A fantastic natural phenomenon that appears on the slopes of snowy mountains

Mount Zao (a mountain range) that rises on the prefectural border between Yamagata and Miyagi is one of Japan's 100 famous mountains. From spring to autumn, many people visit to enjoy trekking and mountain climbing. In winter, in addition to enjoying winter sports, many people head to the mountaintop in search of ''works of art created by nature.'' For tourists who don't have skis or snowboards, the main attraction is to see Zao's winter frost-covered trees. Every year, from late December to early March, the slopes of Mt. Zao (a mountain range) are covered in pure white trees covered in ice and snow. This is a rare sight that can only be seen when several natural conditions come together. In particular, the frost-covered trees that can be seen in Zao on the Yamagata side are first-class in scale and perfection. It is a spectacular view that is rare in the world. It is also called the ''snow monster'' because of its fluffy shape that seems to start moving at any moment.

Rime grows when water vapor and water droplets in the atmosphere collide with trees due to strong winds and freeze together with snow. Temperature, wind strength, and wind direction are also closely related, and even trees that grow naturally in the mountains would not have this mysterious shape unless they were Aomori fir (Aomori fir), which easily accumulates ice and snow. The harsh and unique environment creates a fantastic sight.