Snow Monsters Gather, Freezing the Jizo King

Taking the cable car up to Mount Zao, the world around you gradually becomes blanketed in thick snow. Upon reaching the summit, you're surrounded by thousands of 'snow monsters'—trees sculpted by ice and snow. This is the legendary snow-covered forest ❄️, so spectacular it feels like stepping onto another planet. Continuing upward, you encounter the quietly standing Jizo Bodhisattva. Almost entirely buried in ice and snow, only its faint outline is visible, as if silently watching over climbers amidst the harsh winds and snow. In that moment, despite the biting cold that numbs your nose and freezes your fingers 🥶, a strange sense of peace fills your heart. Winter in Zao is both majestic and sacred, cold yet full of power. Witnessing this scene with your own eyes is truly worth it! A must-visit at the end of the year—step into a snowy wonderland☃️