ARTICLES
A Photographer's Guide: 7 Must-See Winter Natural Phenomena in Hokkaido
Ready to witness the incredible art created by nature in the heart of Hokkaido's winter? Here, a professional photographer introduces seven of Hokkaido's most stunning winter phenomena that you should see at least once in your lifetime, complete with tips on how to capture them!
- Frost Flowers: Phantom Flowers That Bloom in Winter
- Ice Bubbles: A Cosmic Fantasy on the Lake's Surface
- Jewelry Ice: Sparkling Gems on the Coastline
- Diamond Dust: Dancing Fairies of Ice
- Shore Ice: Glass-Like Art Formed by Ice Shards
- Omiwatari: The Frozen Path Where Gods Walked
- Drift Ice: Winter's Messengers Covering the Sea
1
Frost Flowers: Phantom Flowers That Bloom in Winter
〈A Photographer's Perspective〉
This phenomenon occurs when moisture in the air freezes and crystallizes on a thin layer of ice that has formed on the water's surface. These "frost flowers" only bloom under specific conditions: no wind and temperatures below -15°C (5°F). They can only be seen for a short time in the morning before the temperature rises.
On a cold, windless morning, you might spot them on rivers and marshes. However, a famous spot for viewing them is Lake Akan in Akan-Mashu National Park, located in Eastern Hokkaido. The chances of seeing them here are high due to the perfect combination of conditions: hot springs bubbling up from the lakebed and the fact that it's a caldera lake surrounded by mountains.
2
Ice Bubbles: A Cosmic Fantasy on the Lake's Surface
〈A Photographer's Perspective〉
This phenomenon happens when gases released from decaying matter like fallen leaves at the bottom of a lake get trapped in the ice before reaching the surface. The bubbles, varying in size, stack up from the lakebed, creating a scene where time seems to stand still, much like a mini-universe. This can only be seen in winter when there is little snowfall.
You can observe them at Lake Nukabira in the Tokachi region and at Onneto in Akan-Mashu National Park. Depending on the conditions, they can also be seen during the freezing process at Lake Akan and other lakes.
3
Jewelry Ice: Sparkling Gems on the Coastline
〈A Photographer's Perspective〉
Blocks of ice from a frozen river near its mouth break off due to tides, flow into the sea, and are then washed ashore onto a nearby beach. Tumbled by the waves, the ice chunks lose their sharp edges and become like clear crystals. They sparkle beautifully in the sunlight, revealing various colors depending on the time of day and weather, just like precious jewels.
A famous spot for this is Toyokoro Town in the Tokachi region, but similar phenomena can occur in other parts of Eastern Hokkaido as well.
4
Diamond Dust: Dancing Fairies of Ice
〈A Photographer's Perspective〉
Officially known as ice crystals, this natural phenomenon is called "diamond dust" because it looks like a field of glittering diamonds dancing in the air. It occurs when water vapor in the atmosphere freezes at temperatures below -10°C (14°F), and these tiny ice crystals reflect the sunlight.
It's a rare sight that can only be witnessed under very specific conditions during the coldest part of winter: extremely low temperatures, clear skies, and no wind.
5
Shore Ice: Glass-Like Art Formed by Ice Shards
〈A Photographer's Perspective〉
This phenomenon occurs when thin sheets of ice on a lake's surface break apart during the freezing or thawing process and are pushed onto the shore by wind and waves. This creates a fantastical landscape that looks like sheets of glass piled on top of each other.
In Hokkaido, you can see this at places like Lake Kussharo in the eastern part of the island.
6
Omiwatari: The Frozen Path Where Gods Walked
〈A Photographer's Perspective〉
When a lake freezes over, the ice contracts due to falling temperatures, causing cracks to form. Then, as temperatures rise during the day, the ice expands and pushes up along these cracks. Omiwatari is a natural phenomenon created when this process repeats over several days, forming a ridge of ice that stretches from one shore to the other. The name comes from the belief that this path was created by gods crossing the lake.
While the legend of Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture is famous, this phenomenon can also occur in Hokkaido at Lake Toro in the eastern region.
7
Drift Ice: Winter's Messengers Covering the Sea
〈A Photographer's Perspective〉
Drift ice is formed when seawater freezes due to cold winds and is repeatedly carried away. These small ice fragments gather together to form large ice floes. The drift ice that forms near Sakhalin is carried south to Hokkaido by the cold north wind from Siberia.
The only place in Japan where you can see drift ice is along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk in Hokkaido. Famous spots include Shiretoko, Abashiri, and Monbetsu.
So, what do you think? These works of art can only be seen in the great, harsh winter of Hokkaido. Why not plan a trip and try your luck at witnessing these incredible sights?
