# Exploring Japan's Astonishing Snow Monsters > Ice-encased trees morph into eerie giants. Here's when to visit Zao Onsen and how to see Japan's famous snow monsters for yourself. - URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/yssleduite-vpechatliaiushchykh-snezhnkh-monstrov-yaponyy/ - Language: en - Published: 2025-04-11 - Categories: Hotels, Japan, Mountain, Skiing, Food & Drinks, Relaxation --- As the cable car climbs the mountain in Japan's Yamagata Prefecture, the snow-covered conifers below begin to transform, taking on a more massive appearance as their green coats disappear beneath a blanket of white. Before long they become unrecognizable, buried completely under fluffy drifts of snow. The noise inside the car rises by a few decibels. Passengers raise their voices in excitement, snowboards and skis scrape across the floor as riders shuffle around to grab a better view of the incredible landscape below. It's a typical reaction among those meeting the legendary "snow monsters" of Zao Onsen for the first time, or "juhyo" in Japanese. The excitement builds as passengers step off the car and set out to explore the mysterious figures up close, some on foot, others clutching their gear, ready to glide among the monsters on the way down the mountain. The juhyo phenomenon is the result of some fairly harsh weather systems. When the notorious heavy winter storms sweep across the Zao mountain range, carried in on the Siberian jet stream, the trees on the upper reaches of certain peaks begin to gather thick, juicy layers of snow and ice. Eventually the trees freeze into astonishing shapes, the very forms that turned this tiny village into a popular winter destination. Much like gazing at clouds, part of the fun of exploring Zao's snow monsters lies in that old game of "what do you see," a snowy version of the Rorschach test. The snow-covered trees stand defiantly, striking poses that resemble everything from a cougar frozen mid-roar to a white witch pointing a long, bony finger at the blue sky on the horizon. Many of them are grotesquely beautiful, worthy of a role in a Tim Burton film. ## Growing popularity among foreigners While the area is popular with tourists from Asia, Western ski enthusiasts have traditionally been few and far between. That's slowly changing, says Lindell Keating, co-director of Powderhounds.com, an online guide to powder skiing that also offers ski and snowboard tours around the world, including in Japan. "Zao is definitely growing in popularity with foreigners," Keating says. "Seven years ago we didn't see any other gaijin \[foreigners\], and no one in the restaurants or at our hotel spoke English. While it isn't as well known as many other Japanese ski resorts for foreigners, such as Niseko, Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen and Myoko Kogen, they're certainly more visited now, and English has become more common." Admittedly, Zao Onsen may not be the first choice for those chasing fresh powder and world-class ski runs. ![](/storage/image/prev/september-article-image-112-1-2024.jpg) But it offers one of the easiest ways to see snow monsters, which also appear in other parts of Japan, though often requiring considerable effort to reach. "If you haven't seen them before, they can look impressive and quite dramatic," Keating says. "What sets Zao apart from other places is that there are so many snow monsters in peak season that non-skiers can easily see them, that they hold evening illuminated sessions, and that there's a run that goes right through them." ## Where the land of the snow monsters lies To reach the snow monsters, visitors board two connected enclosed ropeways, the first of which starts from the main ropeway base of the Zao ski resort. For skiers and snowboarders, ropeway access is included in the Zao ski resort lift pass. For hikers, there's a separate round-trip ticket. Once at the top, walking visitors can step out from the observation deck into a rope-fenced section and roam freely among the snow monsters. Those planning to ski down the mountain head left toward a separate trail that connects with the other runs of the Zao ski resort. The observation center has restrooms and a cafeteria-style restaurant. ## Tips for skiers and snowboarders ![](/storage/image/prev/september-article-image-112-2-2024.jpg) The Zao ski resort, spread across several peaks, is a mid-size resort perfectly suited to beginners and intermediate riders. Its longest descent is a 10-kilometer stretch that begins near the snow monster observation deck. There are 42 lifts here, three ropeways, one cable car and 37 chairlifts, though their layout "isn't particularly ideal, and in some spots you may need to push or skate," Powderhounds says in its review of the resort. Overall, though, it's a great spot for anyone looking for an excellent day of riding in beautiful scenery. The trail leading down from the snow monsters isn't for beginners, which means visitors keen to ski among them should first assess their own ability. "The scariest thing about the snow monsters is that a lot of ski tourists love to head down this trail, even if they're only beginners (it's an intermediate-level trail). You have to keep your wits about you," Keating says. And, of course, keep in mind that there's a reason the trees look the way they do: the weather can be brutal. So, whenever possible, plan your trip around the forecast. Some slopes are open for night skiing, except for the trail leading down from the snow monsters. Lessons are available, though anyone who needs an English-speaking instructor is advised to book in advance. Gear rentals can be found both at the ski resort and in various shops around Zao Onsen, as well as at some of the larger hotels. This includes snowboards, skis, jackets and pants. Some shops also rent helmets and goggles, though helmets aren't mandatory on the slopes. The quality and price of the gear vary. ## The village of Zao Onsen Zao Onsen itself is a small, walkable mountain village with enormous charm, offering a classic small-town experience in Japan. Because it's an onsen (hot spring), the air carries a strong scent of sulfur, a smell that can either delight or repel depending on individual taste. Beyond a handful of public onsen, some hotels have their own hot spring facilities. Accommodation options range from small hotels to a few larger resorts, such as Zao Shiki no Hotel, where guests can choose between traditional Japanese or Western rooms. ![](/storage/image/prev/september-article-image-112-3-2024.jpg) Breakfast and dinner are included in the room rate at some places to stay. If you're lucky, you'll get a serving of the phenomenal Yonezawa beef, raised in the same prefecture. The village has several quality restaurants serving classic Japanese dishes, along with traditional izakaya-style bars. Need a break from Japanese food? The charming Craftbeer&Pizza Quantum serves delicious pizza, has an excellent beer selection and plays snowboarding videos. But if you're after nightlife, you'll have to make your own fun. This isn't a party town, and the streets are fairly empty once the sun goes down. Even so, a walk after dark is well worth it. After nightfall, Zao Onsen takes on an eerie atmosphere all its own, with steam from the onsen waters rising in great white plumes from the drains and streams that flow down the town's hilly slopes. In some spots the steam is lit up in a range of colors. How to get there and when to go Zao Onsen is worth staying three nights, which gives you plenty of time to combine a bit of skiing, soaking in the hot springs and exploring the snow monsters. If possible, go on weekdays: we had the mountain to ourselves, with no lift lines. Weekends are a different story. The best time to see the monsters is from late January to early March, before the warmth of spring creeps in. From January 27 to March 4, the ropeways run from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for those who want to see the snow monsters illuminated at night. The easiest way to reach Zao Onsen is by train and bus. Express trains run directly from Tokyo to Yamagata Station throughout the day. The trip takes a little over 2.5 hours. Some resorts offer a transfer straight from Yamagata Station, which is about 16 kilometers away. Otherwise, buses depart every hour for Zao Onsen, and the journey takes around 40 minutes. At Yamagata Station, follow the signs to the main exit and turn left toward the bus terminal, which is part of the same building.