The Snow Monsters of Japan are Disappearing

[@GoNorthJapan]

I didn't talk about it in this video, but there's a species of moth, Epinotia piceae, and a type of beetle as well that have caused extensive damage to the fir trees in Zao that become snow monsters. Climate change has allowed them to venture farther north than they previous could. So there's a sort of dual threat the formation of snow monsters- both the warmer temperatures and unstable winter weather, and these pests that have penetrated farther north. Probably (hopefully) we'll have another decade of snow monsters, but the trajectory is clear.

[@Nynke_K]

Oh no!

[@bitfreakazoid]

"You heard it here guys, I just got 'jouzued'" LOL Dogan unable to recover.

[@GoNorthJapan]

Ahaha yeah

[@hollish196]

I love your videos because they offer so much repose for the mind. Seeing something new, something beautiful, and hearing your calm and kind voice explaining the sights is just a joy. Thank you so very much for sharing your adventures with all of us.

[@GoNorthJapan]

Thank you so much!! So glad you enjoy my videos!

[@laciancarr6635]

The that old man laugh was pleasing to the soul, I thought of my grandfather. And he was really happy to speak English should have asked him a little about himself old gentleman seems like a pistol..

[@bernaakgul3992]

So beautiful ❤

[@MinasanKonnichiwa777]

Just a guess - may be the accent and the confidence with which you said konnichiwa gave him an impression that your nihongo is indeed jouzu 😄 btw, loved this video. I used to think to see snow monsters we had to hike to super hard places but this one seems quite accessible. Moriyoshi is now in my saved location on google maps.

[@GoNorthJapan]

Yeah- Moriyoshi is really easy, just a long drive to get there! So glad you liked the video, thanks!!

[@halcyonandon]

What a beautiful mountain! I hope the snow monsters don’t disappear for good. Mountains are changing fast these days though with warming climates.

[@endangeredmarmot4518]

Beautiful. I love random encounters and pleasant conversations with other hikers like the gentleman you met - it adds a certain something to the overall experience.

[@GoNorthJapan]

So glad you liked it, thanks!

[@chrstopherblighton-sande2981]

You have no idea how much I'd love to spent time in that beautiful environment, it resembles a magical other world somehow, with trolls frozen in place; what a perfect place to get away from it all and just be surrounded by majesty. Your drone shot towards the end was gorgeous, I could have watched that for ages. I loved the man enthusiastically making the most of his meeting you to use his English. Lovely little encounter. I'm super proud to wear my GoNorth Japan t-shirts and love it when it gives me an opportunity to point people towards your channel which is a great window into northern Japan which I hope provides opportunities for people to be guided by you around those fantastic places. I hope I'll get a chance one day too.

[@GoNorthJapan]

I'm so happy about the T-shirts!! Thanks so much! Definitely hope you make it up here someday! Yeah- that hiker was really enthusiastic. I think he will contact me later this year about joining a guided hike up Mt. Iwate!

[@laelnewton6624]

Another beautiful, relaxing video, Quinlan! It's always such a pleasure to see a new one from you. If my friend and I manage to put together a Japan trip for our birthdays next April, I'll be sure to swing through Tohoku and hire you for a hike or snowshoe!

[@GoNorthJapan]

Fantastic!

[@xenawarriorhousewife2115]

This made me sad .. snow monsters are so beautiful. Hopefully everything will be ok.

[@Johannes238]

Although temperatures are rising in Japan and the snow is getting less, you are still so lucky to have such stable conditions at low elevations. Here in the Austrian alps the snow cover under 1500 was very short lived this year. Some ski resorts already had to close in February, back country skiing was possible only for a few weeks in many areas.

[@GoNorthJapan]

Wow, they closed in February? That is worrying!

[@Nynke_K]

The snow monsters may be thin but they're still beautiful! Also lol, last time I saw a video where you'd mirrored yourself I noticed that your face looked different, but this time I had to literally check if I could read the brands on your clothing 😅

[@GoNorthJapan]

Hahaha, yeah, the DJI Osmo 3 Pocket mirrors me automatically when I film in "selfie mode." I think I didn't notice it at first so forgot to flip it in the editing. But have remembered since!

[@tomburns7544]

What a wonderful landscape, Quinlan! Thank you! I am so glad I found your channel (via TAKASHii from Japan). It's very nice to see the beauty of Japan that is not focused only on Tokyo. If I ever make it to Japan, I will definitely look you up!

[@GoNorthJapan]

So glad you enjoyed it! Welcome to the channel! Definitely hope you can make it to north Japan!

[@avatarLT]

It seems even on your mountain climbing trips you should bring your business card :D :D Very nice hike and views ;)

[@htayhtayhlaing]

Love your video as always.

