A sea of clouds engulfed Mount Aso in Kumamoto on December 13 as temperatures dropped below freezing in the mountainous areas of the prefecture in southwestern Japan.

Under clear skies, the five peaks of Mount Aso appeared above clouds that covered the area.

Visitors gathered at the Daikanbo lookout to take pictures.

S/ Visitor / We were passing by in our car and thought it was beautiful.

S/ Visitor / Yes, we stopped to etch this scenery into our memory.

S/ Visitor / I'm happy. We finally got to see it.

The low in the city of Aso was minus 2.8 degrees Celsius, a level usually observed in late January.