‘Ice bamboo shoots’ growing in Hokkaido cave

Tourists are venturing into a cave in Hokkaido to see ice stalagmites, which are called “ice bamboo shoots.” Ice stalagmites are created when groundwater dripping from the cave’s ceiling freeze on the floor in temperatures of minus 3 to minus 5 degrees Celsius. About 5,000 ice stalagmites are found in Hyakujojiki Cave in Date city. They start forming around January and reach their peak size around the middle of February. Larger ones are more than 2 meters tall. Visitors can enjoy the crystalline formations through March. Source and image: NHK Share this:TweetEmail

February 19, 2016

Tourists are venturing into a cave in Hokkaido to see ice stalagmites, which are called “ice bamboo shoots.”

Ice stalagmites are created when groundwater dripping from the cave’s ceiling freeze on the floor in temperatures of minus 3 to minus 5 degrees Celsius.

About 5,000 ice stalagmites are found in Hyakujojiki Cave in Date city. They start forming around January and reach their peak size around the middle of February. Larger ones are more than 2 meters tall.

Visitors can enjoy the crystalline formations through March.