Unique to snow country! The charm of Mt. Moriyoshi in winter in Akita

Akita is hot even when it's cold

Winter in Akita Prefecture facing the Sea of ​​Japan. Endless snow piles up in the cold north wind. Winter in the snowy country of Akita is as harsh as ever. However, the harshness of winter is what makes Akita what it is today. And that winter is the true state of Akita. Although the temperature may be cold, we will tell you about the unique charms of winter in Akita that will warm your heart.

Flower Forest Yoshiyama

Mt. Moriyoshi stands at an altitude of 1454m in northern Akita Prefecture.
This old volcano has been selected as one of the ``100 Famous Mountains for Flowers'' because it is home to many alpine plants, such as the Japanese lily. There is Ani Ski Resort, which is a popular spot for skiers and snowboarders with its abundant snowfall and 3.5km long course. But you have to be careful. A terrifying monster only appears near the top of this mountain during the winter.

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

white monster/ice monster

The largest monsters are 10m long, and their bodies are covered in pure white snow, and they are often seen swarming around heading somewhere.
The true identity of the monster is "Juhyo". It is a beautiful natural structure created by the growth of ice on trees. At around 1200m on Mt. Moriyoshi, there is a cluster of Aomori fir trees that keep their leaves even in winter. The mechanism behind this is that supercooled water droplets called cloud particles in snow clouds freeze every time they collide with each other, creating a monster-like shape. Its appearance is exactly that of an "ice monster."

As I watched hundreds of them march downwind across the silvery plains as far as the eye could see, I felt as if they were about to start moving at any moment.
If you walk along the walking course and see it up close, you will be overwhelmed by its size and power. You are guaranteed to experience an extraordinary feeling as if you have wandered into a fantasy world.
Because frost-covered trees cannot form unless certain conditions are met, there are only a few places nationwide 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 this precious ice monster with your own eyes and skin.

How to meet the ice monster

Access to Mt. Moriyoshi and Ani Ski Resort is approximately 20 minutes by car from Aniai Station on the Akita Nairiku Line.
You can take a large gondola from Ani Ski Resort to Juhyodaira, where you can see frost-covered trees.
If the weather is good, from inside the gondola you can see a carpet of trees shining in silver and a magnificent view of the Oga Peninsula in the distance. When you arrive at the top of the mountain and get off the gondola, you will be greeted by countless ice monsters right in front of you.

Additionally, ``Night Rime Viewing Events'' are held regularly using snowmobiles.
Enjoy to your heart's content the ice monsters floating in the dark night under the star-filled sky that shines in the clear night sky of the winter mountains.