How tasteless—tourists actually spray-painted tree ice as souvenirs!

Tree ice forms when dense fog comes into contact with trees and instantly freezes. Currently, it only appears in Japan and a few other countries, making it an extremely rare natural phenomenon. (Image / Aomori Prefecture Tourism Information Website)

The Northern Hemisphere is in the depths of winter, with higher-latitude countries blanketed in snow, attracting many visitors to the silver landscapes. However, on the 14th of this month, at the famous snow-viewing spot Mount Hakkoda in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, some tourists used red spray paint to write on the pristine white snow—a highly unethical act that sparked widespread condemnation and has left local authorities deeply troubled.

The vandalism occurred at Mount Hakkoda, a renowned snow-viewing destination in Aomori Prefecture, the northernmost prefecture on Japan’s main island of Honshu. On the morning of the 14th, it was discovered that five tree ice formations near the Summit Park Station had been spray-painted with Chinese and English words such as “Congratulations” and “Happy Birthday.” According to eyewitnesses, two men and one woman were seen taking photos next to the painted tree ice, but since no one saw them actually spray-painting, it’s difficult to confirm if they were the culprits.

Although the local management promptly cleaned up the graffiti, once the photos spread online, many netizens expressed outrage over such uncivilized behavior.