizzard hit Zao in early March, and under the force of the storm, the ice monsters made a dramatic return, giving visitors one last chance to see this year’s Juhyo spectacle. As temperatures rise and rain falls, these monsters will eventually melt back into the earth—until they reappear again at year’s end.

▲ The wide variety of Juhyo formations is truly a breathtaking sight.

Zao hosts a lively Juhyo Festival every year, with nighttime illumination. Since Zao also offers winter activities like skiing and hot springs, the Juhyo season is especially bustling. Horiike recommends that travelers plan their accommodation and itinerary in advance to fully enjoy the Juhyo’s beauty both day and night.

▲ As temperatures rise and rain increases, Juhyo are usually hard to see after March.

Travelers hoping to see the Juhyo should plan a visit during the peak season from December to February. Take the Zao Ropeway’s foothills line and summit line to reach the Juhyo viewing areas. As the Juhyo are located within Zao Ski Resort, skiing enthusiasts can also enjoy the unique thrill of gliding through the ice monster forest.

See more Juhyo photos＜＜＜＜＜＜Click here

Juhyo Information
Location: Zao Onsen Area, Yamagata City, Japan
Time: December to the end of February
Cost: Mountain Ropeway Ticket – 2,500 JPY (approx. NT$668)