An icy winter has transformed the tall trees of the Zao mountain range into wonderous snow sculptures, known as “juhyo,” or “snow monsters,” and conditions are now perfect to see them.

“Juhyo” ice monsters ... on Mount Kaminodake, aka Kitanomatadake, in Toyama Prefecture in 1923. It is one of the oldest known photos of juhyo, second only to the one shot on the Zao mountain ...

At Zao Onsen ... formed when snow and ice repeatedly stick to Maries' fir trees on Mount Jizo, which is 1,736 meters high. Standing over 4 meters tall, they are called "ice monsters." ...