1.
rime ice on trees; frost-covered trees; ice monsters
A natural phenomenon where supercooled water droplets freeze on contact with tree branches, coating them in layers of white ice. Creates dramatic, sculptural formations that are a popular winter tourist attraction in Japan.
A compound of 樹 (tree) and 氷 (ice). The most famous 樹氷 in Japan are found at 蔵王 in Yamagata Prefecture, where they are nicknamed 樹氷モンスター or "snow monsters" (アイスモンスター). They form when strong winds carry supercooled water droplets from the Sea of Japan onto mountain trees.
Common collocations
- 樹氷を見に行く: to go see the frost-covered trees
- 樹氷原: a field of frost-covered trees
- 樹氷ライトアップ: illuminated frost trees (tourist event)