This is one of the places I recommend visiting at least once in your lifetime!
At first, I had only seen photos online and wasn't that interested in Zao's juhyo, but after seeing them in person, I was completely amazed by nature's incredible handiwork.
While doing research before the trip, I read online that juhyo form when winter snow and ice freeze onto trees and continue to accumulate, eventually transforming conifer forests high in the mountains into a fantastical landscape resembling snow monsters. Such a spectacular sight requires very unique climatic and natural conditions, so there are actually very few places in the world where juhyo can be seen. Luckily, Japan, which is very close to Taiwan, happens to have one. Before I left, everyone who had been there told me, “Make sure to dress warmly! Otherwise, your fingers and toes might just fall off along the way.”
(In the end, my fingers and toes didn't fall off, but one of my eyeglass lenses did. Fortunately, a kind woman helped me find it. I'm not sure if it was because of the cold, but it was very difficult to get the lens back into the frame. Once we got down the mountain, though, it wasn't a problem. If you wear glasses, I suggest switching to contacts to reduce fogging and the risk of losing your glasses.)
We went in February, right when the juhyo are at their most spectacular (though if you're unlucky enough to encounter a blizzard, visibility will be much lower). Fortunately, the blizzard we encountered wasn't too severe. Although it was unbelievably cold, we could still clearly see the snow monsters before us.
You really need to dress warmly! A waterproof jacket and snow boots are essential, and I also strongly recommend waterproof gloves. I even put foot warmers under my feet.)
Before leaving, we booked the ropeway and the nighttime snowcat tour, “Juhyo Fantasy Corridor.” I highly, highly recommend this tour! The snowcat was a little crowded, and the ride was quite bumpy, but the scenery along the way was so fantastical that it's hard to describe. Every snow monster had a completely different shape. As I looked at them, I thought—the snow monsters are just like us: every person is a one-of-a-kind presence in this world.
The snowcat takes everyone to a designated spot (I'm not sure if it's where the lighting looks best, but I thought it was the most beautiful), and then you get off and have about ten minutes of free time (maybe they don't let you stay out long because they're afraid everyone will freeze to death), allowing you to truly immerse yourself in the dreamlike snowy scenery. If you're not afraid of the cold, you can also try rolling around in the snow. The snow is icy cold and feels soft and fluffy, and because the temperature is so low, it doesn't melt easily. Even after rolling around in it, your clothes are still dry when you get up!
This trip to see the Zao juhyo completely changed my original impression that they “looked just okay in photos.” Some scenery really has to be seen with your own eyes before you can understand just how incredible nature can be.
Juhyo (Rime) in Zao (Yamagata Prefecture) | Review by Star
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One of the must-do things when visiting Japan is searching for the local giant Pocky. Each place has its own flavor, and so far I’ve tried melon, milk, strawberry, grape, and more. I want to travel all over Japan and try every Pocky flavor.
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This is said to be the largest MUJI in Hokkaido, and it’s also the largest MUJI I’ve ever visited! It’s very convenient to get to, right next to the Goryokaku-Koen-mae tram stop. I originally thought I’d just browse around before going to Goryokaku, but once I went inside, I couldn’t stop. They really have everything, and the selection is so extensive that you’ll want to look carefully through every section. I had been searching for naan mix for a long time, and they actually had a huge amount of it here. I also finally found canvas sneakers in the right size, which I hadn’t been able to find anywhere else.
And it’s not just MUJI. There’s also a large, fun-to-browse Loft on B1, with a very complete selection of household goods, beauty products, stationery, accessories, and more. I had originally planned to spend only an hour here, but before I knew it, I had completely lost track of time. It took me about half a day to finally leave Share Star. A large part of what I spent during my few days in Hakodate went toward shopping here. If you already enjoy browsing MUJI and Loft, I really recommend adding this place to your Hakodate itinerary. -
