Snow Monsters of Mount Zao: A Winter Wonderland in Yamagata

Mount Zao in Yamagata, Japan, is a well-loved ski resort mostly frequented by locals — a hidden gem compared to big names like Hokkaido or Gala Yuzawa. I first heard about it from a friend who studied there, and she introduced me to something unique: the mysterious “snow monsters” (juhyo).

These snow monsters are actually trees covered in thick layers of snow and ice, shaped by freezing winds from Siberia. They start forming in December, peak in February, and slowly fade by March — making them a rare natural wonder found only in a few parts of Japan.

When I visited in late January, the snow wasn’t at its peak, but still mesmerizing. The deep snow sometimes reached up to my thighs, and the whole mountain was wrapped in fog that came and went. Every time the sky cleared, I rushed out of the café to snap photos before the mist rolled back in.

For someone from tropical Malaysia, standing among these ghostly snow figures felt surreal — an unforgettable winter experience.

#travel#naturalwonders#thingstodo#myitinerary

Post by OMAR AL-ATTAS | Aug 21, 2025