SUNSHINE SAKAE | Review by WANG

The moment I reached the summit of Mount Zao, it felt as if I had fallen straight into a gigantic white kingdom of snow and ice several degrees below freezing. Everywhere I looked was a fantastical world completely covered in thick snow and frost. The cold air felt icy as I breathed it into my lungs, but the incredibly spectacular sight before me was exciting enough to make me completely forget the cold.

I struck a cool pose for a photo beside the sign, with a brilliant blue sky and wildly drifting white clouds behind me. In the distance, the rolling mountain ranges were all dressed in thick white coats of snow, making the whole scene look unbelievably cool. The most famous sights here are Zao's juhyo, the strangely shaped snow monsters. The entire mountainside is densely covered with fir trees that have been completely transformed by snow and ice. From a distance, they look like countless gigantic white monsters standing silently in the snow. This extraordinary sight carved by the incredible power of nature is something you have to see with your own eyes to understand just how breathtaking it is.

As I trudged through the deep snow, I also happened upon the Zao Jizo statue, dressed in red, wearing a traditional straw hat, and holding a staff, though it was almost buried in the heavy snow. Seeing only half of its body exposed as it stood in the swirling snow was both sacred and a little amusing. Taking a photo beside it gave me a wonderfully exhilarating feeling of being on an adventure through nature's snowy landscape.

As the sunlight streamed down from high above, the snow and ice-covered trees reflected a dazzling silvery-white glow, making the entire mountaintop sparkle like a dream. Exploring this snowy alpine wilderness and witnessing the spectacular giant juhyo with my own eyes was definitely the most thrilling and unforgettable grand finale to a winter trip!

The most exhausting part of climbing Yamadera definitely isn’t the sore legs—it’s those more than 1,000 stone steps that seem to go on forever! Along the way, both sides are lined with towering cedar trees covered in thick snow and old-fashioned stone lanterns. As you climb and gasp for breath, you also have to watch whether the snow underfoot is slippery. But once you manage to reach the top, the view definitely makes all the effort feel worthwhile.

Looking down from beside the ancient temple next to the massive rocks, you can see endless snow-white mountains stretching to the horizon. The small town and rooftops below are all frosted with a layer of snow, and with the huge sun overhead and a cloudless blue sky, the whole scene is incredibly spectacular. The thrill of exploring an ancient mountain trail in the heavy snow while enjoying unbeatable views from the summit was definitely the most exhilarating and memorable snowy-country experience of the entire trip!

As I climbed the steps one by one, the snow crunched beneath my feet, and it was so quiet all around that I could even hear myself breathing. The surrounding trees had been transformed into strange shapes by the accumulated snow, like natural ice and snow sculptures. When I started getting a little out of breath, I stopped and looked back. The sunlight was falling perfectly across the snow and mountaintops, making them sparkle brilliantly. That feeling of being completely removed from the world really made me forget all my worries.

This experience of putting all your strength and willpower into seeing the beautiful scenery really will leave your legs completely worn out, but when you stand at the highest point overlooking the entire valley, the awe and exhilaration you feel are completely beyond words. If you want to experience Japan’s most authentic and breathtaking winter snowscapes, this is definitely a classic place to visit.

The moment I stepped into the Zuihoden grounds in Sendai, it felt like I had fallen into a hidden forest filled with history and mystery! Right in front of me was a wooden gate with a black lacquer base and incredibly ornate gold-leaf carvings. A striking red plaque bearing the three large characters for “Zuihoden” hung above it, while the gold decorations around it sparkled in the sunlight, perfectly showcasing Date Masamune’s commanding yet refined style of understated luxury.

I slowly wandered along the tranquil path tightly surrounded by towering trees. It was so quiet that all I could hear were my own footsteps, insects, and birds, and the air smelled incredibly fresh. As I walked, I suddenly came across distinctive, finely crafted bronze roof tiles carved with dragon heads. The eyes and scales were so lifelike and detailed that I couldn’t stop snapping photos.

A little farther ahead, an old-fashioned stone sutra tower stood quietly in the lush garden, surrounded by small stone Buddha statues that were both cute and solemn. The whole scene had a strong sense of traditional Japanese Zen. Around a bend, the intricately crafted main hall blended perfectly into the dense forest around it. The contrast of black wood and gold ornamentation looked especially sacred beneath the dappled shadows of the trees.

Being able to stroll at my own pace through a lush historic site without rushing through an itinerary felt so good! Admiring these incredibly well-preserved traditional crafts and ornate buildings along the way was not only a feast for the eyes but also allowed my mind to completely settle. It’s definitely the ultimate way to experience Sendai’s rich history and culture!