Discover Magical Rime Ice in the Mountains of Matsusaka

• Table of Contents
• What is Rime Ice?
• Where to See Rime Ice in Matsusaka
• summary

What is Rime Ice?

You may
already be familiar with rime ice if you’ve ever found peculiar, artistic ice
formations after an especially cold and windy night, or in cold places with
severe weather like on the peaks of mountains. Rime ice is formed by extremely cold
water droplets that instantly freeze onto surfaces, like tree branches or hand
rails. Often described as resembling frosty feathers or scales, rime ice forms exclusively
where the temperatures, wind speeds, and moisture levels align just right.
These unique formations can make trees that lose their foliage in fall look
like they’ve grown new frosty leaves in the winter.

Extreme
weather conditions and wind patterns, especially at higher elevations, may cause
the rime ice to build up into thick formations that can last for days to even
weeks, even lasting through sunny weather. If you’re lucky, you may be treated
to a glittering rime ice forest under the sunshine on certain mountaintops.

▲Rime ice on the top of Mt. Takami.

▲Rime ice on the top of Mt. Miune, with a view of
the surrounding peaks.

Rime ice
formations are a fascinating sight during winter in Matsusaka, when the mountain
peaks are covered in forests of frost. After a snowy hike to the top, you can warm
yourself up with some hot ramen, or build a couple of snowmen as you take in
the view of the rime ice and the surrounding peaks.

Where to See Rime Ice in Matsusaka

You might
find rime ice on the following peaks in Matsusaka around December to February:

Mt. Takami

【Highest
Point】1248.4 m

【Getting
There】Take National Route 166 off the Matsusaka
Interchange and drive west for about 90 minutes. 15 parking spaces are available
at the Mt. Takami Trailhead Parking lot.

Mt.
Miune

【Highest
Point】1235.2 m

【Getting
There】Take National Route 166 off the Matsusaka
Interchange and drive west to the Fukumoto Trailhead (70 minute drive, 10
parking spaces), the Tsukide Trailhead (90 minute drive, 10 parking spaces), or
the Yuriware Trailhead (80 minute drive, 5 parking spaces).

Mt.
Hinokizuka

【Highest
Point】1404.2 m

【Getting
There】Take National Route 166 off the Matsusaka
Interchange and drive west for about 85 minutes. 5 parking spaces are available
at the Kiyadani Rainfall Observatory Parking Lot.

Watch the
scenery change as you ascend each mountain and discover a variety of delightful
snow and ice formations along the hike.

▲The snowy trail up Mt. Miune.

summary

Celebrate
the beauty of winter on the Matsusaka mountaintops where you can discover the
magic of snowy trails and rime ice.

Please
note that roads and trails may be covered in snow and ice, so be sure to check
weather and road conditions in advance. Hikers should exercise extra caution
and prepare proper clothing and equipment for severely cold, windy, and snowy
conditions.

Learn
more about the mountains of Matsusaka at the Matsusaka Kahada Eleven website
below.

About Matsusaka Kahada Eleven

You can
find out more about events, sights, and things to do and see in Matsusaka at
the links below.

Matsusaka City Tourism Information Site

Matsusaka City Tourism Information Official Instagram