Home / Editor's Pick /

Valentine's phenomenon: Japan's diamond jewellery ice

10:00
14 February 2025

Valentine's phenomenon
Japan's diamond jewellery ice

Jewellery ice washed up on Otsu beach in Toyokoro, Hokkaido.Jewellery ice washed up on Otsu beach in Toyokoro, Hokkaido. - © picture alliance

Every winter, Japan's Hokkaido coast is graced by a rare natural phenomenon called "jewellery ice", where the ice sparkles just like diamonds.

The weather is never in short supply of feeling romantic with Japan's jewellery ice. It is created along the country's Hokkaido coast and forms as ice from the Tokachi River breaks apart at the river's mouth and gets washed up on the beach.

Sand and waves together polish the ice to become extremely smooth and shiny. The phenomenon occurs only on Otsu Beach in Hokkaido, during the coldest days of winter, generally between January and February.

During winter, the temperature of the Tokachi River can drop below -20°C, but it can take a long time to freeze. This gives the ice a high transparency with no impurities.

Throughout the day, the angle of the sun bathes the ice rounds in different colours; in an orange glow at first light, to a deep blue later in the day.

Ski trip? Ski & Mountain weather in appread more
Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Sunday 8 June 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Moments of peace on a rainy week
Image of full moon with a red hue.
Tuesday 10 June 2025

Strawberry Moon turns red

Lowest full moon for decades to come
Wednesday 11 June 2025

Producing thunderstorms

Warnings for Friday as warm air arrives
All weather news
This might also interest you
Tuesday 17 June 2025

Breakfast brief

Some rain as heat stays steady
Sunday 15 June 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Spectacular sunrises and weather snaps
Wednesday 11 June 2025

Breakfast brief

Temperatures climb to the mid-20s
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info