Frost flowers. It's probably not a very familiar term. Have you seen them in photos or books and wanted to learn more?

Frost flowers blooming on the lake can only be seen on the crisp, cold mornings of mid-winter.
These ice crystals, resembling flowers, can only be seen from December to March when Lake Akan in eastern Hokkaido is covered in ice.

This breathtaking scene of snow and ice is not yet widely known, as it was discovered after the release of a book about breathtaking scenery that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime, but it's sure to be included in future publications!

We'll introduce it in detail, along with some of our best photos!

What are frost flowers?

As night falls, frost crystals form on the frozen surface of a lake. From around midnight, as the temperature drops, these crystals gradually swell, becoming ice flowers the size of a palm. These are called frost flowers.

The conditions for this flower to grow are temperatures of around -15°C or lower and very little wind. While this might seem difficult to achieve under normal circumstances, half of the winter months at Lake Akan in Hokkaido are like this.

Due to its Pacific coast climate, Lake Akan experiences extremely cold temperatures due to radiative cooling, even more so than other parts of Hokkaido. Furthermore, its altitude exceeds 400 meters, and Lake Akan is located in a large caldera, making the cold even more intense.

Furthermore, thanks to this caldera, the surrounding mountains block the wind, making it an ideal, miraculous condition for ice formation.

The reason why frost flowers can be seen at Lake Akan - The conditions for a miracle -

Furthermore, December is the perfect season to see (and appreciate) frost flowers.

This phenomenon is only possible on a frozen surface; frost crystals cannot grow on snow. Therefore, it is rarely seen when snow accumulates on the frozen lake surface, and in many lakes, it is a phenomenon that only occurs at the beginning of the cold season, such as in December. However, here at Lake Akan, another miracle occurs.

That's because Lake Akan is a caldera lake, originally a large crater. Hot springs and springs gush out from the bottom of the lake.

Thanks to this, the frozen Lake Akan has holes scattered all over it, known as "yu-tsubo" (hot spring pools). In the morning, a thin layer of ice forms on these hot spring pools, creating the same conditions as in December.

Therefore, Lake Akan is the only place where you can see these frost flowers until early March.

The life cycle of a frost flower

These ice flowers have a very fleeting fate. In the morning, if someone approaches and breathes on them, they melt in an instant, returning to the lake like sugar candy. On the other hand, flowers that are lucky enough to grow until morning can grow to about the size of a palm.

It's unbelievable that ice crystals can grow this large. Even more so, the sight of them standing in abundance on the lake like a corsage, creating a field of flowers, is truly an unbelievable and miraculous spectacle.

But even though they grow overnight, a gentle breeze in the morning can instantly shatter the crystalline flowers. When they fall onto the lake ice, still retaining their flower shape, the fleeting life of the frost flower is revealed, like a pressed flower created by the wind.

The shape of a frost flower

While many frost flowers grow large, like roses, they can also develop as a single petal depending on the conditions of the ice surface and wind. Because this resembles a bird's feather, it's called a frost wing.

These feathers grow larger and sideways, resembling a swan's dropped feather, and their delicate lines, like those of a real feather, give them a beautiful appearance.

There are also many flowers that remain small, like buds. Ordinary flowers always bloom after budding, but if a frost flower is still a bud in the morning, it will simply wither away. Each day is its lifetime, and if it doesn't grow, it's over. What a harsh life it is, isn't it?

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Beginners should consider signing up for a tour and seeing it with an expert.

Frost forms in the forests surrounding Lake Akan almost every morning. Frost flowers bloom beneath the frost... it's a truly magnificent sight. It feels as if the entire area is enveloped in a work of ice art.

Every day, this flower moves according to the wind direction, temperature, and conditions. Furthermore, as I mentioned at the beginning, there are hot springs and many holes in Lake Akan, and this flower blooms in those places.

Chasing after frost flowers is extremely dangerous, as there is a risk of falling into holes. Solo frost flower watching on Lake Akan is extremely risky.

Therefore, the Akan Tourism Association offers tours where guides who are intimately familiar with the hot spring veins of Lake Akan will track down the location and guide you there. This tour aims to fulfill your desire to see frost flowers safely and with a high probability of success.
(A scene from an early morning tour, walking on the lake wearing snowshoes)

The probability of seeing frost flowers is 30%, but if you consider the location and conditions, it increases to 40%. Blizzards occur periodically about once a week. The days before and after these blizzards are warmer, making it less likely for frost flowers to form, but if it's a sunny day in the middle of the cycle, the probability becomes over 50%.

In any case, it's a moment caused by a miracle of nature, so it doesn't happen all the time, but it doesn't happen only once a year either. Just like watching the aurora borealis, it's best to stay for about two nights to try and catch it.

For more information, please contact the Akan Tourism Association (0154-67-3200).
Examples: Early morning walking tour 2,000 yen (60 minutes) / Akan Forest & Lake Walk 3,000 yen (120 minutes)

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