[@CelticUchuu]

Really nice winter views. In my part of Canada, winter has been very short this year. Hardly any snow until January and mostly gone by the end of February. Not that long ago there would have been a decent amount of snow by Xmas and snow would have been around until sometime in April.

[@michaelsmith7193]

What stunning views on that mountain! And I loved that conversation with the gentleman on the mountain - unanticipated encounters like that can make an outing so memorable! Thank you again for these amazing winter adventures!

[@GoNorthJapan]

So glad you enjoyed that! I agree on conversations up there. Meet so many nice people. Usually I don't film it, but sometimes it seems ok to!

[@manfredmarschik]

Thanks!

[@GoNorthJapan]

Thank you so much! It really makes a difference!

[@AverageBot]

Always glad when I see another video of yours. Just FYI but the /services page itself has no content for me (Except header/footer). Sub directories work on your page. Looks like "Local Guidance", "事業者向けサービス" etc is missing on this overview?

[@GoNorthJapan]

Doh, thanks for that! I guess that URL is incomplete.

[@pinklu64]

This just stunning, Quinlan. It’s so very different from my rather hot Perth where I’m from. You really do have an amazing job, out in beautiful natural environments. It’s why I love Japan so much. Though, I’ll be missing out on the snow for my next trip when I visit Aizuwakamatsu. Keep enticing us please with such wonders 👍

[@GoNorthJapan]

Oooh! Aizuwakamatsu is great!

[@theresalwayssomethingtobui944]

Great explanation on how the monsters form! Thank you!

[@chibacat1234]

I went deep in Nagano mountains for work the other day and was surprised by how little snow there was. Overnight, we got a snowfall and when I woke up, everything was completely white.... but it got so warm and sunny during the day that all the snow melted and the scenery was unrecognizable from what I had seen in the morning. I love the word "yukiguni", and all these places in Japan that are covered in snow in the winter... it is so sad and worrying to see things rapidly changing.

[@GoNorthJapan]

Sounds great to go deep into the Nagano mountains for work! Do we do the same job?

[@aryogono6338]

1:49 oh wow😮 you're right! You just got Nihongo jozued for just saying konnichiwa😅. Too bad he didn't get to find out that your Nihongo is actually jozu. 😊 5:09 now his eigo is jozu. You should have given him your business card since he sounded serious when he said he wanted you to guide him.

[@GoNorthJapan]

I didn't have my cards on me, but I told him how to find me. He just needed to remember Go North Japan...!

[@laurenbouchie2394]

Just beautiful, enjoying seeing the snow monsters each time you show them, its fun to see the different shapes.! It reminds me of the ocean coral maybe they should be called mountain snow coral!

[@GoNorthJapan]

Ooooh, I like that!

[@veejl]

Those are some breathtaking sights, both the trees and the general vista in the background! Thanks for taking us along, Quinlan! You mentioned the humidity required to form these "Snowmonsters". How's the humidity up there in the summertime? (mountains & lower altitudes) More bearable than e.g. Tokyo?

[@GoNorthJapan]

It's really pleasant above 1200 meters or so, even in summer! Very pleasant, breezy, not too humid!

[@kurofune.uragabay]

@7:31: Holy cow... just surreal. Thanks Quinlan. (Oh, and... _nihongo jouzu_ ! 😂)

[@GoNorthJapan]

Yeah, at 7:31 - that's Moriyoshi on a day with bluer skies. I took that footage last year!

[@kurofune.uragabay]

@@GoNorthJapan It's Kate Middleton all over again... 😂😉 So we might have seen footage from that flight before? Happy to revisit it, the proportion of wispy clouds to openings to the bright blue sky and that perfect fluffy snow is just 👌(mwah) . 🙏

[@shannawalton1076]

Man I miss being snowed in ❤.😅

[@kostassf]

Any chance for snow monsters healing this year ?? Any chance for snowing from now on ??? Or do we basically have to hope for better conditions next year ??

[@GoNorthJapan]

Sadly, they are done for this year. Next year we can hope they will be great!

[@Slewenski]

how sad, I do hope that the trees won't really disappear and this is just a bad year bu t...I think we all know the trend :(

[@keiserkosti]

Takk!

[@GoNorthJapan]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate that!!

[@keiserkosti]

@@GoNorthJapan always interesting to see what you’re filming. 😄

[@shannawalton1076]

I think I see Chris or Connor look alike in the snow monster right next to the shrimp 🍤 tail.

[@3tacoman]

Q dawg equals based

[@dianechaniewski293]

This was great Quinlan, thank you! When I finally visit Japan, I'm definitely spending a majority of my time in north Japan because of you (and our friend Sharla's) recommendations. ^_^ I will certainly hire you when I visit!

[@GoNorthJapan]

So glad to hear that! Thank you!!

[@danwong2191]

Stunning but sad about the effect of climate change

[@GoNorthJapan]

Yeah, it is.