Snow monster festival at Mount Zao
At the summit, the Okama crater hides a majestic lake called "the lake with five colours", changing throughout the day depending on the light.
Emerald lake of Okama crater, hiking there is not to be missed
Then winter comes, and the entire landscape is covered with snow. Harsh winter brings heavy snowfall in this part of Japan, and mount Zao becomes one of the best skiing spot you can find in the country. There are many slopes, one of which is nearly 2 kilometres long, which are the delight of ski and snowboard enthusiasts. What could be better than relaxing in one of the many Onsen (hot volcanic springs) of Zao onsen after a sporting day in the mountain ?
Winter is also the season of one of the greatest snow festival of Tohoku, the north part of Japan. At the summit, heavy snow, cold wind, and frost cover the pines that become giant ice monsters as if they were one of the best creations of the american director, Tim Burton. This natural phenomenon is called "Juhyo" in Japanese or Ice trees. The festival takes place from December 28th to February 29th. During these dates, snow monsters are beautifully illuminated giving a supernatural atmosphere to the landscape at nightfall. The rest of the day, you can slide along the slopes surrounded by a landscape of natural giant sculptures.
