Snow Monster, or Japanese language called Juhyo, is in Zao Onsen Town, Yamagata Prefecture.
Ju Hyo or the snow monster is The snow covered the forests of the large pine trees on the mountain top and when the weather became very cold it became ice. Changing the shape of the strange pine tree to the extent that it is a work of art of nature. Snow Demon Field is a rare natural phenomenon. There are only 2-3 spots in Japan, Hokkaido in Aomori, and here in Zao, Yamagata Prefecture where Zao is the most famous spot in Japan.
There are 3 factors affecting the occurrence of the Snow Demon Field. 1. Must be a pine species. Aomori-todomatsu Which is a pine that does not have leaves that are green throughout the year Growing on a high peak. 2. Snow must be a point where the snow is not too heavy or too little. Because if too heavy the pine tree will not turn on or if too little The snow won't shape itself. 3. The wind must have a strong enough power to blow evenly to capture the accumulation continuously. Until the appearance of various forms called "Hyo" (樹 氷) in Japanese or Snow monsters (sure enough)
+ The period of time that can watch Snow Monster is divided into 4 periods
- December (Early Stage) The snow begins to fall as the formation period.
- January (Growth Stage) snow began to form in the shape of shrimp tail.
- February (Golden Stage) is the largest snow monster.
- March (Declining Stage) snow starts to melt and Snow Monster starts to decrease
The cable car has 2 floors. The first floor is called Juhyokogen Station. Anyone can take a walk here, but there are not many Snow Monster like on the second floor called Jizo Sancho Station. On the top there is a warm room to sit and watch the view of Snow Monster. Walk to knock the bell And worshiping Jicho Guardian of the Zao Mountains
For anyone planning to watch the Snow Monster, Snow Monster recommends dressing up in a full-length shirt, pants should be windproof, can be gloves, shoes, scarves, hats, earflaps, masks to cover the face should be prepared. If encountering a day with strong wind and poor preparation, it will be very cold.
Open-close time
Normal time period: 08.30-17.00
Light up: 17.00 - 21.00 hrs. (Last lift 19:50 hrs.)
Round trip basket fare 2,800 yen, children 1,400 yen
(On some days with bad weather, the cable car may be closed. Cannot go up to see the Snow Monster)
* travel
- from Tokyo Station - Yamagata Station
Take the Shinkansen train. The journey takes around 3 hours. The ticket costs about 12,000 yen.
- from Yamagata Station - Zao Onsen Station
40 minute bus ride (bus fare of 1,000 yen each, buy a package worth more)
* Can use the JR Rail Pass, JR East Pass (Tohoku area), JR East – South Hokkaido Rail Pass, JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass (Every pass does not include a bus ticket to Zao Onsen).
Upon arriving at Yamagata Station, walk out through the East Exit. Go down the stairs into the ticket office to buy a round-trip bus ticket + ticket to take a cable car to see the Snow Monster for 4,100 yen / person (buy in a cheaper package than buy Get a ticket, then walk to wait for the bus at bus stop no. 1 when reach Zao Onsen station, walk out the gate, turn right Continue straight for about 10 minutes to reach Zao Ropeway. Bring the tickets we bought in the package to exchange the actual tickets at the ticket booth. And then can walk to wait for the cable car
Coordinates: https://goo.gl/maps/MjaTNabkyhkJ22oQA
Mount Zao tourist information
http://www.zao-spa.or.jp/english/access/
http://www.miyagitheme.jp/…/mai…/area_db_e/ad_zao/ad001_zao/
http://zaoropeway.co.jp/en/
http://www.zao-spa.or.jp/english/ski/
