Every winter, the Mount Zao area of Japan is filled with many big and small snow-capped figures that resemble magical beings. These figures are locally known as juhyo, which means “snow monsters”. According to AccuWeather, a weather forecasting media company, these mesmerising figures are formed when a set of complex weather conditions occur together. The “snow monsters” come up when the high wind constantly blows snow and water particles through the conifer trees that surround the snow-capped hills of Mount Zao. This causes the snow and water droplets to solidify against the tree branches in different shapes. These shapes further take form when fresh snow falls over the trees—giving shape to a series of unique “snow monsters”. With the rise in temperature, these figures melt away just as the spring arrives. Tourists from around the world visit Mount Zao to see this winter attraction, which can be usually seen between January to mid-March. THE GATE, a website dedicated to travelling in Japan, says tourists can get an expansive view of juhyos through a ropeway ride that takes one from the foot of Mount Zao to the top of the mountain. The snow figures are often illuminated with coloured lights at night that gives them a mystical look. In winter, skiers and snowboarders share the slopes of Zao Onsen with the famous juhyo snow monsters: #ZaoOnsen #InsideJapan pic.twitter.com/GlB5MQrc5i — InsideJapan Tours (@InsideJapan) February 19, 2018 Mount Zao, Japan Frost-covered conifers, called Juhyo (‘snow monsters’), are illuminated by spotlights Photograph: Anadolu Agency pic.twitter.com/l5PjiEIOKN — Demforever (@rath_22) February 17, 2022 Frost-covered conifers, called Snow Monsters, Juhyo in Japanese, decorate the snowy landscape of Mount Zao 📸: David Mareuil pic.twitter.com/byKJVdHa36 — Anadolu Images (@anadoluimages) February 15, 2022 This phenomenon was explored in Calvin & Hobbes. pic.twitter.com/37ZKXWhv9R — Jerry Lock (@jlock17) February 20, 2022 Back in the day, I went snowshoeing with friends at Mt. Moriyoshi to see the Snow Monsters. I'm not much for skiing, but snowshoeing was fun! The gondola ride was nice, too. I miss winter in Japan 😭 pic.twitter.com/TA0qhEVl5K — Artic (@ArticTheDragon) February 21, 2022 Juhyo: The Snow Monsters on Japan’s Mount Zao Read more about the amazing snow monsters here: pic.twitter.com/QYk7ZeCdbF — The Goodlife Centre (@goodlifecentre) February 10, 2020 Juhyō, the snow covered trees of Japan, also known as Snow Monsters. pic.twitter.com/acBG7aUpJb — Present & Correct (@presentcorrect) January 10, 2022 The creation of juhyos entirely depends on a delicate balance of the right weather conditions. Experts believe that climate change and warmer winters can seriously shorten the appearance of the snow figurines or eliminate their occurrence altogether.
