Explore East Hokkaido
Frost flowers on the Kushiro River
A natural work of art made from snow and ice
This magical natural phenomenon only occurs on freezing mornings when the temperature falls below -15°C and the wind is calm. Frost flowers are formed when water vapor rises above the ice on the frozen lake and river, then turns to ice crystals itself and sticks to the ice. As this frost builds up, it takes on shapes that look like flowers blooming on the ice.