Shimo bashira

Now that we're in the middle of summer, it's a good time to publish some pictures of ice.  They're called Shimo bashira in Japanese. Apparently "needle ice" in English.

I think these are quite unusual, geographically speaking. I heard somewhere that they need volcanic soil that's wet and above freezing,  and air that is below freezing.

Obviously we haven't had any for a while.  
Charlie has a better picture. Have a look!