winter

Only in a snowy country! The charm of Mt. Moriyoshi in Akita in winter

Akita is hot even when it's cold

Winter in Akita Prefecture, facing the Sea of ​​Japan. Cold, raging north winds and endless piles of snow. Winter in the snowy country of Akita is harsh, as always. However, it is the harshness of winter that has made Akita what it is today. And it is this winter that defines Akita's true character. Although the temperature may be cold, we will introduce you to the unique charms of Akita's winter, which will warm your heart

Flower Forest Yoshiyama

Mount Moriyoshi, rising to an elevation of 1454m in northern Akita Prefecture, is an ancient volcano chosen as one of Japan's "100 Famous Flower Mountains" due to the abundance of alpine plants, such as Abies mariesii, that grow there.
The Ani Ski Resort is also located there, and its abundant snow and 3.5km long course make it a popular spot for skiers and snowboarders. However, caution is advised. A terrifying monster appears near the summit of this mountain only during the winter months.

By Rande (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

White Monster/Ice Monster

Larger specimens can reach 10 meters in length, and monstrous figures covered in pure white snow have been frequently sighted in groups, heading somewhere unknown. The true identity of these monsters is "rime ice," a natural beauty formed when ice accumulates and grows on trees.
Around 1200 meters on Mount Moriyoshi, there are clusters of Abies mariesii trees, which retain their leaves even in winter. Supercooled water droplets called cloud droplets, which are below -5°C in snow clouds, collide with these trees and freeze each time, creating monstrous shapes. Their appearance is truly that of an "ice monster."

Hundreds of these ice monsters march downwind across the vast, snow-covered plains, and as you watch, you almost get the feeling they could come to life at any moment. Walking along the trails and seeing them up close, you'll be overwhelmed by their size and power.
You're guaranteed to experience an otherworldly feeling, as if you've wandered into a fantasy world.
Because frost-covered trees can only form when several conditions are met, there are only a limited number of places in the country where you can see them. The
best time to see the frost-covered trees on Mt. Moriyoshi is from early January to early March.
Experience the overwhelming presence of these precious ice monsters with your own eyes and skin.

How to meet the Ice Monster

Access to Moriyoshiyama and Ani Ski Resort is about a 20-minute drive from Ani-ai Station on the Akita Inland Line.
You can reach Juhyo-daira, where you can see frost-covered trees, by taking a large gondola from Ani Ski Resort. If the weather is good, you can enjoy a magnificent view from inside the gondola, with a carpet of trees shining in silver and the Oga Peninsula in the distance.
And when you reach the summit and get off the gondola, you will be greeted by countless ice monsters in full force.

Additionally, a "Nighttime Ice Monster Viewing Tour" is regularly held, accessible by snowmobile.
Enjoy to your heart's content the ice monsters floating in the dark night sky under a sky full of stars shining in the clear winter mountains.

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