It was discovered that the "Hyobaku" at Niogataki in Nishimeya, Aomori, collapsed on January 18 without reaching complete freezing.

The waterfall is known for its powerful icefalls that can be seen in the midwinter. It is a 33-meter-high direct waterfall type, and this year it was expected to freeze completely for the first time in February 2018 (Heisei 30). The icicles were steadily growing due to the effects of the cold waves that gathered from the beginning of the year, but it did not reach about 1 meter until complete freezing.

The Nishimeya Village Industry Division started observing on January 5, and posted photos taken at 9:00 every morning on Instagram. A person in charge of the section said, "It was still frozen in the observation on the afternoon of the 16th, but it seems that it had already collapsed on Twitter of the person who saw it on the morning of the next 17th."

At the "Niogataki Ice Festival" held on the 3rd Sunday of February every year, the freezing condition of the waterfall is used to tell the farmer. The festival was canceled this year due to the influence of the new coronavirus, but the light-up will be held from February 1st to 28th.

A person in charge of the section said, "Three years ago, it froze after the Niogataki Fall Festival. This year is still January. There may still be opportunities."