Mt. Moriyoshi (Juhyo)
A ski mountain in northern Akita with the densest concentration of juhyo (frost trees) in Japan — every February the rime-coated fir trees look like thousands of white monsters emerging from the snow.
2–4 hours
Gondola ¥1,400 (one-way) / ¥2,000 (round-trip)
Gondola: 9:00–16:00 (last ascent 15:00) in winter tree-ice season (approx. Jan–early Mar); summer hiking Jul–Oct; gondola may run on weekends in summer.
January–March (juhyo); July–August (alpine flowers)
Shared taxi from Takanosu area (advance reservation required); approx. 60 min — no regular bus service
Location
Why Visit
- 1
The juhyo season (January–March) creates snow-encased trees standing as tall as 4 metres
- 2
A gondola rises through the cloud of frost trees to a summit viewpoint above them all
- 3
Night snowshoe tours wind between glowing frost trees under clear winter stars
- 4
Alpine flowers replace snow monsters in July–August, coating the upper slopes
Local Tips
The 'snow monsters' (juhyo) — trees encased in ice and snow — form December to February and are unique to Mt Moriyoshi and Mt Zao. The gondola rides through the juhyo field is one of Akita's most remarkable winter experiences. Book gondola tickets in advance for weekends in January–February.
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