Giant rime-coated trees called "snow monsters" are welcoming tourists to the Hakkoda mountain range in Japan's northern prefecture of Aomori.

The winter scene can be viewed near the Summit Park Station of a ropeway in Aomori City, some 1,300 meters above sea level.

Snow monsters are created when wind-borne snow and ice stick to the branches and trunks of the area's pine trees. Some stand as tall as 4 meters.

The ropeway's operator says the daytime temperature near the summit station dropped to minus 6.2 degrees Celsius on Monday. But it says that didn't stop about 200 tourists from visiting the area to view the snow monsters in the morning.

A woman from Osaka, western Japan, said she felt lucky to be blessed by such fine weather.

A couple from Nara Prefecture described the scene as breathtaking, adding that it was much more beautiful than the last time they visited.

The ropeway operator says should the harsh and cold weather persist, the snow monsters can be viewed through late March.